Youth for Change

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On our second day in Cajamarca, my group and I visited Huayapongo School, half an hour away from Hacienda Collpa. At first, I thought the car stopped in their school playground, as they were expecting us on a place I assumed was the patio. Then I realized it was the road next to the school; cars and trucks were passing by.

We played several games there with the kids for about half an hour, and then entered each grade’s class. My sub-group had to teach English to first and second graders. I thought it would be simple, but it was not. They had to learn how to say: “My name is…”, “Good morning”, “Good afternoon”, “Goodnight” and the primary colors. You had to repeatly pronounce each name, and answer every question several times. I was the one in charge of teaching the colors. We wrote the names of each color (red, green, yellow and blue) on the blackboard, and had to pronounce the “r” in a different way, because the children could not articulate it correctly.

Many of the children were very enthusiastic! When they knew the name of a color, we gave him or her some candy. I felt a bit guilty for damaging their teeth, but they were really grateful and did not bother at all. After that, the teacher showed us how to dance the Cashua, a typical dance of Cajamarca. We had fun dancing with the kids and listening to the music. Shortly after, the children left and we ate some typical food of Cajamarca. Later, we had to fix some of their classrooms; my group had to build murals. It was the first time I was able to nail a nail properly. Then we varnished the wood and signed with our names at the back.

Visiting these schools helped me face other realities which are present in my own country. These kids do not have the facilities we have here; there is no wooden floor, only cement or soil. There is no easily availible water, except bottled water in a store next to the school. There are no bathrooms: there are holes in the ground. Is this fair? Shouldn’t we help them?

This experience also helped me developing my teaching dynamics, because it is very difficult to get six year olds to pay you any attention at all! At the end of the day, I everyone involved in InterCAS,  were very tired, but felt satisfied and grateful of having aided these people. Finally, they danced some other typical songs and we left. I hope I can return there some day.

I have also worked with children from other schools, improvised a comic scene to entertain some people, worked with the elderly and other girls my age for a couple months, and worked with the IB Diploma program.

Sidenote: So put your kids in the IB Diploma programme, folks! Lol, just kidding.  Victoria M., Peru

At school we had this annual day where we could make up projects like baking waffles, and that sort of stuff, to raise money for the school's charity; an orphanage and school they build in eastern Europe. One year I sold roses with little quotations on them like, "Friends are the family we choose for ourselves" wisdom thingies like that, on the market which was really difficult for me because I'm rather shy and I had to ask strangers on a very busy market if they would buy my roses lol but it was great and we made good money. And the year before that I helped out with a group that had a pudding throw idea. When you payed 50 cents, you could throw pudding at teachers and students *who really stood there* (not pictures!) and I did that as well. I was all covered in pudding, lol.

I also did some charitable work in a elderly people house which was a lot of fun.. I just went there have a chat with these people who don't get a lot of visitors and whose days are really boring for the most part but anyways it was great and they're so appreciative  And at elementary school we always ran for money to give to charities.  Jenny L., the Netherlands.

One of my favorite things is to volunteer! I love the feeling when you make someone's day better; even if its as simple as helping someone with homework after school. Joining your school or church's volunteer group, or creating your own, will definately help you in the future. Volunteering also looks great on your resumé.

One of the things I do every year is the CROP Walk. Me, and many people from my church, walk for those in Africa who walk many miles to the nearest water pump every single day. This event, and many events like it nationwide, is organized by Church World Service.

I have also been part of an event called "Give Us 4 Day", where we volunteer four hours to helping elderly people rake leaves, wash windows, etc. This is one of my favorite events, as I can get to know some of the people we are helping. Besides doing the usual food and clothing drive; during my school trip to Peru, we played with the elementary school kids in a poor community there. This experience was mindblowingI have also volunteered doing office work at my church, worked at a homeless shelter through my church's "Fast That Lasts" program, among others.

I think if more people volunteered, the world would definately be filled with more happiness; and would be a better place. Zach K., USA

Yes, it's interesting working without earning money because it's giving your heart and life to people in need. I am volunteering at the Entebbe Resource Center in computer training. Well, I am not very qualified and this limits me, but I would wish to qualify in any field if there is a chance. And i would feel very happy if one can organise me to voluteer in a 3rd world country away from my home country Uganda, because i think it will be interesting. So any body with such an oppurtunity please conact me. Ka22, Uganda

I once helped clean along a coastal area, where we found allot disgusting stuff! I also prepared a brochure (7 pages long) for ActionAid Hellas, where I informed people about ActionAid and how they could help. I've also fundraised at the Hellenic Center for Cancer, with many other students at my old school. The center is doing allot of research about cancer and they test many poor people and so on.. It was actually very very funny.  I liked it...:) I think they were succeful. Haris S., Greece 

Photo Credits: YMCA (youth picture) and Buytaert.com (rake picture)