November 2006

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Peruvian Journey–2006
by Ginger Riley

Editor's Note: Ginger Riley is a board member of the ICPJ.

Tuesday, September 28, 2006 found me on a second trip to Peru. The first one was an adventure trip in 1995, but this one was a very special visit to a little girl and her family.

Silvia is a sweet, shy, four-year-old girl I sponsor through PLAN International, formerly Foster Parents Plan.

Prior to arriving in Cusco, Peru (the ancient capital of the Incas), I did not realize the travel conditions involved with such a visit to the Highlands of the Andes. Quite early in the morning, several PLAN staff picked me up at the hotel to begin the trip–the driver of the Toyota pick-up truck, a person to translate from Quechua to Spanish, and someone to translate from Spanish to English. So the four of us traveled over a dusty, rocky, dangerous mountain road, but the scenery was absolutely breathtaking from the high mountain peaks to the valley depths below.

We stopped at several villages along the way. The first stop was for breakfast, which was in a home with several tables with chairs in the front room. Approximately seven hours later, we arrived at a school (built by PLAN), where the entire community had come out to welcome us. The seniors were dancing in the school yard and performed a special dance in my honor. They also presented me with a beautiful appliqued skirt and hat made of sheepskin to match. I later learned that I was the first sponsor to visit this remote area since 2005 (when only one man visited), so they look forward to outside visitors.

After approximately another half hour of bumpy travel, we arrived at the remote village of Silvia and her family. Once again, the entire community was there to greet us. Silvia lives with her mother, father, brother, sister, and grandfather in an adobe house. Life can be harsh there with cold temperatures in the winter. Electric service has not reached this community, so cooking is done on a brazier, and the main fuel is animal dung. Kerosene lamps are used for light. Families are very poor, so they survive together. Quechua is the old Incan language which is spoken in the homes. However, Spanish is being taught in the school.

After meeting the family, PLAN representatives and I were treated to a meal of soup, potatoes and chicken, served by Silvia's sister in the yard. We then presented them with gifts I brought from the United States, and Silvia was overjoyed with the little stuffed and furry puppy. We walked to the community school which PLAN helped to build, and discussed future improvements. As we prepared to leave, they presented me with a lovely woolen jacket which actually matches the skirt and hat I received at the previous village. My stay was short compared with the travel time it took us to reach the village, but certainly worth it all.

After traveling back over the mountainous road to Cusco and rejoining the other sponsors (7 from PLAN Canada and 6 of us from PLAN USA), we visited numerous sites where PLAN has provided schools and other programs to meet the needs of individual children, their families and communities. Smiles on the faces of these beautiful children showed the enthusiasm, appreciation and love for PLAN and its sponsors, who help to provide them with the opportunity for education and community development. PLAN helps people to help themselves, and the recipients receive self-esteem through their accomplishments.

For more information on PLAN, go to www.planusa.org, or phone 1-800-556-7918. You may also go to the website www.plan.international.org.

In front: Ginger's sponsored child, Silvia; left to right in back: Silvia's father, Ginger, Silvia's mother, Silvia's sister, Silvia's brother.

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Last updated December 5, 2006

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