Independence Day Festivities

Saturday 28th June was Independence Day in Peru which is also known as Fiestas Patrias (you may remember my other blog on this couple of weeks ago). Because Saturday was a special day and because the Step team were here, we had a special Jovenes which was all about Peru. 

The church was decorated in red and white and everyone was instructed to wear red and white as well because this is the colour of the Peruvian flag. 

What did we do, well we had a quiz which we had to answer questions about Peru with going to different points of the room where each place in Peru was represented - there was a model MachuPicchu for Cusco, some Nazca lines for Nazca, a model of El Misti for Arequipa etc. There were many confused people during this quiz and because there were only three Peruanas in my time, the rest English, Irish or Cuban we did not do very well with answering the questions. One thing we did learn was that we need to learn more about Peru, especially me and the Cuban who are living here! 

All Peruvians have a carnet which is their ID card here. I have one as well as am here for a year and it is necessary to have one to be able to stay a year or more. And on Saturday night the whole step team were given their own 'carnets' made by the church youth. This will be something they can keep to always remember their time in Peru by, was a cool idea. 

Some of the team with their Carnet's

After they got their carnet's, the whole team were made to get down on one knee and swear allegiance to Peru.

Swearing Allegiance

Airyn, Alejandra, Sandra, Jenny and Daniel (some of the Peruvians) showed us how to do different dances of Peru  - from the North of Peru to the South of Peru via the Jungle. And once they had shown us how to do the dance, we all had to get up and do the dance ourselves - was quite funny but also fun. For once in my life I got up and danced!

The dancers and their outfits 

It was a very fun and informative evening for our 'gringo' visitors. Think they had lots of fun and they were even treated to an empanada at the end. An empanada is the Peruvian version of a cornish pasty and is very tasty.

Everyone - the Jovenes and the Step Team

Stepping into Nuevas Fuerzas

On Sat 21st July a step team from England arrived in Arequipa. The team is made up of 15 people- they are a mixed age group with ages going from 12 upwards and they are a fantastic bunch. I have enjoyed getting to know them since Sunday and am looking forward to working with them further in the coming weeks.

It is holiday time in Peru at the minute due to Independence Day being on Saturday, all schools get two weeks off, so because of that and the team being here Nuevas Fuerzas changed this week and we met on Wednesday and today from 9am - 12pm.

It was great having the team there for them to see what happens at Nuevas Fuerzas and also to watch them connect with the young adults. I think the people who come to Nuevas Fuerzas were glad to see some new faces as well as get a chance to do new activities as the team brought a wide range of games and different activities with them.

Over the past two days as well as the normal activities of using computers, knitting and colouring in, we have had nail painting and jigsaw building (oh an aside here - in Spanish jigsaws are called rompecabezas, which made me laugh when I heard it because 'rompe' means 'breaks' and 'cabezas' means 'heads', so basically its breaking heads!!).

Kati, Rachel and Alejandro doing a jigsaw

And today the activity was painting canvas bags which went down really well and the people who got to make one really enjoyed it.

Kati concentrating hard on her bag

Maribel making her bag

The team also brought a parachute with them, and that is a fantastic item to play games with. We used to play with one in CSSM and had the added bonus there of sand flying in your face as CSSM games were mostly on the beach, when dry anyway! Thankfully here there was no sand, just a lot of moving the parachute up and down, throwing balls up and down on the parachute, laughing and running around.

Everyone under the Parachute

Not only were fun and games had, but the Step team sang songs in Spanish, did some drama and two of the members Michael and Tom shared their testimonies.

Anna and Alice doing the 'Chair' drama

Some of the team members plus Axel (from NF) singing 

I think the members of Nuevas Fuerzas really enjoyed the two days, I know I did. And it was nice to see Manuel get up at the end and thank the team for coming and bringing all the games and activities which have been kindly donated to Nuevas Fuerzas.

Manuel with Paul translating for the team

Over the next five days the Step team will be leading a Holiday Bible Club in my church and leading the service on Sunday. Please do pray for the team, for their health and safety and for energy levels as well. 

For more photos please click here and here. 

Culture Project 3: The Peruvian Health System

Since I have been sick so often in Peru and seen so many doctors my mentor thought it would be a good idea if I looked into the Peruvian health system more for a culture project as I have only seen one side of it, and that is the private health care system.

As far as I can tell the health system in Peru has two sectors, the public and the private which is the same back home as well. However, within the public sector there are two types of national insurance.

The first is called Seguro Integral de Salud (SIS) which is run by the Peruvian Ministry of Health which is also known as MINSA. SIS means comprehensive health insurance and the aim of it is to protect the health of Peruvians who cannot afford health insurance – it gives priority to those who are vulnerable e.g those in poverty. About 18% of the population who receive this are in rural and urban areas where poverty is greater.  Qualification for SIS is based on an individual or family’s economic level and is funded with regular resources from the government.  This reminds me of the NHS really.

