27 Diciembre 2010

Christmas eve night was incredible.

It is tradition here to stay up until midnight and then unveil the baby Jesus in the nativity scene and set of fireworks. Cesar's house is in one of the highest parts of the city of Arequipa and at midnight we went up to the roof top and literally watched every house in the city set off illegal fireworks below. With the city lights and the inexpensive fireworks it looked like the entire city had two sparkling levels. It was utterly and truly beautiful. I had never seen anything like it. For the first time I thank you, weak police force, for allowing us such a pretty tradition.

Now, I have taken a vacation. Cesar and I decided not to go the beach (tear!) because we just don't want to take the vacation days traveling and it will be very costly. Instead, we are headed where a bunch of his friends live, CUZCO! He lived there for a while a few years back, and I have never been there. This is the famous location of the all holy Machu Pichu. How perfect to be at the center of so much earthly energy to ring in the new year! Cesar got a job in Cuzco because the tourism in Arequipa is very low right now. He will start working the day we arrive, so I will have a lot of me time to meditate, read, and write. Then in the evenings we can have a good time together and I don't have to think about work AT ALL for an entire week! I am very much looking forward to it.

24 Diciembre 2010

Feliz Noche Buena, Navidad, y Fiestas!

22 Diciembre 2010

The closing ceremony for the Primary(Elementary) school was this morning and I was invited to hand out diplomas. Totally nerve racking cause I should say something inspirational to each student, but pretty cool to be a part of.

After the ceremony all the teachers (that had moved to the town to teach for the school year) moved back to Arequipa for summer break. So, when they invited me to ride with them to the city I packed a bag in under 5 minutes and decided to surprise my boyfriend for the holidays.

Mid ride it started to rain, as it is the rainy season here that is to be expected. But, then it started to downpour. By far, the hardest rain yet this season. The beautiful little droplets started tearing up the steep walls of the canyon pulling small mountains of loose earth over the road. We were forced to stop driving and wait for the deluge to pass. Of course, the teachers had suitcases on the roof of the van that we decide to bring inside so the clothes inside wouldn't get wet. We piled about 15 sopping wet bags on top of about 10 people in a 6 person van. Quickly the storm disappeared behind the foggy window pain and all we could do is listen and wait. Some kids and I started playing the little game where you count the time between the lightening and thunder and they got a mini lesson on light and sound travel (yup, i'm always on the job, it's pitiful). As my jeans absorbed moisture from the bag on my lap the temperature continued to rise int he van. Then one of the professors from a neighboring town and I started making jokes about getting out and walking to the nearest town (Chivay). We decided we wanted to stretch our legs. But, once we got out of the van, we never got back in. We grabbed out bags and just started hiking towards town. The rain had slowed, and their weren't rocks falling anymore. The road was covered in light saturated mud that the cars couldn't get through, but our boots sure could. It was probably the most beautiful hike I have taken, to date, in the canyon. The huge clouds crawled over the sides of the canyon and purged more and more sparkling droplets over the dry terraced fields.

Somehow, I have learned to always be self sustaining in the canyon. You never know when you are going to get stuck somewhere for days. So, my bag is always a little more weighted than one would like, but I am never without. Well, never except today. My little emergency pack always has a granola bar or cookies in it. Of course, today that stash hadn't been replenished. I had yogurt for breakfast, it was 3 o'clock and my tummy was grumbling. I wasn't the only uncomfortable one. The teachers I was hiking with were in their business attire. Fortunatly my hearty boots got me through when the mud engulfed my leg up to mid calf, but the teachers weren't so lucky in their loafers. Somehow, and very fortunately, everyone was in good spirits and laughing through the whole experience. Perhaps it was the beauty of the rain that carried us as we passed car after car stuck or waiting for the rains to pass. Or perhaps we were just a group of crazy adventurous types. Haha. When we got closer to the city there was a van waiting for the rain to pass to head out of Chivay. We convinced him to give us a ride to Chivay and come back (I might have threatened to eat him if he didn't take us, I was SO hungry).

Celebratory, we arrived in Chivay before the early afternoon bus to Arequipa parted. As we went up to buy our tickets the vendor shook her head, it was 15 minutes until the bus would leave and all the seats were full. Vanquished! We would have to wait for the midnight bus. Well, maybe not... there were a lot of people trapped on the road to Chivay that probably had tickets and wouldn't make it. We decided to play "stand-by" with the busses. I was flashed with memories when Mama and I were travelling home for the holidays a few years ago and our flight was cancelled so we bounced around from gate to gate trying to squeeze on a plane. I remember convincing the flight attendendent my dogs' bladder would be full soon and we had to get on the next flight and she got us on! This time it didn't take as much coaxing. Because most of the folks int he terminal were tired and testy, I think the woman working the door took to me and the other professors goofy, lighthearted attitude. Joking with her about her putting us in the under-cabin where they transport the llamas or on the roof where I could get a rain-bath (because I surly stank after my week at site without showering) convinced her to wave us over when they got a phone call and a couple seats opened up.

What a journey! And in the end I got to see the delightedly surprised face of my loving boyfriend at the bus terminal in Arequipa. It was then that I realized I left the small bag of Christmas presents for him and his family back in Madrigal! Vanquished again! It will have to be a Christmas wrapped in the gift of loving care and yummy food!

21 Diciembre 2010

Today was super frustrating.

I spent the whole day building a chicken coop in my host family's house. Partly because I want free eggs, but mostly because they have such little protein in their diet. Having free eggs and chickens there that they can eat whenever would only be a good thing (it is free because I am paying for it).

