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“I Think I’m Going to Love This Place I’m Entering”

Nov 21, 2011

Peru

Reflections from Teen Volunteer on VISIONS Peru

Kelsey Freeman, an eleventh grad student at Colorado Rocky Mountain School in Carbondale, CO was in Peru last summer with us as a youth volunteer.  Kelsey shared this essay about how her Peru community service program has influenced her life since returning home.

My heart swelled and a feeling of love permeated my entire body. I gripped Esebastian’s coarse hand, while my other arm extended to Raul’s tiny fingers; barely big enough to grasp my hand. I wanted to frame this moment, for soon I would be on a plane home. When it was time to say goodbye, Esebastian turned towards me, clasping both my hands in his palms. He smiled that toothless grin that had become so familiar to me over the summer. “No te vayas o voy a llorar” (Don’t go or I’m going to cry), he said, and suddenly that smile faded. “Vas a quedarse a dentro de mi corazon” (you’ll stay in my heart). I met his gaze. “Igualamente. Te amo” (It’s the same for me. I love you), was all I could manage.

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A Month in Peru, by Lindy Labriola

Nov 18, 2011

A MONTH IN PERU

by Lindy Labriola (2011 VISIONS Peru)

Over the course of the sweltering month of July, I had the unique opportunity to escape the Hudson Valley heat and travel to the snowcapped peaks of the Andes mountains and down into the sacred valleys of Peru. Once there, I planned to contribute to various community service projects and experience authentic Peruvian culture.  The country is currently in its winter season, but fortunately is nothing like our cold snowy climate. Surprisingly, the only reason the gargantuan mountains had snow on them at all was because it had been raining a week preceding my arrival and continued in chilly deluges for another week after. Rain is a phenomenon practically unheard of in Peru this time of year. The months of April to October are Peru’s annual dry season when rainfall ceases and farmers rely solely on irrigation systems to supply water. Because of the uncharacteristic torrents, many essential canals that network the mountains and transport water to the vast quilt-like fields of crops were damaged or destroyed.
 As devastating as these events were, they gave my trip a heightened sense of purpose. 

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Thank You from the Parent of a "DC Scholar"

Oct 23, 2009

Dear Visions Program Directors & Staff,

I have been meaning to write you to tell you what an impact your programs has had on my children. My son David, did the Peru program in 2003 and the Alaska program in 2004, both of which he enjoyed tremendously and benefited him greatly.

My daughter Anna, did the Montana (Blackfeet reservation) trip in 2007 and the Vietnam trip in 2008. She had nothing but wonderful things to say about both programs; she said they were amazing experiences, and she made many wonderful friends that she still keeps in touch with. She said to me the other day that she misses Vietnam. I know she would like to return there.

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Peru Director Debuts Feature Length Documentary

May 25, 2009

“Mi Chacra” (My Land), the first feature-length documentary film by Jason Burlage, who staffed and then directed VISIONS Peru (2005 through 2007), was chosen to debut at the Denver Film Festival in November.  Jason spent a year filming in the Sacred Valley and another year-plus editing and completing his film.

2008 and 2009 VISIONS Peru participants will be interested to know that it was Neyda Barazosdo’s husband who accompanied Jason during most of the filming (Neyda is our cook in Peru).  “Mi Chacra” is fiscally sponsored by the non-profit organization Documentary Educational Resources (DER) and supported by private donations.

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South Kent Students Remember VISIONS Summers

Feb 21, 2009

Two VISIONS participants who were on two different programs last summer wrote in detail about their experiences in their school magazine. Blake Taylor was in Peru and Patrick Fleming in Alaska. Blake and Patrick both attend South Kent School, a college preparatory school for boys in South Kent, CT.

“After just a few days, our diverse group became a family, living, eating, speaking with each other and simply being our true selves… Urubamba became a ‘home away from home.’” writes Blake. His group worked in Paclamayo and Collanos communities “installing bathrooms, constructing adobe walls and digging irrigation canals… installing better burning stoves and teaching English” in other villages. “We hiked to tremendous heights, spoke in native tongues and explored deep into the Incan culture…”

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Language Immersion and Community Service

Feb 20, 2009

¿Habla Español?  Etudiez-vous français?

Just ask our references. When you eat dinner, dance and have karaoke nights, talk about culture, customs, and history with local friends, ride to work sites and recreation activities with local teens and our long-time drivers, spend time in the kitchen setting up or putting away meals with our local cooks, make sorbet and net fish with our friends... You can’t resist wanting to practice your Spanish or French skills when the language is all around you and the people so genuinely eager to know you. The project sites are where language is ambient and easily absorbed from

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“I can’t believe it has been an entire month since we left [Peru]...” ~ Reflections from a Youth Volunteer

Dec 12, 2008

This is a letter that teen volunteer, Lindsey Cope, wrote to one of her VISIONS program staffers.


Dear Vicky,

I can't believe it has been an entire month since we left and I just wanted to thank you for the most incredible experience of my life. When I first heard about Visions, I knew that it was something I wanted to do. I had never tried something so foreign and new to me, and I couldn't believe I was going to...travel to a place I had wanted to go since I was a little girl learning how to count in Spanish from my Peruvian babysitter. (I also learned what diablita meant, after being called one quite often :) Every day during our four weeks I woke up with complete excitement and gratitude for where I was. And that was definitely something new to me.
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“I felt more alive...for 27 days than I have ever felt before.”

Feb 22, 2008

This is my senior year, so do look forward to my emails because I would be very interested in your advice. Well, I’m at home, and enjoying the humidity. The sun isn’t as strong but the storms and humidity make up for it, haha.

Yeah, I was noticing the other day how each of the staffers were a role model (you included). I can’t say I didn’t look up to you guys, and I enjoyed the experience with as much appreciation as I could possibly have. I learned a lot from you guys. (Do you have their  emails too?)

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Friend in Peru: Jahir Sanchez

Sep 25, 2006
Many members of the VISIONS community already know about Jahir Sanchez’ accident last August [Jahir is the 17-year-old son of our longtime cook in Peru , Lucila Sanchez Bossio — Lucy to us.] Jahir was leaning on the balcony railing of their second story home in Urubamba when the railing collapsed; he fell to the cobblestone street below, landing on his head. He has been in a coma ever since. Surgery went well, and his surgeon hopes that Jahir’s youth will increase his odds for recovery. Recently, he began moving his head and neck, and opening
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New Spanish Program Sites in the Works

Sep 25, 2006

VISIONS has witnessed a growing increase in and demand for language immersion programs, specifically, SPANISH! Our waiting lists this season for both the Dominican Republic and Peru programs are as long as they’ve ever been.

An immediate response to the demand was the late addition this season of an August session in Peru (August 2 – 23). Similar to the July session, we will work in Urubamba to build adobe structures, volunteer in Pintacha School, and assist environmental initiatives. Our home base will move from La Salle School to Hacienda Yaravilca, about 20 minutes from Urubamba, situated on the banks of the Vilconata River.

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