So, after 555 days it’s time to leave Cusco and Peru .
This has been the first stop on my ten-year global
odyssey, working as project manager, South America for UK charity
Globalteer. My job was to oversee all Globalteer projects in South America,
which meant managing Picaflor House, Globalteer's project for underprivileged children in the small town of Oropesa , not far from Cusco, and coordinating the
independent projects partnered with Globalteer in Peru
and in Colombia .
My responsibilities included such diverse duties as fundraising
and social media marketing, staff and volunteer management, accounts and
general administration, as well as teaching classes in English and Art.
It has been an extremely rewarding job and I am very
proud of the progress made at Picaflor House under my management. I can’t take
all the credit, of course, as I've had the support of a small but dedicated staff
and Picaflor House has played host to some magnificent volunteers, all of whom
contributed hugely to the success and growth of the project.
A few months ago, when I was writing Picaflor’s
annual report, we interviewed some of our children to get their impressions.
Their feedback was heartwarming. They spoke of the beauty and colour of our
flower gardens; of how much easier their schoolwork was because of the extra
support and tuition provided by our Picaflor House staff; of their love for our
classes in arts and crafts – they are very creative; of the usefulness of
learning English from native speakers; and of the fun they had on the days when
we played games and sports, allowing our kids just to be kids.
I have taken full advantage of my 18 months to see and
experience as much of the country and the culture as I could. I sweated in the
jungle of the Manu Biosphere. I hauled my aching leg muscles up the thousands
of steps at Machu Picchu .
I marvelled at the soaring flight of the huge condors at Colca Canyon
and I met the original Paddington Bear in the sanctuary of the Chappari Nature
Reserve. I sailed the sparkling blue waters of Lake
Titicaca and bounced as I walked on the floating man-made reed
islands of Uros. I visited more churches and cathedrals than I ever had in my
life before, and was enthralled by their magnificence and their architecture. I
was fascinated by mummies and lines at Nazca, and captivated by ancient
pyramids and glorious grave goods in the north of Peru .
I also explored a little of the rest of South America . The frequent need for new visas led to
three trips to Bolivia, a couple of long weekends in the sleepy lakeside resort
town of Copacabana and a ten-day tour that included the mesmerising salt flats
at Uyuni and the superlative scenery of the Reserva Nacional de Fauna Andina Eduardo
Avaroa further south, the picturesque capital of Sucre and bustling metropolis
of La Paz. And I survived the heart-stopping road trip down Bolivia ’s
notorious Death Road.
I loved the wonderful week I spent in Medellin , Colombia ,
visiting Globalteer’s partner projects and exploring that vibrant city. As well
as my meetings with enchanting Colombian children and hard-working project
staff, the highlights were my visit to the lush tropical paradise of the
botanical gardens and the art, in particular the voluminous bronze
figures of Colombia ’s
famous artist, Ferdinand Botero.
It
has been an incredible 18 months. When I came to Peru , I really had little idea what
to expect but my new life has exceeded all my expectations. I have met some
wonderful people, I have seen amazing landscapes and architecture, animals and
birds. Each and every day has brought some new sight, smell, taste or unique experience,
and I have felt more alive than I have in many years. Thank you , Peru .
I hope we meet again one day.
With my co-workers Luis, Johan and Sarah at Picaflor House |
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