As I was building it with my host sister my host father came back from he fields and started to help. I LOVE when he helps build because he has so much more experience with the local materials than I do. However, today he was not so helpful. He kept changing the design. I am always subservient to him in the household. There are multiple reasons for this 1) it is the peruvian way for women to be obedient to men, and peace corps spends a lot of energy convincing us we can be more effective if we work within their system instead of trying to conquore it, they are right 2) it is his house I am making changes to and he has every right to have the last say. Being so submissive is a HUGE challenge for me, but I have a great relationship with my host father. Anywho, the changes he was making to the design for the chicken coop were not beneficial. He was trying to get it done faster instead of do it well, in my opinion. As I was watch the chicken coop get less sturdy and less sturdy my heart collapsed. I was so looking forward to building this for the family and now it looks like a ramshackle house that will only survive 5 rainy seasons or so, not a lifetime.

I bought all the materials for the coop and will be purchasing the chickens for the family and probably their feed when we don't have corn at hand. I imagined this expensive and laborous project would be my Christmas gift to the family. But, my host father asked me, as we were building, jokingly what I was going to give him for Christmas. I was crushed. I can't just say, "all this wood, in your hands!" I don't know what I am going to do about that, it isn't like I have the funds to buy the whole family presents now.

Then, we finish the coop. It turns out pretty lovely, and I am proud of it. It will do.

My host father says, "Now we can move the guinea pigs in here, and when we have time we will build the second level for the hens."

NOOOOOOOOOOO!! my brain screams. This is not a cage for guinea pigs that you already have! This is a CHICKEN coop! For CHICKENS! So you have eggs to supplement your family's meals every day! It is not so the guinea pigs you eat twice a year have more space to run around and poop. If I thought he was actually going to build a second level for the guinea pigs I would be totally down for both because that would get the guinea pigs out of the kitchen. But, the problem is I don't know how to build the second floor, and I know he won't do it without me pestering him about it. Also, it is dangerous to put guineas and chickens in the same cage because they can infect each other very easily via their poop. If there are too floors in the coop it needs to be VERY well done, and I just don't have faith that he will do this.

After an entire day of chicken coop building and dreaming about eating eggs everyday I find out that the coop might be used for the rodents. UG!

Feeling exhausted from a day of hard physical and mental labour, I went to the closing ceremony for the high school. Their last day of school was last week, and they are on summer vacation now until March. I didn't have much umf to go as the ceremony was supposed to start at 6 and when I arrived with my host sister nothing was set up and about 3 people were wondering around waiting. We helped lug chairs and what-not into the building and the ceremony started around 9. I was exhausted and not interested in listening to a long-winded graduation ceremony. But, my face needed to be there. I needed to show my support to these kids and their teachers.

Towards the end of the ceremony they handed out special certificates to the student in each grade who had the highest and second highest grade point. Half asleep, I start to notice with the first couple classes the kids that are going up there are the kids I work with on their homework every night. Another class' caum laudes are called up and two more of my students walk across the small stage. Every one of my students was the top of their class. I am sure this is a combination of them being motivated to learn and that is why they come to me in the first place, and the actual help the received from me, but boy did it feel good. This was an opportunity for me to see that the kids I am working with are accomplishing and there is always potential for more.

This little nugget of pride was like a massage at the end of a rough day. Seeing their smiling faces with their diplomas wiped away the frustration in my body and sent me to bed relaxed and looking forward to tomorrow.

20 Diciembre2010

It is four days until Christmas.

A beautiful rain came over the canyon today and feeds next year’s harvest. It appears that the holidays with bring the gift of rain to our dry soils.

It certainly doesn’t feel like Christmas. It isn’t like we have the money to go shopping in the malls, nor do you hear blaring Christmas music everywhere you go. I have talked to some of the other volunteers about it. Some are going home for the holidays. A few don’t miss anything about it. But, for the most part, it just doesn’t feel like we are missing anything. We are so far away (figuratively more than physically) that it doesn’t really even register that it is the holiday season in The States. I mean, we know, but we can’t feel it. At all.

One volunteer called me the other day upset because the family put up a single strand of Christmas lights. With this notion she realized that Christmas was coming, and the pittifulness of the attempt to decorate made her sad for a few reasons. Sad for the culture we live in and there inability to go above and beyond as the Western way requires. Sad to be so far from family and friends. Sad to be impotent in providing a solution for either of the above mentioned. We want to be able to buy every girl and boy in our town a doll, every mother a new dress, ever father a new pair of shoes, and 10 strands of lights for each family for their Christmas celebration. But, we can’t. We want to be able to fly ourselves home for the holidays, even if it is just for a few days so that we can be a part of the gatherings. It aches to be so powerless.

I was fortunate enough to be in Arequipa attending meetings a few weeks ago when Cesar’s mother was decorating the house. She kindly invited me to partake, and Cesar kindly put on all the Christmas songs in English he could find on the internet to help me feel at home. As his mother cooed over every decoration we pulled out of the single box that contained the house’s decorations I felt at home. While I don’t know these decorations, I could see my brother and I doing the same with our own. The glass nativity scene that used to be my grandmother’s, the fabric tree calendar that counts down the days until Christmas my brother and I fought over when we were little, and that ornament that I love that is a cheese house with a tiny little mouse inside hanging his decorations. It is funny the things you long for. It is also funny the things you don’t.

Our Christmas decorations are littered with nutcrackers, claras, rat kings, snow queens, and sugar plumb fairies. I couldn’t miss them less. Funny, it wasn’t until I was thinking about Christmas decorations that the idea that I am not in a Nutcracker phased my mind. While my stomach continues to flip (and probably will for the rest of my life) every time I think about ballet, now, I am at peace with it. I can watch a talented ballerina and adore the art again instead of wanting to strangle the life out of her.

