Sunday, September 26, 2010

A Summer in Cañete, Peru

I learned about Coprodeli though the office of the Embassy of Peru, whom I contacted requesting information and suggestions on volunteer opportunities. To my excitement, I received a message shortly after referring me to the Coprodeli organization. Dedicated to providing essential needs to Peruvian families, Coprodeli stationed me to teach English in one of the new elementary schools that was undergoing construction in San Luis. I was blessed with the opportunity to dedicate three short months of work in one of the most remarkable and truly eye-opening experiences I have undergone. What began as an internship quickly developed into a devoted relationship between with the wonderful community within which I worked.

The first thing I did upon landing in Lima was start introducing myself as “Mateo,” instead of “Matt.” I already knew some basic Spanish but, nevertheless, I jumped right in asking questions and conversing with the locals. I arrived with no expectations regarding living arrangements and I was not disheartened to find that my room was a simple wooden structure built among others without heat or water. I was appreciative of the single light bulb and roof above my head that kept out the damp air and rain.

I worked steady for several weeks getting to know the students at the school, the parents, and the community. I was shocked at how optimistic and content they were. Upon my inquiries or comments on things such as the lack of hot water they would respond, “Así es, Mateo.” That’s the way it is. The more I heard it, the more things I had taken for granted all my life became much more aware, before they disappeared completely. The values of friendship, family, love, and religion came into much sharper focus and quickly replaced the high perceived values of material items.

The turning point of my time in San Luis came the day I talked to Brenda, the secretary, about the wage of the teachers working at the school. She told me they received around S/.1200, or $400, each month. I was shocked because I had seen how hard these teachers worked, and I felt they deserved more. However, Brenda continued by telling me that this amount is what they would be receiving if the government were paying them, which they are not. Coprodeli affirmed that employees at the school in San Luis, along with several others, were not receiving salaries. Yet, the teachers continued to show up every day, often working long past their scheduled hours and sometimes into the night past dark. It was at that moment that I felt a powerful obligation to better these people’s lives and match the dedication of the teachers. They became my new role models as I worked harder thinking that maybe, by the end of my term I could reach their level of commitment and hard work.

My memories in Peru are filled with smiles and laughter, the girls teaching me how to dance to Shakira, and the boys attempting to teach me how to play soccer. The tears didn’t come until the end, when the staff, students and parents gathered to throw me a surprise going away party and each stood up and spoke words of appreciation. I was rewarded in many ways but I feel as though there is much more to be done. I have seen what real passion and dedication looks like. It is my new goal to match this dedication and hopefully one day become an inspiration to others as my friends in Peru inspired me.


-Matt Schmidgall, Northern Arizona University

Coprodeli Peru Intern, Summer 2010