VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY: AMANTANÍ (PUNO)

Amantani island is located in the Peruvian side of Tititcaca Lake at 38 Km from the city of Puno. The main economic activities in Amantani are agriculture and farming.

January 3rd, 2010:
The group had a homestay experience with families of the area to share their cultures. They also provided educational materials for the local libraries of two rural communities: Villa Orinojon and Lampayuni.

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VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY: CHALHUANCA (AREQUIPA)

Chalhuanca is located near the “Colca Canyon”, the most important tourist attraction in Arequipa because it is known to be the second deepest canyon in the world. In spite of that, few people come to visit Chalhuanca. The community is isolated and forgotten, and a large proportion of the population lives in poverty. During winter season, this village is one of the most affected by the cold temperature that sometimes can reach below -20 C.

January 2nd, 2010:
The group spent the morning sharing with the children of the local school of Chalhuanca: I.E. N° 40399 "Juan Velasco Alvarado” and provided them with warm clothes for the winter. The local children recited poems and danced with traditional costumes for us. Two BWY participants had the opportunity to wear traditional clothes during the hours we stayed in here.

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VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY: EL CARMEN (ICA)

El Carmen is popular within the country as a place where the Afro-Peruvian race is predominant in all cultural manifestations.

December 30th, 2009:
We assisted the Afro Peruvian Cultural Center San Daniel Comboni (CCA) for children of the district, by making paper lanterns with them and participanting in a parade to promote their activities. We also provided them with materials for their library.

At the end of the parade, members of the the renowned Ballumbrosio family treated us with an artistic show that included dance and live music.

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VOLUNTARY ACTIVITY: PISCO (ICA)

Pisco was very near the epicenter of the 8.0-magnitude earthquake which struck south central Peru on August 2007. Pisco originally prospered because of its nearby vineyards and is the namesake of the Peruvian grape liquor, pisco.

December 30th, 2009:
We assisted the NGO “Espacio Expresion” in their cultural activities for the youth in Pisco by donating 10 “cajones peruanos” (Peruvian music instrument) and the tuition for classes to learn how to play this instrument in order to reinforce their identity through music. We also shared information about SWY program with local youth, visited the restored wetland area of Pisco Playa and had a social luncheon.

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VOLUNTARY ACTIVITIES SUMMARY

Peru is a land with wonderful marvels, but with communities in need as well. That’s what we wanted to show to our participants, the real Peruvian face. In order to achieve that, we tried to get them involved in different kind of social works in different places on our way. We included coast and highland communities in different poverty scales. In each place we tried to create an environment of partnership, solidarity and cultural exchange.

The communities visited follow:

• PISCO (ICA) - December 30th, 2009
• EL CARMEN (ICA) - December 30th, 2009
• CHALHUANCA (AREQUIPA) - January 2nd, 2010
• AMANTANÍ (PUNO)- January 3rd, 2010

Peru SWYAA members, the organizing committee and BWY participants, but especially the people of Chalhuanca, Pisco, El Carmen, Villa Orinojón and Lampayuni are infinitely grateful to all those who supported these voluntary activities, and look forward to your help and cooperation for future ones.

Bus for World Youth AWARDS

The last night that the BWYers spent together was a farewell that nobody will forget! With an un-expected AWARDS CEREMONY!

And here they are, the winners of each category.

There were two categories that were awarded by the Committe as a prize for punctuality and perseverance:

1) The most perseverant
Kahu Gordon (New Zealand)

2) The most punctual
Mohamed Ali (Canada)



And there were three categories in which everybody could vote:

3) Mister cute
First place: Neill Ballantyne(New Zealand)
Second place: Diego Padilla Peru)

4) Miss congeniality
First place: A tie between Lisa Monkman (Canada) & Czarina Moreno (Peru)

5) The most enthusiastic
First place: Gunvor Bottheim (Norway)
Second place: Czarina Moreno (Peru)


Of course an award ceremony wouldn’t be complete without some small but lovely prizes and a photo shoot. But it wouldn’t be fair if only a selected few BWYers received awards, thus all participants received a certificate of completion.