The second type of insurance is called El Segure Social de Salud del Peru (EsSalud) and it is given through employment for working families and individuals.  There are special EsSauld facilities and hospitals. The benefits of this are finances by employer contributions which is equivalent to 9% of the wages of workers.  This insurance covers about 20% of the population.  This sounds a bit like BUPA to me.

Apparently one of the biggest disadvantages of SIS and EsSalud is the waiting time to receive appointments or schedule an operation – it is usually a long time. Well to be that definitely sounds like the NHS at times.

Then there is the private healthcare system which I have experience firsthand, where you can turn up at clinics and wait in a queue to see a specialist but have to pay about 100 soles (£25) for each visit.  This is very good as you can see a specialist when you are actually suffering from the problem. I know you can do this in Britain, but still think there is a bit of a waiting time before you have an appointment, whereas here you just turn up and sit and wait in a queue. 

Fiestas Patrias

Next Saturday, the 28th July is Independence Day in Peru. And because there will be no language school for two weeks we had an activity today teaching us about the Peruvian Day of Independence which is also called Fiestas Patrias.  

On the 28th, Peru celebrates its independence from the Spanish Empire which was won by General Jose de San Martin in 1821.

The 29th July is also celebrated too, this is in honour of the armed forces and the National Police of Peru (one interesting fact about the police that I have picked up here, is that most of them are women - interesting). 

Today we were given a presentation about the war of independence and told about all the different aspects of Peru, the music (one interesting thing I learnt here was that the song El Condor Pasa originates from Peru - have always known the tune but never the name of it or where it came from).Click on the link to hear the song and see some beautiful pictures of Peru El Condor Pasa.

We were also told about the different foods - have eaten most of them, except for one which is Anticuchos. And the reason why I have not eaten that and am not sure I ever will is because it is the heart of a cow. I like to embrace the culture, but somethings I have to draw the line at.  

And we also got to taste one of the famous drinks of Peru which is Pisco Sour. The name is a mixture of the Quecha word Pisco which means Bird and the term Sour. It consists of the liquor called Pisco, lime or lemon juice, ice, egg white and Angostura bitters. It is all mixed in a blender served with some cinnamon on top. It is usually drank as as an aperitif after a meal, and is actually quite tasty (only had it once mind!)

Edgar making the pisco sour and Pedro watching on

We all also sang the national anthem, though I got very confused at this as they seemed to be repeat lines and I was on another line when others where still on the line above. But it was fantastic actually seeing and hearing the Peruvians sing their own national anthem - they put their heart and soul into it and seem to actually mean what they are singing. And while they are singing their left hand is over their heart. 

All singing the National Anthem

To hear the National Anthem please click here

Coming up to Independence Day it is easy to see that the Peruvians are proud to be from Peru and are their heritage is very important to them. Most people are wearing a red and white ribbon and the shops have them on their walls and the Plaza de Armas is decorated as well. 

Decorated for Independence Day

Am looking forward to seeing more celebrations over the week and next weekend as well.

In sickness and in health!!!

It has been a while since I have blogged, but that is because I have been sick most of July and have not been working but been in my sick bed and getting to know the health system of Peru very well (well I was told to learn about the culture when am here, and that is part of the culture - no!)

I started of the beginning of July with Vertigo  - most people think this is a fear of heights, but its not, its an infection of the inner ear and when you have it your head is practically spinning (no, not like the exorcist) and you feel like you are constantly on a boat swaying from side to side. 

I have had Vertigo two times before back in old blighty, but never knew till now that Vertigo is linked to having other infections - so because I had an infection in my colon, I ended with a spinning head. 

To all those who have had Vertigo, am not making light of this because I know after three times that it is terrible to have. Sorry to all the vertigo sufferers - I sympathise.

Now we are in the middle of July and in the midst of recovering from my Vertigo, I go and take another illness, this time the doctor thinks I have a Kidney infection but am still waiting on results to find out for definite.

So since I have been to Peru I have had the flu, stomach problems, colon infection, vertigo and now a possible kidney infection - which has meant many visits to different doctors (a GP, a ear specialist and two gastric specialists), visits to many laboratories to get blood and various other tests and the taking of many different medications - I swear if you shake me I would rattle..... what is that song, shake, rattle and roll (yeah may roll with the Vertigo)

In all my cultural projects I have to say what I have learnt when finding out about the different cultural aspects of Peru, so with these cultural experiences, I have found that I actually quite like the Peruvian health system - the docs are thorough and you can see a specialist on the same day or in the same week you have the problem without having to wait for months on end.

One of the gastric doctors I saw was called Dr Jesus so thought he was a good man to see! Oh and another thing have learnt, all the doctors here have very cold hands  - but maybe that is the same anywhere because have had doctors in England with cold hands too.

