My Aims and Objectives:
I can't believe how quickly time is flying here in Peru. I was welcomed so warmly by Yony, the woman who is hosting me in her home for the duration of my stay, and the team I've been working with at the Andean Alliance for Sustainable Development (AASD) and their partner organisation, Raíces Andinas.
Having organised a self-led LiA, it took me a little while to find my feet and nail down my targets for my LiA, as I have to appreciate that I am an addition to an already busy team, who have never hosted a Laidlaw Scholar before! But after a few discussions, I managed to consolidate my aims and objectives as follows:
Firstly, I had a personal goal of improving my Spanish. I feel I am certainly making good progress on this, as my host family doesn't speak any English - there's no room for embarrassment when you have no other option!
With the organisation I am working with, I have two main aims. The first is to design and develop a brochure about their activities and offerings. There are two main parts to the organisation, with one side hosting students for experiential learning trips which in turn funds the NGO side, which has a range of projects such as a coffee cooperative, and organic teaching farm. I have had the opportunity to meet some of these communities and consequently have been put in a good place to put together some informative material about their work, plus bringing a UK/European perspective as to how they might approach schools and universities from these regions. Secondly, I am also helping them to deliver an experiential learning programme for a group that arrives this week. I am looking forward to meeting them and facilitating community interaction and learning.
Reflections so far:
I have had some great conversations during my time in Peru, and feel privileged that I am seeing two sides to the operation of the NGO. Some highlights so far have included meeting Yesica, who runs an organic farm and teaches other local farmers about seed-saving and more environmentally friendly cultivation methods. We discussed how things have changed in the last few years due to the effects of climate change - it is evident that these incremental changes in seasonal conditions have a real impact for farmers here, who without a successful yield, are vulnerable to lost income and all the knock on effects that can bring. I saw this for myself when walking through her farm and seeing a whole field of dead strawberry plants after an uncharacteristic frost this season. Learning about the coffee cooperative facilitated by the AASD has also been really interesting. It works through a similar principal as FairTrade, allowing farmers to receive fair pay for their product, giving economic security even when yields are lower. It also means I have enjoyed some great coffee in the office and have been promised a bag to take home with me!
I am also pleased with how my Spanish is coming along. Despite still not being able to say as much as I would like (it can sometimes be frustrating not having the words for what you want to say!) my understanding has already improved, which has allowed me to have some great conversations with my host family; about life in Peru versus the UK, and of course sharing stories of friends and family!
I only have a week and a half left in Peru, as the start of my year abroad in Mexico draws ever closer... meaning I will conclude some of my LiA work remotely. Nevertheless, I can't wait to make the most out of the time I have left, and learn more from the wonderful people and places Peru has to offer!