Overall the night was a fantastic end to a fantastic trip, thanks to everybody!!

POST FROM MOHAMED (Canada)

Today we received a collaboration from Mohamed! ...

Every time someone mentions Peru, the first, if not the only, thing they know is Machu Pichu. Obviously there are many more things that can be appreciated and enjoyed in the country we call Peru, in the southern part of the hemisphere. The 21st Ship for World Youth introduced us to some amazing people and the great cultural diversity and art of Peru. True to the Spirit of the SWY Program, diplomatic relations, and cultural exchange, the Bus For World Youth, on so many levels has lived up and exceeded what we have experienced on the SWY program.

Since Machu Pichu is one of the most well-known things/places about Peru, a trip to Peru could not possibly been complete without our group visiting the amazing ruins of the Incas, and venturing up the mountain on a 2 day hike to see the majestic view of the Andes.

Although Machu Pichu was a definite highlight of the Bus For World Youth, we traveled from Lima all the way to Cusco, stopping in Ica, Arequipa, Puno . We stopped in rural communities where we saw how in real life the various cultural communities have merged and fused, while still keeping true to their identities and cultural background.

I have lived most of my life in Canada, and have been quite fortunate to travel a little, but I see Peru as a true multicultural society, more so than Canada. I am not saying that Peru doesn’t have its problems, neither am I saying that I am not proud of being Canadian. What I am saying is: Canadian society can learn a lot from the Peruvian identity or cultural model.

I could write forever about our experiences here with the BWY team, but I shall end on the note that Peru is truly a world wonder. I recommend you all should visit, and experience what we did…. God Bless. Viva Peru!

Much Love & Peace -Mohamed Ali Ahmad(Canada, SWY21)

Thanks Mohamed! Enjoy your last days in Peru!

AN END OR A NEW BEGINNING?

These days have provoked contradictory feelings among BWYers. The program is successfully over and we are happy about that. However, as SWY exPYs must have learnt, it's not easy to say goodbye to those who you've spent incredible time with.

On Sunday, around 12:30 p.m., while most of participants were finishing packing or doing some last minute shopping, Sarah sent us a new post for this blog...

BWY is officially over. In about one hour 18 of the 25 of us that began this Bus for World Youth journey will head to Cusco airport to return to Lima. Others will then go on to explore northern Peru, spend some relaxing days in Lima, or move on to more adventures in other South American countries. I will begin my return journey to Canada tonight at midnight and I am not very happy about it, specially as I am quite tired right now after a big farewell party last night and not looking forward to the long journey ahead.

This trip has been very eye opening, inspirational and most of all, SO ENJOYable!!! We have seen not only the truly awe inspiring Inca sites that Cusco and its surroundings have to offer, but we have experienced the beautiful neighbourhoods of Lima like bohemian Barranco and modern Miraflores, the extreme poverty of communities like Chalhuanca and the people of Uros islands but also the many people who come to cities like Lima, Arequipa and Cusco in search of something that seems to elude them. We have also seen, importantly, the extreme resourcefulness and joyful spirit of the Peruvian people. It seems that despite the wonder of Machu Picchu and the gorgeous landscapes and more gorgeous people that Peru has to offer, it does not get as many tourists as other South American countries, and the people of Peru seem to work hard and find creative ways to promote and preserve their cultures, attract tourists, and develop their own sustainable development projects, be it environmental, economic, social or cultural (or as is often the case, a combination of several!)