While serving in the Peace Corps and living so far out has pulled me away from so much that I love, it has also pulled me away from pain. Peace Corps has given me a place, a belonging. It has surrounded me with possibility and passion. While people tell me they couldn’t do what I do, I can honestly tell them, “I couldn’t do what you do. This is right for me. This is where I fit.” Their ‘couldn’t’ referring to the conditional, my ‘couldn’t’ referring to the past tense.

This holiday season all I can do is give thanks, over and over. To have people I love all over the world and to have been kept safe in all my journeys.

To all my nearest (even those not-so-near

18 Diciembre 2010

When the calf was born she was carried to a corral near the house with her mother. If she was left in the field where she was born, it is likely a wolf would eat her. However, the corral is dirt, and has no food for the mother cow to eat. It is day three and we are out of corn husks to feed the mother, so she needs to be walked to pasture. The dilemma is that the calf is not yet strong enough to make the trek down the canyon where her mother needs to graze. The solution? Leave the baby iun the corral for the day and escort the mother cow to the field an dback. As you can imagine this would be very challenging as the mother cow weighs a ton, has horns, and will not want to part with her baby. As the baby cow lets me pet her, my job was to wrap my arms around her tiny\huge body and keep her calm while her mother was taken to get food. Now let´s see. A 60-year old woman, 13 year-old girl, and my inexperienced self cs. mama cow. There was really no competition. I was only abke to hold the flaling alf for a matter of seconds and mama cow would have none of it.
To be honest, I have never really likied mama cow. She has been moody since I met her, and I coudln´t get on her good side, so I just tend to leave her be. I prefer getting kisses from Hercules, the bulls, when I am in the corral. I thought, perhaps she was just boody because she was pregnant, but now I realize eh is just a brat. Milking her is like a video game in the attempt to keep the milk from being spilt while at the same time avoiding being kicked in the face with her moody hoof.
So since we couldn´tget mama gow to the field, we had to bring the field to mama cow. My host mother, sister, and I put on our hats, grabbed our scs, and headed to the most rich alfalfa field the family owns. It is dwn the canyon, close to the river.


I have to say, I thought I would hate it, but I love it. I felt like a human lawnmower. More efficient in a way because we can get to the very bas of the plany by hand and not wast any greener. As we sat on our knees, slicing away, listenng to the wind whistele through the canyon behind us I explained to Roxana how slave in the US used to wing when the worked in th fields. So, we traded songe. I would sing an old spiritual in exchanve for a Madrigalanian quechua melody. We went back and forth for hours. Singing, then translating the lyrics, then somtimes repeating. M host mom piped in a couple time with some really ancient quechua pieces I will ahve to record. She is such a fun-loving woman. She proudly sang each song then asked if I liked it. We had a couple mini dance parties in the field when we stretched our legs and bouned around a little to old ¨huatitis¨. We had more alfalfa thatn the donkes could carry back to town so Roxanna and I strapped stalks onto our backs with blankets. I ske dher how many weeks this would feed the cowsand she laughed at me, ¨two days¨.


I have to say the best part of the way was when one of the donkeys farted unusually loud and scared himself so mch that he took off running and Roxnna had to chase after him to calm him down and return him to the path back to the house.

17 Diciembre 2010

Two days ago the baby cow was born in the fields.
My host mother had come up to feed the bulls adb twi kuttke feet were sticking out of the mama cow.
The cute little thing has a white spot the shape of a heart on her forehead and I believe her name will come from that shape. Her skin is far too much for her little bons, and she wobbles around in an attempt to familiarize, strengthen, and have fun.
The exciting news now is FREE MILK!These first few days after the birth the mother will produce a milk like substance (in quechua called puq'o) that is thick and yellow like a milkshake. My hos tmother said she likes to turn this intoa a yogurt-like oatmeal with cinnamo and sugar. I boiled the crap out of it and mad an enzyme-less sweet cheese that we munchd with toasted and salted corn kernels. It reminded meo f kettel corn.
Te extra puq'o I boiled with quinoa, cinnamon, and sugar. I awnted to eat it with a spoon and chop up a mango to put on top but it was far too thin and sweet. Instead, w turned t into a quinoa tea and added anis and hot water. mmmm
Walking to milk the cow this morning something I can get used to doing daily.

16 Diciembre 2010 take two

As I was loading the bys yesterday a tiny little woman that I have worked in teh felds with appeared at my side. With her one-year-old tied to her back (I have never seen her without him there) she hugged me like a daughter. Our seat assignments were on opposite ends of the bus, but that didn´t keep her little body from finding her way next to me. For a majority of the ride her little one was on my lap slobbering up the window or smashing cookies into my pants. I loved every minute. When he got fussy she would ship out her tit and he would attach himself laying sideways. His lips connected at one end, and his little feet walkng all over the back of the seat in front of us. I convinced her to sleep and I would watch ovr him for a bit. As her head bobbled lazily over the asphalt-less road, her breasts still exposed under her rolled sweater, the little one too fell asleep in my lap. It must hav been funny to see such a tradtional woman and child so cozily cuddled up together with a little white woman in te last seat on the bus.
In his sleep he pantomimed nursng and his tiny little feet danced all over my legs. My emnotions fluctuated for most of the ride. To be born here. The beauty of the ancient life he will lead, and the challeng expressng itself in the obvious gum infection he already carries. Of course, his chubby cheecks, long curly hair and chewing in his sleep reminded me of my brother.

16 Diciembre 2010

I feel like I live here.

15 Diciembre 2010

Yet another shenanigan at the post office.

My patience is waning.

