Living in Peru : your everyday companion

by
Larry J. Pitman

To me they are the best of America: bright, young, optimistic and willing to take on a challenge that requires them to blend into a life completely different from the one they have known. They are working in many ways to contribute whatever they can to build a better life for Peruvians. More than that, they are developing a relationship and a love for Peru that will last a lifetime.

I refer to the U.S.Peace Corps, of course. Founded in 1961, more than 195,000 Americans have served in 139 countries, including me.

What is the purpose of this organization? (I quote from the official web-site) “The Peace Corps 'has three simple goals:
1.Helping the people of interested countries in meeting their need for trained men and women.
2.Helping promote a better understanding of Americans on the part of the peoples served.
3.Helping promote a better understanding of other peoples on the part of Americans.”

Several times a year I am invited to speak to a group of U.S. Peace Corps Volunteers who are finishing their two year tour of service in Peru. This is a treat for me. By listening to stories of their experiences in the smaller towns and villages of Peru, I get an opportunity to view a country far different from the one I experience in Lima.

Recently, for example, I was listening to a young man tell about his work in a small town outside of Arequipa. He is a specialist in small business development with a project that helps herders of alpacas market their products. He is also involved with a fish farm designed to bring extra revenue to this community. Neither of these projects is moving at a fast pace, something that has required him to learn to be patient and to gain an understanding of the difficulties of rural development.

However, he mentioned two spare time activities not related to these projects that just might be long remembered in his community. First, he is a very good soccer player and has become a valued member of the local team. Second, he has started a chess club with ten enthusiastic members using chess sets send from the U.S. by the Volunteer’s father. These are activities that build relationships that can change lives.

The Volunteers receive a small stipend which allows them to live at an appropriate level in the communities where they work. The above mentioned Volunteer, for example, told me that he and his wife (also a Volunteer) paid 60 soles (around US$20) a month for rent and shopped for food in the local market.

Many years ago I served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia. This was certainly one of the most important experiences in my life because I learned how the world looks from another viewpoint.

I should mention that these Volunteers have no funding available to support the projects they work with in these communities. If you would like to say thank you for their service and help them in their work, you can go to the Peace Corps web-site, look for donations, scroll down to Peru, and make a contribution.

I know that your contribution will be much appreciated and well used.

Add to del.icio.us | |