Posted in Peru on November 27, 2025
November 23rd: A Time for Learning & Exploration
Our volunteer team landed in Peru and spent our first day getting a lay of the land. We explored historical sites and learned about the unique architecture of the local buildings!
During the day, we enjoyed a bus ride packed with Peruvian soccer fans. The bus was filled with chanting and singing. Later, we savored tasty Piscos and chocolate at the museums and wrapped up the day with a team dinner.
Nov 24th: Breaking Ground
We were ready for our first day at the San Obrero school! After all the preparation and planning for this trip, we were excited to get to work.
The hour long drive to the school was an adventure in itself, giving us a clearer view of Lima and its diverse neighborhoods. Our travels started in the vibrant downtown, flowed into the suburbs, and ended at the hilltop settlements. The roads changed from paved and wide to overwhelming and congested, and finally to bumpy, unpaved, winding, narrow, and steep.
The vegetation was unlike most North American cities. The further we went into the mountains, the drier and dustier it became. At the school, clouds of dust were a constant companion.
When we arrived, we were greeted warmly by the staff and spent the morning listening to presentations and learning about the school, its purpose, and its history. We then toured the school and saw all the work done so far. The school was having a day of celebration, so we joined right in with the kids and played some games!
Nic was awarded the role of MC. The games involved plenty of screaming and cheering, and we quickly learned that some of our Urban Systems team aren’t great at spelling words under pressure—while others have surprising tug-of-war skills!
After all the fun, it was time to get to work. We spent the afternoon moving dirt, washing walls, picking rocks, preparing a garden, building scaffolding, and getting things ready to plaster a main wall in the coming days. Overall, it was a great start, and we were tired but in high spirits on the drive back to the hotel.
Nov 25th: Seeing the Programs in Action
This morning, a small group of us ventured out early and joined the school’s morning bus route. The bumpy ride gave us a glimpse of all the busy stops, more of the area, and the surrounding settlements.
Once at the school, we helped with the breakfast program and had the chance to meet the group of parents who run it. We were struck by how much this program supports the community, not only by serving nutritious meals to kids, but also by offering supervision while parents are at work, fostering social skills and manners, and providing nutrition and cooking lessons for parents.
The group shared many creative ideas for new programs, and everywhere we went at the school, we felt welcomed and appreciated the opportunity to exchange ideas and experiences.
November 26th
The bus program was such an enjoyable experience for us, especially watching the kids gather with their friends. We were impressed to see that each of the three stops had a designated student responsible for coordinating and organizing the group as they waited for the bus.
Once at the school, we helped serve breakfast to the children, who were kind and patient despite the language barrier.
Later, some of us visited the home of a local student. At first, the mother seemed nervous and uncomfortable, but she became more relaxed as the conversation progressed. She even introduced us to her chickens and guinea pigs! We named her chicken Amy, her rooster Dimitri, and her newest guinea pig Jasmine, who was born that very morning.
We used this opportunity to ask questions about her home, her experience with the school and community, and her family life. She was open to sharing, and we learned so much from the visit, feeling grateful for her hospitality.
Back at the school, the students gave a presentation about the Prominat program, which aims to raise awareness about children’s rights, bullying, and domestic violence. The program provides a safe environment for students to share their experiences and discuss ways to address these issues. They also proposed expanding the Foundation’s current transportation initiative.
The students shared concerns about the current bus program. Currently, the high school bus program only provides morning transportation to school and does not offer an afternoon return. Local bus drivers often avoid picking up students because they pay a reduced fare, making it difficult for them to get home. The students voiced a need for an afternoon route to be added.
Lastly, we continued our work on the building and began digging a trench to run the waterline to the new space.
November 27th: Pushing Through
Today, a couple of us stayed back to get some extra rest, but spirits stayed high. Using our best Duolingo Spanish, we managed to stop the bus and buy extra water since our translator stayed behind.
Four of us headed to the school early to join the bus program and meet with the mothers involved in the scholarship initiative. We were introduced to the future electricians, pastry chefs, and hair stylists of Lima. The mothers proudly shared the certificates they’ve worked so hard to earn.
Once the rest of the group arrived at the school, we split into teams. One half continued preparing for the opening of the new pastry workshop and kept installing tile, while the other half traveled into Lima to purchase and donate several items requested by the principal, including tables, cabinets, and tablets.
We regrouped for a well-earned lunch of delicious pork chops, rice, and fresh mangos! Afterward, we divided again. One team returned to tiling and began installing the pathway that will connect the bathrooms and shower of the new building, while the other visited the home of two children in the breakfast program. There, we learned about daily life on the outskirts of Lima, heard firsthand how the program has supported the family, and even got to hold some week-old puppies.
By late afternoon, we were all back together. We wrapped up the day with a few cold beverages and took a moment to admire the progress we’ve made so far.
November 28th: Saying Goodbye
The final day at the school was filled with hard work, joy, laughter, tears, and celebration. Our team was grateful to have a couple of volunteers back on site to help with the last push to get the pastry kitchen ready for its grand reveal. Throughout the morning, they focused on finishing the concrete pad and cleaning up the site area. Learning how to mix concrete on the ground proved fascinating, as it required many hands and a lot of shoveling to move it quickly.
After a busy morning, we enjoyed one last home-cooked meal served by community volunteers before returning for final cleanup ahead of the 2 p.m. celebration. When we arrived back at the pastry kitchen, we were amazed at how quickly staff and volunteers had set up for the farewell. Music welcomed us, along with a student performing two songs on the violin, accompanied by other students showcasing traditional dances.
The celebration continued in the pantry kitchen, where everyone was treated to delicious food prepared by a student, blessings from a community elder, and a toast to a successful week. The children’s kindness and joy were unforgettable, and the staff and teachers were incredibly welcoming, sharing so much knowledge throughout the visit. Leaving the school and saying adiós to their new Peruvian friends was an emotional moment for the entire team.
Posted in Peru on November 27, 2025