I show up early and there are 6 people ahead of me in line. That usually means a 3 hour wait. But, as I sit there working on my lap top the people are coming in and out quickly. I am pleased that they will get to me quickly, but I did not note that no one was walking out with their actual packages. I should have taken that as a sign. I wait for another hour or so and get shuttled in to the customs office pretty quickly. At this point in my life in Arequipa I get kisses from the women who work there. We are familiar and comforting to eachtoher, and they know they just might get a chocolate from the States if there are any sprinkled in the box I am receiving. I fell into the usual rhythm pulling out all the paperwork necessary. But, I didn't recognize the guy behind the desk. He places my package on his desk and just looks at my paperwork. With two copies of my passport laid out right in front of him he says,

"Your passport".

I explain that I don't have my physical passport because it is at the Ministry of State because I am receiving my green card. He stands up puts my box back in storage and says,

"I can't give you anything without the original passport that is how people steal things from our government."

Um... I am thinking, I have come here at least 20 times and gotten packages without the original passport. I never travel with it, it is too dangerous. I politely explain, "No, you see, I always come here with copy, it make sme scared to walk in the steets with my passport. I can show you my license from the states with my photo and name on it."

He completely ignores me, "Number 8"

"But, you only keep packages for a month, and my passport is going to be in the Ministry for 3-5 so how will I be able to get my package?"

The worst part of this whole thing is that the package is RIGHT THERE taunting me.

He pulls some Peruvian machismo, stands up, and raises his voice,

"This is a joke. You don't respect the Peruvian governement. How can you come in here with a copy?!" He holds up the copies I have laid before him and waves it in my face, "You don't respect our country to come here with this."

As you can imagine my cheecks have flushed in a rush of sadness and anger. Without a word I place my things back in my bag and the assistant comes to me and says, "Dont worry, just come back tomorrow with the passport and I will put you at the front of the line." in true South American feminine feeble quality.

What can I do? I gave her a warm smile as she handed me my paperwork from his desk and I asked her to walk out with me avoiding all eye contact with the governemtn official whose little head I just wanted to squeeze off.

When we got outside the door I wispered to her,

"Is he working tomorrow?"

"No, dear."

"the young woman that is usually here will be back tomorrow?"

"Yes, ma'am" she smiles and winks

"Thank you, see you tomorrow."

It is conversations like this that take it all out of me. Everything I have. Like a vacuum my lungs shrink into nothingness and I have to concentrate on keeping my heartbeat strong and reoccurring.

This is a perfect example of my biggest challenges in Peru

The Peruvian Government

Machismo

the weak female

The introduction: The beurocracy and the lack of logic that exists in the Peruvian governmental system is beyond frustrating for anyone, let alone someone accustomed to proficciency.

The climax: Not only did the man think it was ok to yell at me when I had logic to trump the decision he had made to reject my passport copy, but he tells me I don't respect his country. How, could anyone think that I don't respect this country? I talk like you, live like you, dress like you. You probably want me to get skin grafts, die my hair, and grow it out long to braid.

The cherry finale on top of this cake: The women who know me didn't stand up for me to him, instead, they play the South American mother nurture card and help me manage his immaturity and self-righteousness. How can women ever get respect here if they think that this is just the way that men are and there isn't any way to change that? How can I teach my girls to stand up for themselves when their mothers won't stand up for them, and it puts them in such a dangerous position?

And what did I do? I walked away. I am a representative of the United States, and my superiors require that I not react to such situations. They want me acculturated and working on more simple scales. They want better relations with the Peruvian government, they don't want me attacking it.

I leave the post office about to explode and all I want to do is call my boyfriend and whine to him so that he can tell me the guy is a creep and I am awesome. But, of course, in typical Peruvian style, the Telefonica phone lines are down. I am trapped in my own head, alone. I can't even call another volunteer to attempt to heal myself with camaraderie.

Why have I done this to myself? Why didn't I just appreciate the fact that I was born into a country that protects me from such emotionally toling situations? Why do I feel I owe something to the world?

Now, how do I let this go? How to I release these huge frustrations and return to my optimistic self? As these experiences continue to pile on top of each other my lungs become more and more weak and it is harder to talk other people into working with me towards, "good".

Perhaps this is just a bitter vitamin that will nourish me tomorrow.

10 Diciembre 2010

"Human rights are the foundation of freedom, peace, development and justice -- and the heart of the work of the United Nations around the world.

Laws to protect and promote human rights are indispensable. But quite often, progress comes down to people… courageous women and men… striving to protect their own rights and the rights of others… determined to make rights real in people’s lives.

It is these human rights defenders to whom we dedicate this year’s observance of Human Rights Day.

Defenders are a diverse group. They might be part of a civil society organization, a journalist or even a lone citizen, spurred to action by abuses close to home.

But they all share a commitment to expose wrongdoing, protect the most vulnerable and end impunity. They stand up, speak out -- and today they tweet -- in the name of freedom and human dignity..

Human rights defenders play a vital role in the fight against discrimination. They investigate violations and help victims gain justice and support.

Far too often, their work entails tremendous risk.

Defenders are harassed, stripped of their jobs and wrongfully imprisoned. In many countries, they are tortured, beaten and murdered.

Their friends and family members are also subjected to harassment and intimidation.

Women human rights defenders face additional risks, and therefore need additional support.

This Human Rights Day is an occasion to salute the courage and achievements of human rights defenders everywhere – and to pledge to do more to safeguard their work.

States bear the primary responsibility to protect human rights advocates. I call on all States to ensure the freedom of expression and the freedom of assembly that make their work possible.

When the lives of human rights advocates are endangered, we are all less secure.

When the voices of human rights advocates are silenced, justice itself is drowned out.

On this Human Rights Day, let us be inspired by those seeking to make our world more just. And let us remember that everyone -- no matter their background, training or education -- can be a human rights champion.

So let us use that power. Let us each be a human rights defender."

Ban Ki-moon

7 Diciembre 2010

My darling friend came out of surgery like a champ yesterday, and is in a bit of pain today but handling it well. We treated ourselves to pizza last night in Lima and crashed.

