Tinkuy Peru

I have just spent 5 weeks living in Huancayo, volunteering at the Mountain School and it has definitely been a worthwhile experience. The children here are just adorable and so loving in spite of their sometimes troubled backgrounds. They always greet you with a big smile and a hug and a kiss, which is always a nice way for us to start the day! Many of them have lost one or both parents and live with step-parents or extended family members and the majority of them come from large, poor families, which mean they don't always get a lot of attention at home. For me this has been the most rewarding part, being able to give them love and attention and just play with them and make them laugh and smile. They love coming to the school and are eager to learn, they especially love to take work home to do as to them paper is a luxury. To be here for Christmas was especially rewarding. We organised a big party for the children and gave them all a bag of presents and a coat each, all of which was donated to another volunteer. This was one of the best days for me seeing how happy the kids were with their new toys and pencils etc. and especially the coat because most of them don't have one and they wear the same clothes most days, most of which are too small or have holes in. Seeing them wearing their jackets since when it has rained or when it's cold is just great. Although they now have their own land and building of the temporary school is well underway, the school is still very basic and they are lacking many things. One project that is really important is the building of showers, as many of the children don't have running water this will make a great change to their lives, being able to come and shower at the school each day. The volunteers here make a huge difference and really are necessary to the ongoing life of the school and the advancement of the project. I really have had the best 5 weeks and am going to miss everyone loads, I would definitely recommend Tinkuy Peru to anyone who is considering a volunteer project, any time you could give would be of great help to these children. I would like to thank Tino and his family for being so kind and inviting; I definitely hope to return one day.