09 December 2006

Mr Holland´s Opus

Sorry we haven´t blogged for a while, but technology is not treating us well. I have no email and my last blog simply disappeared before I could save it. I won´t repeat it, but it was all about rafting down the Inca Sacred Valley. I´ll try to post some photos as they probably tell the story better than words.

We´ve just finished our first week of work at the school and while we are working quite hard, it is extremely rewarding. After a few disastrous classes, I think I´m getting into the swing of it and it is a great feeling when you see the kids get something. Last night I taught an English class for teenagers - thankfully with some help from Jane and Jared - and it really worked. Even though they are normal teenagers and play up a bit they are so grateful. There is no poverty in Australia the equivalent of that in Pumamatra, but they are proud and resourceful people with a very strong sense of community.

Peru´s Challenge volunteers have achieved great things in Pumamarca and, through the school, are helping a new generation access opportunities they could never have hoped for in the past. The village has only just been connected to electricity, but its children will be able to speak Spanish, read and write. Until Peru´s Challenge became involved many of Pumamarca´s kids had never even visited Cusco which is less than 10 km away.

It´s not all work though and this morning Hol, Phoebe and I went to town to visit an Inca Museum. It is also a public holiday and a parade of saints was passing through the Plaza De Armas. Incredible colour.

On Sunday we are going to watch Cusco ¨futbol¨ team play, which should be an experience. They are one of the top sides in Peru and only lost in the final last year. (Danny, Hol has been playing with the Pumamarca kids and holding his own - not so his dad, but that is another story)

I´m out of time. And hopefully this won´t disappear before it is posted.

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a pity you lost your post-rafting write-up. I was so much looking forward to reading about it, but I hope your photos will tell those "thousand words". Is Tiff receiving emails? I sent one on 1st December, I'd like to send another but want to know if you're likely to receive it. Enjoy your futbol game and keep those blog entries coming. Hasta luego.

Anonymous said...

We went to a play you would have enjoyed on Sunday evening."A Local Man",about the musings of Ben Chifley(early prime minster)written by Bob Ellis and his co author Robin McLachlan. Bob Ellis sat in our friends seat just in front of us.
He sat all over Betty Davis he is very" prosperous"in his bodily
proportions.
Are you getting your emails yet?
it may be that your mail box is
jammed full.It probably needs
some one to empty it possibly
over here.