I will be picking up new glasses (yes, I managed to break both pairs I brought with me to Peru) then heading back to Arequipa today. Unfortunately, I probably will not make it to Chivay (in the canyon) in time for the biggest celebration of the year, but that just might be for the best... no drunk men to deal with.

I feel so far away from "home" right now. My tiny room in the canyon feels beyond distant as I walk by the 2,000 s/. ($600) dress in a Limenian boutique. It is kind of funny how I act when I have access now, it is like I don't need it. There used to be a mad dash whenever I came into town to buy everything I thought I needed. Now, I don't really see a need for a lot of it. I can go get a glass of wine, and I would enjoy it oh, so much, but it just doesn't make sense when that 10 s/. could feed me for two days in the canyon. Or, I could use money I save to make improvements on my host family's house and use that to teach them how to live healthfully. That is so much more rewarding than any amenity I could find in Lima or even the finest glass of wine.

Another funny realization... I still don't have a mirror in my room in the canyon. Every time I see my reflection when I come into the city it is like meeting someone new. During the few weeks I have been mirror-less my hair always grows or my weight varies. Perhaps I will put the 40 s/. up for a mirror, but I just can't validate it at this point. My little pocket mirror that shows me my face in portions will have to do.

Photos of talks we gave in Ancash:

HIV/AIDS prevention

Recycling!

And this, ladies and gentlemen, is why we give English lessons even when we don't want to:

6 Diciembre 2010

I promised that I would post my community diagnostic so here it is:

Diagnóstico comunitario desarrollo juvenil de Madrigal, Arequipa

Lauren Deimling Johns

Cuerpo de Paz E.E.U.U

[Capacitación durante servicio - 29 Noviembre 2010]

Resumen

El Cuerpo de Paz (CP) es un organización del gobierno de los Estados Unidos que ofrece recursos humanos a países que tienen habitantes viviendo en codiciones del tercer mundo. CP tiene varias denominaciones y CP Perú ha elegido a una voluntaria de su Programa de Desarrollo Juvenil para vivir y trabajar en el pueblo Madrigal departamento de Arequipa por dos años. Para conocer mejor las necesidades de la comunidad, Lauren la autora de este diagnóstico, investigo la historia y modo de vida de los ciudadanos de Madrigal. Utilizando una serie de encuestas, entrevistas, y observaciones; ella descubrió no solamente la ayuda que quiere la gente de Madrigal, sino que también los recursos humanos que puede ofrecerles. Con su experiencia en psicología, ella cree que trabajando con los niños de Madrigal en diferentes temas como auto-estima, liderazgo, creatividad, y lectura; se puede ofrecer una base para que ellos puedan mejorar sus propias vidas en su propia manera. Esta forma de enseñar no solo va a ofrecer una vida más sana, sino también va a cuidar la cultura de la gente que vive en Madrigal. Este diagnóstico explorará la vida en este pueblo y como el programa de “Volar a las Estrellas” o “VALE” puede ayudarles en el futuro y al mismo tiempo enseñarles a respetar su historia.

Introducción

El Cuerpo de Paz fue creado en 1961 por el presidente John F. Kennedy. El deseo para el programa fue compartir la información interculturalmente. Los voluntarios de CP ofrecen dos años de servicio y viven con familias en las comunidades donde sirven. Entre 1962 y 1975 2.600 voluntarios han servido en Perú. Pero, en 1975 CP salio de Perú por su inestabilidad política. El programa se re-inicio en 2001. El programa de Desarrollo Juvenil (DJ) de CP fue construido 8 años después con tres metas principales:

1. Desarrollo de un estilo de vida saludable.

2. Desarrollo para el mundo del trabajo.

3. Desarrollo de liderazgo juvenil y participación de servicio comunitario.

Los voluntarios de DJ estan para ofrecer tiempo y recuersos humanos, organizando proyectos, dinámicas, charlas, talleres y mas voluntarios trabajan para alcanzar estas tres metas. La voluntaria Lauren Deimling Johns, designada a vivir y a trabajar en el pueblo de Madrigal se graduo en La Universidad de Texas en la carrera de Psicólogía. Ella se especializó en el estudio de la memoria, sexualidad y el desarrollo del cerebro durante la niñez. Su tesis sigue siendo investigada en el Laboratorio de Desarrollo de la Niñez en La Universidad de Texas en “Echol’s Lab” que explora el aprendizaje del idioma. Ella también tiene años de experiencia de enseñar varias formas de arte en programas después de clases y durante las vacaciones escolares. Para investigar los deseos y necesidades de los ciudadanos de Madrigal Ms. Johns estudió la historia y forma de vida de los Madrigaleños. Con esta información ella ha empezado a desarrollar un programa para los niños y adolescentes de Madrigal que encaje sus deseos con los conocimientos de Ms. Johns. Este programa esta explicado en detalle en la sección “Plan” de este diagnóstico. Se realiza a través de tres etapas que estan vinculadas con proyectos planificados que los alumnos van a realizar. Empieza con la exploración del mundo, pasa a la comunidad y finaliza con la exploración de su propia persona. Este programa también anima a los alumnos a leer y esta acompañado de charlas para los profesores y padres. En vez de modernizar a la comunidad con la influencia del extrangera, este programa va a poner la fuerza y capacidad en las manos de los ciudadanos para que ellos sepan que tienen la capacidad y acceso a los recursos necesarios para vivir educados y sanos.

Metodología

Para conocer mejor la historia de la gente de Madrigal, asi como tambien de donde vienen sus antepasados, fui a la biblioteca de ACEID para consultar los libros de historia.

Para saber mejor el estilo de vida de los Madrigaleños yo seguí la pista de mi familia anfitriona. Ayudé a sembrar las chacras, alimentar a las vacas, toros, ovejas, cuyes, liebres y chanchos. Tambien estoy aprendiendo a tejer con mi madre anfitriona y la señora esta enseñándome el idioma Quechua.

