Village
newsletter
July 17, 2023
Issue 009
A VISIT TO PERU - A LAND OF ABUNDANCE
By Gerida Kalipinde
This past June team members, Claudia Lugo and Daniel Gomez, visited Peru, a land that is popularly known for its diverse ecosystem. The team visited our El Darwin Library located in Nauta, a small town in the Amazon to deliver Chromebooks, microphones, splitters and headsets that are required for the virtual programs that we offer. In the rural village of Nauta, there are no cars or buses, and the Marañon River which runs through the area is one of the rivers that make up the Amazon River.
Mentor Experience Director, Daniel Gomez, expressed that they received great support from the community during the trip. “For us, even though Claudia and I are native Spanish speakers, it was difficult to understand their type of Spanish, so we had to ask them occasionally to repeat what they had said. They were always very patient with us.”
Our Latin American Director, Claudia Lugo, said that even though they faced some challenges during the trip such as harsh weather, they still managed to achieve their goals with the help of the community members.
According to Claudia, the weather was a big challenge, because it was so hot and humid. “I ended up getting sick, but fortunately Daniel bought me some medicinal tea and I felt better so I could continue working on our goals. We relocated to the closest city which was two hours away and searched for the best providers and devices we could find there.”
The team was able to install the internet at the library and also trained the school headmaster and teacher in accessing the library’s digital tools and communication platforms.
They stated that they had unique experiences during the trip which provided valuable insights into the social reality of students, who oftentimes lack both family and academic support.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT- MEET TITUS MHANGO
YEWOH KANYINJI
Titus is determined to defeat the challenges and years of study that lie ahead in order to fulfill his desire to bring healing and comfort to those who require medical attention.
Beyond academics and his future profession, Titus finds solace and joy in the world of sports, in particular football.
He stated ,“I love playing football because it is a sport that allows me to engage in friendly competition and also, at the same time, helps me to be physically fit. It also teaches me life skills such as teamwork, discipline and perseverance.”.
