July 29th Day 1

Leaders of the day: Ade and Danny
Photographers: Jenna and Micheal

This morning we went to Manchay, a community outside of Lima. This is a community of about 40,000 people living in a relatively small area of land. A number of philanthropists have invested time and money developing this community, and in a sense this community is a model for economic development in impoverished areas. The presence of the church also has a powerful effect on the state of education in the region and the availability of health centers. We met with Father Lyn, a local priest, who gave us a tour of the community and showed us a senior center, some local schools, health centers, and churches funded by the church.

 During the tour, Matt stumbled upon a soccer game and asked if he could join. Thus, Groton students Jenna, Stefano, and Matt crashed a local soccer game. The rest of the students cheered on as their peers played with the locals.

 We stopped at the Pampa de Amancaes restaurant for lunch before continuing our journey to a beach, where Sam and Lilly decided they wanted to dip their feet into Pacific waters. Then Senora Viacava took us to look around the different towns of Lima, Miraflores and Barranco, and we saw El Parque de Amor, which included a statue that Matt thought was two wrestlers but was actually a statue of two lovers kissing. Mr. Das ushered us away promptly. For dinner we ate at Mangos in Larcomar, an underground restaurant with a nice ocean view. After dinner we saw fireworks for the Peruvian holiday “El Feliz Veintiocho”, Peru’s independence day which is similar to America’s Fourth of July.

Much thanks to Pedro Pablo Kuczynski (Suzy’s dad) for organizing our trip to Manchay.

 Hi mom and dad I had a wonderful first day and Peru, I hope you guys are doing well. Love you – Michael You

Hi Dad, Mom, and Chris, I had an amazing first day in Peru! Love and miss you both lots! xoxoxo –Jenna Blouin

School compound in Manchay

Manchay handicap school

Manchay

Manchay

A few new friends

soccer game

Manchay

Manchay

In the hotel Lobby

Lunch time

On the pacific ocean