Para saber mejor como enseñan los profesores y donde los alumnos necesitan mas ayuda, seguí la pista de cada profesor de la primaria y secundaria.

Las entrevistas formales e informales me han ayudado mucho a aprender más acerca de los pensamientos, creencias, leyendas, prácticas e historia de la gente de Madrigal.

Tambien participo con regularidad en reuniones. Algunas reuniones a las que he asistido resientemente eran del Ministerio de turismo, el Puesto del Salud, La Municipalidad de Madrigal y varias Organizaciones No Gobernamentales (Health Bridges Indernational, Quechua Benedit, ACEID, Bolivia Inti, Grupo GEA, DESCO, etc).

He usado cuatro formas de encuestas para aprender más acerca de la población y vida de los ciudadanos de Madrigal. La primera (n=37) era de selección conveniente. Obtenía información de acceso de salud caminando por las calles y preguntando a la gente local (Apéndice M). La segunda (n=59) era administrada para la Primaria con preguntas escolares, de la casa, y familia (Apéndice P). La tercera (n=51) era administrada para la Secundaria con preguntas escolares, de la casa, la familia, educación sexual e interés en una biblioteca (Apéndice O). La cuarta (n=74) era llevada por los alumnos a sus casas y completada por sus padres con preguntas de educación, la familia y sus deseos personales (Apéndice N).

Un inventario de instituciones me ha informado acerca de los grupos importantes para la comunidad:

Municipalidad Distrital de Madrigal

Gobernatura de Madrigal

Juzgado de Paz de Madrigal

Puesto Policial de Madrigal

Puesto de Salud

Programa Nacional de Manejo de Cuencas Hidrograficas y Conserva Hidrograficas y Conservación de Suelos

Club de Madres

Mujeres Campesinas

Vaso de Leche

Mujeres PIN

PRONAA

APAFAS

Wawa Wasi

Entre las encuestas incluye una oportunidad de encotrar los deseos que tienen en comun los ciudadanos (“pair-wise ranking”). Esta fue una oportunidad para ver donde podria concordar con las aspiraciones entre Madrigaleños.

Historia de la Comunidad y Region

Ubicación

Madrigal esta ubicada oeste de Chivay, el capital Povincial de Caylloma. Sus coordinadas geograficas son 15º36’00” latitud sur y 71º48’00” longitud oeste. Esta al lado norte del Cañon del Colca cerca del Río del Colca.

El nombre “Madrigal” es distinto a los otros nombres de los pueblos del cañon por su influencia Española. Los nombres de los pueblos vecinos vienen de palabras inkas y pre-inkas. Se dice que el nombre “Madrigal” proviene de la palabra española madriguera, que significa mina hecha por los animales y se le atribuye a las minas de Plata situadas cerca del pueblo.

Topografia e hidrografia

La geografia del Cañon del Colca se caracteriza por un complejo de elevadas mesetas y laderas moderadas. Esto es producto del levantamiento y erosión glaciar. Dentro de esta región esta el área centro sur andina.

El agua de Madrigal proviene de “canal madre” y cuatro lugares prominentes, Laguna Ursula, Río Chimpa, Río Punco y Río Keto (Chávez, 2006).

Clima y Trabajo

En el Cañon del Colca hay un gradiente de 6ºC por cada 100 metros de altura. Generalmente la temperatura oscila entre 17ºC y 24ºC en Madrigal. En el verano esta cubierto por lluvias y en invierno es seco. El clima es semicalido en los meses de Mayo, Junio y Julio. Las heladas durante este tiempo demandan mucha atención para los agricultores. Ellos siembran los campos entre Septiembre y Diciembre y cosechan en Mayo. El tiempo de lluvias esta entre Diciembre y Febrero (Chávez, 2006). Ellos mayormente cultivan papas, cebada, alfalfa, quinua, maíz, habas y otros tubérculos. La mayoria de la población trabaja en agricultura y ganaderia. El medio ingreso es 5.327 soles cada año (Apéndice A).

Población

Hoy en día hay aproximadamente 750 habitantes en Madrigal.

Año	Habitantes	Varones	Mujeres
1940	691	308	383
1961	1,040	555	995
1981	3,808
1993	2,686
2005	827	400	427

(Chávez, 2006)

Edad	Poblacion
> 65	50
60 a 64	22
55 a 59	28
50 a 54	34
45 a 49	40
40 a 44	42
35 a 39	54
30 a 34	63
25 a 29	70
20 a 24	72
15 a 19	42
10 a 14	68
5 a 9	65
<>	65

(Jeremiah, 2008)

Alimentación y servicios

La mayoria de las viviendas en Madrigal estan hechas de piedra, barro, material noble, y/o adobe con techos de calamina (aproximadamente 5% tiene techos de paja). Entre 1996 y 1998 20% tenia desague. En el 2005 se termino la instalación de desagüe a 90% de las casas. Entre 1999 y 2002 el servicio de luz llego al distrito de Madrigal (Chávez, 2006). Un informe de la población indica que el 97% tienen luz en la casas, 29.7% no tienen desague, 3% no tienen caño de agua y 62% se bañan en algun lugar afuera de la casa, como un rio o calera. El agua no es saludable para tomar cruda, solo el 40% informa que se hierve el agua antes de tomar (Apéndice A). El promedio general de habitantes por cada casa es de 2 adultos y 1 niño, pero el promedio real de niños que estan viviendo juntos en una casa es 3 (Apéndice A). Esto significa que hay pocas casas que tienen niños en Madrigal, porque la mayoria se mudan a la ciudad de Arequipa para estudiar. En el caso de haber niños casi todos viven juntos. El medio de personas en cada casa es cinco, y el medio de personas compartiendo un cuarto es tres (Apéndice B).