Postscript: - because of my illnesses I have not been to the Children's Home in a few weeks and will not be there for another few weeks as having Vertigo and running after kids do not mix. Please do continue to pray for the home and for my part in it. Thanks

Congratulations Queenie

The United Kingdom celebrated the Queen's Jubilee about 4 weeks ago, but here in Peru time is different, and we celebrated the jubilee on Monday this week.

The International Colegio (which is British/Peruvian) was holding a special service for the jubilee and because the Latin Link missionaries are all British/Irish/Part of the Commonwealth then we were all invited as special guests. The British Consul was also there and he was wearing a kilt, but not just any kilt, he was wearing an Irish kilt.... very nice - though not as colourful as the Scottish ones are. 

It was an interesting morning, we sang the Peruvian and British national anthem while the flags were raised on the flag poles, listened to a devotion based on two people on the throne - symbolised by their crowns - there was the crown of the Queen and the crown of thorns of Jesus. From what I understood of it, it was a very good devotion - drawing out that there is only one true King, that is Jesus Christ.

During the morning we heard the occasional sound of bagpipes which Cecily who is from Scotland appreciated. We were also treated to a rendition of Amazing Grace sang in both English and Spanish - as usual during that song there were tears in my eye but hearing in Spanish was special... there is something about the Spanish language when it is sung, its beautiful. And when spoken to, just not by me!! 

At the end of the morning the band started playing Land of Hope and Glory and I felt like I was at the last night of the proms! 

There was a special 'breakfast' for us 'special guests' as well after the service, this included cornflake krispies, egg sandwiches, cucumber sandwiches, shortbread, ginger but biscuits, scones with jam, English tea plus other things. But the best thing of the 'breakfast' had to be the two cakes - they had pictures of the Queen on it, one from when she became Queen 60 years ago and one of her now. 

It was very nice and was an enjoyable morning especially for someone who is Irish!  Here are some pictures for you: 

Congratulations to the Queen from the International Colegio

The Food Table

The Two Cakes

The British Consul (with his Irish Kilt), Rosemary Gibson (Latin Link Representative of the Colegio) and the Consuls wife.

To see more photos please go to: https://picasaweb.google.com/100676954376098189077/QueenSJubileeAtTheInterColegio?authkey=Gv1sRgCInLxejXxdihbg

El Dios de Amor

Tuesdays and Thursdays see me working in Nuevas Fuerzas and Wednesdays during my visiting... so what do I do the rest of the week? Well on Fridays (3pm - 6pm) and Saturdays (1pm - 6pm) I work in El Dios de Amor which is a children's home run by Jose and Gloria Ingalls.

There are 20 kids in the home aged between 8 months and 15 years old - they are all so different and like Nuevas Fuerzas no day is the same. There are 13 girls and 7 boys. As well as having 20 kids, there are also 3 Cats, 2 Dogs, 5 Chickens, 2 Turtles, 4 Parrots and 21 other birds - so it is a very lively place. 

One of the dogs hiding  - in need of peace!!

On Friday's I go to the home and help them wash their clothes - this is an interesting experience as it is done by hand and there are more soap suds over the kids and the floor then there is on some of their clothes! I have to make sure the clothes are washed properly and all the dirt is off them and also to make sure then they are washed, they are rinsed and hung up properly. As you can imagine with 20 kids the washing line is very full and sometimes there is no where to hang the clothes up so clothes can be found in interesting places.

Then on Saturday when I go, I have to make sure said clothes are now in order in the bedrooms, folded properly and put away neatly  - if not folded properly then they have to be folded again. I have to also make sure all the uniforms are in the right places so on Monday there is not a struggle trying to find a skirt or pair of trousers. 

The boys are chancers at this and always try to tell me that their clothes are not theirs etc.. but actually the boys are the tidiest - their room is always tidy and usually no problems whereas the girls are so messy - I was expecting this to be the other way round. 

I also help them do their homework, which they love when it comes to their English work and expect me to give them all the answers - this is for me the easiest homework to help with - tried to help a girl with her Maths and was useless at it - Maths was never my strong point. I am also meant to make sure they have done all their homework before we go to the park, but again they are chancers at this and say they have done it or have none to do!! Typical kids, I was never like that.... I always did my homework!!

Lunchtime is always a laugh as you can imagine with 20 kids at the table.

Lunch Time

I have managed to get all the boys names correct but still struggle with the girls names, hopefully one day I will get them right... now I understand why my Mum calls me ChrisJo Anne...as am calling the girls different names to get to the right ones, but like me when it comes to my Mum, they correct me very quickly.

Last Friday night they were taking part in a dancing competition (unfortunately my camera died on the night so have no photos) so they have been practicing while I have been there - they did not win, but they were excellent (They won last year).... really really good dances, especially two of the boys Alfredo and Jossep, excellent.

Practicing their Dancing

Again am looking forward to what the next few months brings from the home and getting to know the kids better.