La Grama

Although I am completely exhausted, I want to share everything we experienced today. First, the group I am traveling with is wonderful, and I hope we are building lasting friendships. We woke up early, had breakfast at 7, same restaurant (there is really only one in San Marcos). It was very light--those bars I packed are coming in handy. We took the van about 1 1/2 hours through the mountains to La Grama. The ride was amazing. We were in the clouds at one point. It was cold and rainy; the roads muddy. Rainy season just started jn November. Good for us as landslides are not yet a problem. I saw oxen, cattle, sheep, donkeys, bulls, chickens, dogs, pigs and roosters. The towns were mostly agricultural. La Grama is one of the two most poor regions in Peru. You can't understand until you experience it--even being here and working with these people I am sure I have no idea what their lives are really like.

We visited a primary school--kids Nina's age! They were funny and smart and sung two songs to us when we left. Mostly girls in the class and I saw several Disney characters.
We then went to the secondary school. The children are starting a program to prevent adolescent girls leaving school (the other site Reed sponsors) (15-18 years old). They split into groups of girls and boys and talked about gender differences in their region. The girls had a LOT to say. The boys said males had more freedom, and ran the household, worked in farms and took care of the animals. The girls talked about the boys not speaking well to them, not communicating, not admitting when they are wrong, and that they cook, clean, take care of children. The facilitator asked about changing attitudes. The girls suggested ways the boys could change. The boys didn't seem convinced, but we could tell it was making them think. The program will last two years and involves parents and teachers too.
The most striking part was when our Reed executive asked who their role models are. Most had no answer. The silence was quite loud.
We then visited a newly build primary school. This was a much smaller school and the classes were combined into 3rd and 4th. We didn't have much time in this location. After lunch, we visited a family's home and their guinea pig farm (which is why I ate the Guinea pig LAST night). The woman told us the money from the farm (through a co-op sponsored by Plan), has allowed them to send their son to private school.
Their home had several walls missing-was 2 /3 rooms total, not a complete roof. No electricity. The woman's smile lit up the entire place.
Last, we visited an early development center where mothers learn how to better interact with their young children. Women work in the home all day un Peru and often don't pay much attention to their babies, worn on their back. The babies were delightful, and the toddlers very sweet. I told the 3 year old boy next to me he was a very good boy and that my 3 year old son at home never sat quietly for so long. Difficult to leave that center...
The ride home was shorter than it felt on the way there, and much quieter than our group has been during the rest of the trip so far. Our wonderful guide from Plan Peru left with our Reed executive, and hopefully they made all of their flights on time!
Dinner tonight--where shall we go???!!! Then up in the morning and back to Cajamarca--the nicest hotel we've stayed in in Peru so I am sure we will all be glad to get back. However, we have made memories today that will probably never be forgotten.