Gastronomia típica

Por los medios de trasporte limitados, los pobladores comen lo que es accesible. Los animales que se consumen mayormente son: cuy, alpaca, oveja y liebre, estos se consumen generalmente en la forma de caldos y sopas con arroz, fideos y papas. Tambien se come mote, jerkey, queso, pan y se bebe mates con regularidad. La población informa que para cocinar 40% usa leña, 30% usa gas, 16% usa leña y bosta y 13% usa gas principalmente, pero leña cuando no tiene dinero (Apéndice A). No hay conexiones de gas en la casa, las mujeres traen los tanques de propano de la ciudad de Chivay.

Historia

La historia especifica de Madrigal esta perdida dentro de la historia del Cañon del Colca. Pero se sabe más de la historia antigua. Se puede investigar la historia del Cañon más ampliamente. Brevemente: El valle estaba en las mismas condiciones geográficas en la que se encuentra hoy. Casi tenía los mismos animales y plantas unos 10.000 años antes. Se han encontrado pinturas interesantes como ocres blancos, amarillos de pumas y zorros, lo que significa su existencia acá. Cerca del año 600 DC el Imperio Wari tenia control del cañon. Los Waris son conocidos por su cultura militar, su desarrollo de ingenieria de caminos y puentes entre las montañas, por momificar sus muertos y su arte textil. Durante su caida dos culturas empezaron a florecer: las Kollawas y Kabanas. Madrigal era principalmente Kollawa durante este tiempo y todavía se puede visitar la Fortaleza de Chimpa que fue construida durante este tiempo. Hay muchas leyendas y cuentos de los tiempos de los Kollawas y Kabanas. Cada grupo tenía su propia forma de vestirse, hacer sacrificios, hacer deformaciones craneales, idioma, etc (Osca 2010). Los Inkas tomaron control del cañon cerca de año 1400 DC y los españoles llegaron al cañon un siglo después. Francisco Pizarro y su hermano Gonzalo se estacieron en Yanque (como los Kollawas y Kabanas) para ejercer control del valle del colca. En 1574 ellos empezaron a hacer “reducciones de indígenas” (los indigenas empezaron a morir por el maltrato y las enfermedades traidas por los españoles, se presume que el numero de indigenas muertos llegaba a mas de 50 mil), los españoles según ordeñes enviadas desde España empezaron a contruir calles, plazas e iglesias en forma de un damero, asi lograron ordenar el valle del Colca en 14 pueblos. Después del rebelión de Tupac Amaru en Cuzco y la guerra de independencia no se produjeron muchos camabios en el Colca (Zacharias, 2010).

La mina

Entre 1940 y 1986 una mina muy cerca al Noroeste de Madrigal estaba abierta con dueños extranjeros. Para alimentar la mina, ellos constuyeron una carretera de Chivay hasta Madrigal. Este proyecto se inicio en 1947 y termino en 1963. Durante su tiempo productivo, la mina contaminó el Río Keto y no produjo muchos beneficos para la ciudad de Madrigal (Chávez, 2006).

Idioma

Castellano y Quechua son los dos idiomas hablados en Madrigal. Quechua es el lenguaje de los indígenas del cañon. El uso del quechua esta bajando por la prohibición española, pero todavia casi todos los habitantes de Madrigal hablan los dos, Castellano y Quechua. El nombre dado por los nativos en secreto para el Quechua era “Runa simi” que significa “lengua de hombre” y el nombre dado para el Castellano era “Alco simi” que significa leguaje de los perros, refiriendose asi a los españoles. El idioma no tiene una escritura pero sigue siendo usado en las casas y calles del Cañon del Colca. (Osca, 2010).

Practicas Religiosas

Se puede ver la distribución de Practicas Religiosas en el grafico del Apéndice C. Pero, la comunidad tiene una tendencia a no considerar sus prácticas antiguas como una forma de religión. La influencia de sus antepasados todavía es muy fuerte en sus practicas diarias. Por ejemplo, los pobladores siguen a ofrecer regalos como maiz, partes del cuerpo alpaca, hojas de coca, y herbas a la “pachamama” o “santa tierra” para funerales, cumpleaños, la siembra, la cosecha y más. Obviamente estas prácticas se realizaban en secreto durante el tiempo de la conquista española.

Fiestas Patronales

Virgen de la Candelaria, 27 Febrero

El Carnaval

Pascua-Samana Santa, Abril

Virgen de Chapi, 1 Mayo

San Isidro Labrador, 15 Mayo

Virgen del Carmen, 16 Julio

San Santiago, 25 Julio

Caballo Tinkay, 1 Agosto

Todos Santos, 1 Noviembre

San Clemente, 26 Noviembre

Aniversario del distrito de Madrigal, 30 Agosto

Danzas

Huititi

Camile

Turkuy Tusy

Corrida y peleas del toros

Demografía y Estadísticas

Salud

El acceso de salud esta limitado en Madrigal. Tiene un Puesto de Salud con dos enfermeras y los doctores y el obstetriz viene de vez en cuando. El Puesto de Salud ofrece el Club de Mayores, PIN y las enfermeras visitan casa para hacer controles. El promedio de veces que los adultos van a visitar al doctor es de 4 y el promedio para los niños es de 9 veces al año. La mayoria (95%) reciben su atención medica en el puesto de salud. Hay una minoria que van a Arequipa (clinicas o hospitales) para recibir mejor atención o por el caso de emergencias (Apéndice A). 75% del población tienen SIS (un seguro gobernental) y el promedio de gastos para visitar al doctor es de 4 nuevos soles. Todovia 92% del poblacian siguen tomando remedios naturales para curarse en la casa (Apéndice A). No tiene un conocimiento comun de que se debe tomar todas las pastillas de una receta. Entonces, 38% informa que no compran todos los medicamentos de una receta por que no tienen el dinero, 8% dicen que las medicinas no son accesible y 5% dicen que dejan de tomar sus pastillas cuando se sienten mejor (Apéndice A). 56% nunca ha ido a un dentista y 51% nunca ha ido a un oculista (Apéndice A). La tasa de mortalidad infantil es aproximadamente 11%, 13% de madres nunca han ido a tener una consulta con un obstetriz y 54% no han tomado vitaminas prenatales (Apéndice A).