We have just spent our last 4 days in Cusco, Machu Picchu and Aguas Calientes. In Cusco we visited many incredible Inca sites like Sacsayhuaman, Qenqo, and Ollantaytambo, the last surviving Inca town. We did 2 days of tours to sites within Cusco and the surrounding areas, including a hike through salt flats down through the sacred valley, and lots and lots of Inca ruins. We then did a one day hike along the Inca trail to Machu Picchu. We hiked about 2 hours up Machu Picchu mountains which was very difficult as there were large stone steps and the high altitude makes it hard to catch your breath. After lunch we had a much more enjoyable hike to the sun gate of Machu Picchu, through what our guide calls Peruvian Flat, ie up and down, but not too difficult, and a wonderful chance to explore the gorgeous flora and fauna of the rainforest that brought us to Machu Picchu. Upon arrival at the sun gate, we were greeted by an amazing view of Machu Picchu which made the hike well worth it. We then hiked down through Machu Picchu and caught a bus to Agua Calientes, the town that seems only to exist to house and feed the tourists headed for Machu Picchu. After a good night sleep, we were off at 5:15 am with, surprisingly, hordes of other tourists up way too early, for a 2 hour tour of Machu Picchu. It is truly incredible all that the Incas managed to create from rock. I think I took about 500 photos just of rocks! But they look beautiful, especially with the green moss that still covers much of it, since Machu Picchu was covered over by Pachamama, or mother earth, for a long time. After Machu Picchu, it was back to Cusco with some much needed napping on the train, and farewell party last night and here we are! Time to move on.

Its so sad to go and say goodbye, especially to the beautiful Peruvians that worked tirelessly to create this magnificent experience for all of us out of the goodness of their hearts. I cannot thank enough Paola, Susy, Natalia, Diego and Oscar, the BWY committee, for everything, I love you guys!!!! Te quiero mucho! The SWY spirit has definitely been renewed thanks to BWY and we are already discussing which country should organize the next BWY! Canada? Chau amigos y buenas suerte a todos!

-Sarah, Canada, SWY 21


Thanks again Sarah. We miss you!

Pisco - El Carmen - Arequipa - Puno

These days have been awesome! But we've been enjoying so much that we haven't had time to post anything yet. Sorry about this.

We stole some minutes from Sarah's time and she wrote this enthusiastic post for us...

So we just arrived in Cusco and have less than a week and what is sure to be a highlight, Macchu Picchu, yet to come. This experience has been so wonderful and so different from anything we could experience as just another backpacker in Peru. We participated in various voluntary activities - visiting sustainable development projects in Pisco, a community near Lima that was devastated by the earthquake in Aug 2007, helping with a special crafts project in El Carmen, a community where Afro Peruvian culture is very strong, bringing coats to children in the very poor community of Chalhuanca, which is near the Colca Canyon, a huge tourist attraction, but tucked out of the way and so not benefitting from tourist dollars, and visiting a library on Amantani Island, on Lake Titicaca, where we also had a homestay. In each of these voluntary activities, we were able to spend time with the people of these communities and learn a bit more about their lives, and also donate much needed items, from drums to help promote afro peruvian culture to coats to books and school supplies. These moments have been truly special. We have experienced the highs of dancing in the street to afro peruvian drum beats and having a private performance by the world famous Ballumbrosio family to the highs of living (and doing our best to breathe!) at 4000m above sea level in Puno and Lake Titicaca. We celebrated a truly special new years eve, arriving in Arequipa at 11:15pm after a 17 hour bus trip, but rang in the new year with pisco sours in hand and dancing to latin beats. It has been incredible so far and its not over yet! There have been many special moments, and much more to be experienced so I am off to see what Cusco has to offer! Muchas gracias to the BWY committee!!!!!!
-Sarah, Canada, SWY 21

Thanks Sarah!

We will try to post some pictures soon.

PRE PROGRAM ACTIVITIES

Hello readers!

These days have been busy... But awesome.

The arrival of participants began last week, with Perryn on Friday 11th, and Gunvor and Anja on Sunday 13th.

Then Kieran, Hideki, Sarah and Sawa...

Christmas came with Mohamed and Lech... Great gathering with SWY Peruvian family!

Siri and Jade arrived later. Andrzej, Neil and Candice have just landed on Sunday night. And Gordon family (Mylee, Heidi-Anna and Kahu) at midnight.

We're still waiting for Cathrine, Tara and Lisa, but everything is ready to begin the Program in some hours (early on Monday 28th).

The Committee has been working on it...