The "school"

Hi everyone!

Im settling in well, there are lots of other really nice volunteers here, 7 in total. Some live in the other volunteer house and we all eat there together. Had a look around the town centre yesterday, which was pretty but very small. I would load some photos but this computer doesnt have a usb drive!

The house Im staying in is nice and has cable TV so loads of programs and films in English hehe, not very Peruvian I know but its nice to have some home comforts. They dont have much hot water, if any and the toilet doesnt flush but oh well!

The last couple of days Ive been up to the school. And well its not a school, more like a small outbuilding that we run in the afternoon for the street kids in one of the poorest areas. Its more like an after school club and the kids are realy young so generally they just colour in things we bring for them because they are too young to learn English. Yesterday I taught a couple of girls the colours in English which was great. The kids all give you a hug and a kiss when they leave.

When I first went to Ladrillera (as the school is called) it was quite hard. The bulding is small but painted inside with cool pictures of the alphabet and stuff. When the kids turn up they have to wash their hands and faces in the sink with the soap because they are generally filthy. The raod outside the building is dirt and since its the dry season very dusty. A lots of the kids will help their parents in the brick factory next door the the building which is where the school gets its name from. The factory is just carving bricks out of the mountain side. Once the kids have washed they get some cream for their faces because their skin is so dry it cracks. Its amazing how much they love the cream and they run up to you asking for more and more.

there is one girl who is around 7 years old and always carries her baby sister on her back everywhere. She takes good care of her and the other kids help too which is sweet, but they are not as careful as they perhaps should be and I did wonder whether many babies dies by accident while in the care of their very young siblings...´

In happier news Im going to the jungle this weekend to see waterfalls and local communities which will be great! I had to pay extra but its 2 nights in a hotel and its good value. So thats where Im off tomorow!

Hope everyone back home is good´
lots of love
xxxx