Educación

Se puede ver la relación entre la edad y educación en Apéndice E. Esto muestra la tendencia de los pobladores de buscar educación en medida de sus posibilidades. Hace 20-30 años, Madrigal solo tenía una escuela primaria. Se puede ver que con la formación de un colegio secundario, la nueva generacion esta recibiendo niveles mayores de educación en Madrigal. Sin embargo, la tabla en la parte inferior muestra que todovia hay una diferencia entre hombres y mujeres, cuando se trata de los años de educación. El promedio de años que mujeres(0) tienen de educación es 6, y para varones(1) es 8.5 años.

Descriptive Statistics
Dependent Variable:ed
gen	Mean	Std. Deviation	N
0	6.1429	4.21132	42
1	8.5208	3.69006	48
Total	7.4111	4.09685	90

Los resultados de estas estadísticas de educación y genero estan detallado en Apéndice E. Un agradecimiento especial para Sasha Wolosin de la Universidad de Texas y Health Bridges Internacional por su ayuda con estas estadísticas.

Los estudiantes informan que el promedio de libros que han leidos en sus vidas son de 8. Ellos informan que después de las clases 44% hacen sus tareas, 14% van a jugar, 12% van a la chacra y 11% ayudan a sus madres en las quehaceres del hogar. Sus preferencias son jugar, aprender, o leer después de las clases (Apéndice B). Hoy en dia hay aproximadamente ochenta alumnos en la Primaria y cincuenta en la Secundaria.

Los Roles de los Géneros

Los roles de los generos en Madrigal son muy especificos. Las mujeres tienen el trabajo de realizar las tareas de la casa, como limpiar, cocinar, lavar, cuidar a los niños y encargarse de los animales pequeños. Los varones mantienen las chacras y los campos de cultivo, ayudan con el alimentación de las vacas y los toros. En la historia de Madrigal todos los Alcaldes son varones, pero ahora uno de sus nueve regidores es mujer.

Asuntos Sociales

La comisaria de Madrigal informa que los asuntos sociales de Madrigal son violencia familiar y alcoholismo. Las enfermeras informan que los otros asuntos sociales son desnutricion, falta de trabajo y carencia de planificación familiar.

Conclusión y Plan

El pueblo de Madrigal esta en el Cañon del Colca, Departamento del Arequipa Perú. Una voluntaria del Cuerpo de Paz programa Desarrollo Juvenil esta viviendo alla desde Agosto del 2010 hasta Agosto del 2012. Después de tres meces de investigaciones presentadas en la parte superior, propongo un programa para implementar después de las clases escolares. El programa se llama Volar a la Estrellas (VALE) y es un aumento en el dia escolar. Es una oportunidad para que los alumnos de Madrigal puedan explorar y expresar sus propias personas y su mundo. Con este programa los estudiantes no solo pueden descubrir su capacidad para el estudio, sino tambien para la organización y tener una influencia en su comunidad. VALE va a dirigido a los conceptos principales de lectura, escritura, higiene, maneras sanas y seguras, nutrición, creatividad, auto-estima, liderazgo, respeto y mas. El programa se va a realizar a traves de tres etapas que estan vinculadas con proyectos planificados que los alumnos van a realizar. Tambien, charlas para los profesores y padres, para que ellos puedan ayudar con el avance de sus hijos en una manera optima. El programa VALE empieza con la exploración del mundo, pasa a la comunidad y finaliza con la exploración de su propia persona. El principio esta diseñado con ideas generales para captar la atencion y el interes de los alumnos. De esta manera ellos pueden estar más comodos con su instructor y compañeros para hablar de temas más personales. El programa dura seis meses, para que el voluntario del Cuerpo de Pas pueda ser el instructor el primer ciclo y elegir un aprendiz para el segundo ciclo. Este aprendiz puede continuar el programa cuando el voluntario haya regresado a los Estados Unidos. Hay dos programas: uno para los jóvenes de 6-12 años de edad (Primaria), otro para adolescentes de 13-18 años (Secundaria), pero los dos van a seguir la misma estructura basica.

Para entrar al programa cada alumno, sus padres, su instructor y su director necesita firmar un compromiso (Apéndice Q). También los miembros de la Municipalidad van a firmar un compromiso para asegurar su apoyo al proyecto de VALE (Apéndice R). Estos compromisos no son solamente un permiso para el estudiante, sino tambien es una promesa de que todos van a ayudad este alumno a leer y atender sus reuniones de VALE a tiempo. Por cada dia que el estudiante haya atendido la reunion de VALE y por cada libro que el estudiante haya leido el/ella va a recibir un esticker. Si el estudiante ha obtenido 24 estickers al terminar el programa recibira un certificado especial de VALE y una invitacion para una fiesta a la que podran asistir con sus padres. Los adolescentes van a organizar esta fiesta y ceremonia de certificados. (APPENDIX VALE)

Con el programa VALE y un fuerte interés por parte de la comunidad, el pueblo de Madrigal y el Cuerpo de Paz podran trabajar juntos para mejorar el nivel de vida de los ciudadanos de Madrigal y al mismo tiempo mantener intacta la riqueza de su cultura.