1st day of project work and workshops

Blog Entry for Monday, August 5, 2013

Photographers and BLOG authors: Ade and Danny

After a week of getting to know Lima and Ollantaytambo, we started our first day of work on the Inca Terraces of Santa Rosa today. We started off carrying huge eucalyptus logs for about a mile to the worksite. Afterwards, we sat down and looked at the architectural plans for the Kuska School which is a private school surrounded by the beautiful landscape of the snowcapped mountains of Peru. Kuska currently has about eight students but is hoping to expand to service many more children in Ollantaytambo.

Peeling bark off of the trees, carrying logs and planning out the foundation consumed the first half of our day. After three hours of strenuous work our shoulders and backs were aching but we thankfully returned to our homestay for lunch.

 At the three PM, we all piled into the Municipalidad, where we held our first free workshops for the children of Ollantaytambo. The workshops were arts, crafts, music, sports and games. After starting the workshop slowly, we were met with an influx of kids, all eager to make bracelets, play capture the flag, and learn new songs.  It was a great experience because we got a chance to communicate with the kids (ages 7-12) in Ollataytambo and learn more about them. It was exciting to see the happiness that our workshops provided them and we left feeling very accomplished.  Overall, today has been a busy but fulfilling day and we are all excited to see what is in store.

Dear Mom and Dad,

I am having a great time in Peru. I am learning how to cook (I know you would be happy about that) and am washing my clothes by hand. Miss ya!

Dear Demi,

How is camp? I saw the soccer players from the New York Redbulls at the airport before we left. Sorry, I didn’t take any pictures L Miss ya lots

Love,

Ade

Hola Familia!

¿Cómo están? Me la estoy pasando bien con mi familia aquí y mis amigos. Los extraño a todos y nos veremos pronto. Les quiero mucho mama, papa, Sergio, Angel, y Sandra.  Muchos abrazos y besos.

Con amor,

Danny