Peru Cuzco Testimonials

Our mission was to build the foundation of a bathroom for the kids in the Albergue. I've learnt a lot through this process, and was in touch with tools that otherwise would not even touch the rest of my life (i.e. the mixer, pick ax, etc). I felt very accomplished after we poured the cement on the floor, imagining kids running around in the summer, and the bathroom is on their right-hand side. Although the process was hard and demanding, beholding the idea of making their life even a bit easier made all the efforts seemed to be worthy.

We got a whole day to visit Machu Picchu, one of the seven wonders of the world. It was truly mind-blowing. The intelligence and precision of the Inca Empire was insane - the accuracy in direction, the efficiency in using the stones, and the forestall in location. I fell in love with local food, too. The passion fruit is so delicious that I would have brought some back to the States with me. Overall, I had a very good time.

Peruvians are a lot simpler and easier to get along with. With the less developed technology, people still do not get on the internet that often, which results in the close and friendly relationship between neighbors. The way they trust each other - even foreigners - struck me the most. Also their hospitality, left me a wonderful impression of Peru.

Globe Aware indeed provided me an opportunity to reach out and help people. Do not hesitate about it, because as it is said on the motto, I had fun while helping people. Thank you Globe Aware, for giving me an unforgettable 2012 Summer. - Angela Wang, June 2012

My trip to Peru was not my first time out of the United States, but it was my first voluntourism trip. It fulfilled my childhood dreams and changed me forever. I cannot wait to go again, and take my children when they are older. The places we worked in Peru and the work Globe Aware volunteers do there are fantastic. I worked hard, but the work was good. We did some landscaping, continued laying a cement floor, played games with the children, and helped with English homework. The coordinator Rocio is amazing, and I cannot thank her enough.

The country is beautiful. The sites are majestic. This city is historic. Those are all great things, but being involved in this program gave me so much more. This trip gave me a real experience with the culture and the people of Peru. The people I met during my week in Cuzco were genuine, kind, and welcoming. The children are sweet and funny and I am lucky to have spent time with them.

Volunteering, no matter where you do it, makes the world a better place. I am absolutely certain of this. I have been volunteering since I was a child, thanks to my family. And my passion for helping others was really ignited by some fabulous people I was honored to serve with in the military. Volunteering brings you a sense of humility, appreciation, and compassion.

It is difficult to put my experience into words, as I feel words cannot do it justice. Big Heart Home (translated from Quechua), Peru, and the people I met in my travels there hold a special place in my heart. The experience was beyond incredible. If you have an opportunity to go on a voluntourism trip, do it! You will not regret it. Just keep an open mind and an open heart, for that is certainly what you will receive from everyone there. Thank you Globe Aware and all the volunteers for all that you do around the world! - April McCarthy Morgan, April 2012 (as submitted for Volunteer of the Month contest)

Working with the children, working in and around the home, experiencing the rich culture, and making connections were so meaningful to me. Every aspect of my week was rich and meaningful. We cleared a bunch of weeds that were overtaking the soccer field/basketball court. Then during the free time of the day, we played a great game of soccer with some of the kids. That was a great moment - seeing the benefit of the labor. Then we went to work on the cement floor of the future classroom. Helping out with that project, knowing that the children will have a place to study away from distraction was great.

There was plenty of food and it was FANTASTIC. I miss the food! Every meal, I was raving about how fabulous the food was. It was fresh and full of wonderful flavor. There was a good amount of free time. I was able to visit an internet cafe within a minute's walk to check my email. I had time to call home as well.

The room was great! The view was spectacular. The shower had warm water. The beds were cozy. The architecture was great. The stairs are a great reminder of the altitude :)

Everyone is so happy and laid back, but they definitely aren't afraid to work hard, even the kids. Since there was a teacher strike while I was there, the boys were involved in laying the cement floor and separating the rocks. For a major city, it was so peaceful. I loved waking up to the sound of roosters in the morning and hearing the neighbor's radio while working outside during the afternoon. There was no rushing traffic or loud city sounds that I'm accustomed to in the States. The albergue was so restful, even when I was working hard. The history is rich and I was so happy to get to learn some Quechua and see the kids doing many things to keep a hold of their heritage. Seeing the Inca influence throughout the city and daily life was really special. Ruins are scattered everywhere. I was so impressed to see the rural areas on the outskirts of Cusco. It really is a beautiful place with amazing people. The generosity of the people I met throughout my trip was unmatched to anywhere I have been. They share what they have with you and with each other. It makes you feel welcome. You quickly feel a part of the community. Everyone there makes you feel welcomed into their hearts and home. - April McCarthy-Morgan, April 2012

It's too cold and too early. On the way here our van became stuck in the mud and we had to push it out. We have taken over a tiny mud brick school room. We are lucky, we have a bare light bulb hanging on a rusty wire, two rickety wooden chairs and my head doesn't quite hit the ceiling beams. My younger daughter Bailey is outside teaching dental hygiene in Spanish to groups of children and adults, many of whom have never owned a toothbrush. My older daughter Zoe is assisting me and translating as my wife Juliet is "sterilizing" dental tools and tending to post-op care. I am extracting painfully abscessed teeth as quickly as I can. I have a long line of patients snaking out the door. A llama wanders by, the sun is breaking through the clouds and the mountains are stunning. We will be at it all day and I wouldn't want to be anywhere else.

I had a plan. Study hard, graduate from dental school and work hard. I would build a successful dental practice, travel, enjoy life and live for myself.

Life, however, had a different plan. I married Juliet when I was 34 and two daughters soon followed. My old plan of living for myself was laughable when I became a parent.

In order to give our daughters a better understanding of other people and their cultures, we began traveling around the world on school breaks and during the summers. By their teenage years, observing other cultures was not enough, we had to become involved, become part of a community and serve.

We decided that dentristry was how we could give something back.There were countless opportunities for me, as a dentist, to volunteer; but only Globe Aware would allow us to have our kids actually working side by side as a family.

We chose Cusco and have been back every year for 4 years. My entire office gets involved in gathering donated toothpaste, toothbrushes from Colgate and dental supplies. We carry in all our equipment and bring in our own "backpack" dental clinic to tiny, remote villages. Each year our outreach grows touching more communities. Last year we saw nearly 400 patients in 4 clinic days. The people we see receive no dental or medical care. If they have a toothache, they may live with excruciating pain for a lifetime. Most kindergardeners have molars decayed all the way to the gum line. People still die from dental infections in these tiny Quechuan villages. I am humbled by them.

As our project has grown, we are creating and funding a year round dental hygiene program for the villages and will be providing toothpaste and toothbrushes for distribution. We are reaching out to local dentists in Cusco to join us.

What began as a 1 week project has morphed into a year round process of planning and execution. We have had so much support from our adopted Peruvian 'family' in Cusco, and this project could have never gotten off the ground without the tireless effort of our Globe Aware coordinator and dear friend, Rocio Enriquez.

For our family, helping people IS having fun! - Rob Underill, March 2012