Week Five: Implementing the Art Craft Fair

The fifth week marked a significant milestone in our journey as we successfully implemented the art craft fair with the indigenous women of the Cantagallo community. Initially, there were challenges—trust was a major issue. The women had previously been deceived by a businessman who took all their crafts without paying them. This experience made them understandably cautious. However, after numerous discussions and a transparent presentation of our proposal, they decided to trust us. We were incredibly grateful for their openness and willingness to work together.

To ensure the fair's success, we employed a multi-faceted promotional strategy. We collaborated with our friends from Killa Natural to contact influencers and spread the word. We handed out around 200 flyers to tourists, and our volunteers helped amplify our efforts by posting about the fair on social media. The Comunidad Perú, Killa Natural, and Selina Lima hotel accounts also shared the event, and we put up posters in different areas of the hotel.

The results exceeded our expectations. The women earned more than 1,000 soles, a stark contrast to the mere 80 soles they would typically make at previous fairs. More importantly, they were happy with the fair's conditions—something they hadn't experienced before. In the past, they hadn't been provided with sanitary areas or food during their fairs, so this positive change was significant. We were thrilled with the outcome and hopeful that this could become a regular event with the hotel, fostering a sustainable source of income for the women.

Week Six: An Emotional Farewell

The sixth week was emotionally charged as our time in Lima neared its end. Despite the heavy atmosphere, we continued our work with the children in Cantagallo, giving them English and drawing lessons and providing breakfast and lunch as usual. The children’s smiles and eagerness to learn made each day both joyful and bittersweet, knowing that our departure was imminent.

As the final days approached, I found myself reflecting deeply on this experience. It has shaped me in countless ways—both personally and professionally. I am incredibly grateful to everyone who made this journey so impactful: the scholars I worked with, Judith and Paula from Make Sense Americas ,Comunidad Perú, our dedicated volunteers, and, of course, the resilient people of the Cantagallo community.

This experience has not only expanded my understanding of the world but also allowed me to form beautiful friendships that I will cherish and nurture for years to come. I am particularly thankful to the LaidLaw Foundation for providing this life-changing opportunity. If given the chance, I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

As I leave Lima, I carry with me a heart full of love and gratitude for the people I've met and the lessons I've learned. This chapter may be closing, but its impact will stay with me forever