Feliz Cumpleanos!

Yesterday was the 3 year birthday of INTIWAWA. So at 4pm we had a big party in San Isidro with a huge spread of food, lots of cake, and lots of dancing. It was all of the volunteers, all of the Peruvian volunteers, all of the children, and all of the mothers of San Isidro. There was a beautiful segment of speeches where every group was represented.

The mother who spoke for all of the moms said the following to the foreign volunteers (like myself):

"Y a los extranjeros: Muchas Gracias. Ustedes vienen con el amor, la voluntad, la carisma, y la seriedad. Muchas mujeres en este pueblo dicen: "Por que tiene que ir a INTIWAWA hoy a mi nino?" Es porque para los ninos es importante el amor que traen, los besos, los abrazos, los "Te Quieros". Que vivan los extranjeros de INTIWAWA.

Translation: To the foreign volunteers: Thank you so much. You all come with love, with the will to work, with charisma, and with seriousness. Many mothers in this village ask: "Why does my child have to go to INTIWAWA today?" It's because, to the children, it's important the love you bring with you, the kisses, the hugs, the "I love you's". May the volunteers of INTIWAWA live forever!



Then, I, by default (for being the only volunteer currently who speaks Spanish), was the representative for all the 'gringos'. Here's what I said:

"Bueno, hablo por todo los extranjeros cuando diga "Muchisimias Gracias por los Bienvenidos a sus familias y a su pueblo". Hemos venido por la experiencia de viajar y todo de eso, pero nos hemos quedado por los ninos."

TRANSLATION:"I speak for all of the volunteers when I say "Thank you so, so much for welcoming us in to your families and to your village. We came for the experience of traveling, but we have stayed for the children."



Some random photos of Arequipa (some of them are really old - from the end of February and Valentine's Day), enjoy!