My Experience at CusiMaky by Kunihiro Katsuragi

I can’t say that I was part of the organization because I was just a tourist in Peru.  But thanks to my friend, Magali, I could be part of this organization even if it was short term.  I can’t say thank you enough for the opportunity that I was given.  Because of this experience, I could know what is going on outside of my country.  I don’t say I know everything happening in the world, but I guess I stepped into the real world.  I’m from Japan, and in Japan I watched a lot of videos and read a lot of articles about developing countries but none of them caught my attention, because those are too unreal to accept as a real thing.

In Japan we don’t have people begging, dying on the street…  I didn’t see something extreme like that in Peru I just saw children who are wearing same clothes every day.  That’s it. But that was so real.  You might think I’m blessed, ignorant, and overreacting.  And yes, I AM.  I realized it.  So that is why I want to thank to the opportunity and to the organization.

My Experience at CusiMaky by Clinton Blair

When I originally began planning my trip to Peru, my idea was simply to visit a friend. I felt apprehensive when he suggested I volunteer with him. Although I had previously taught abroad, I had never combined tourism with work. My experience at CusiMaky conquered those apprehensions. In the end, volunteering became one of the most rewarding, memorable parts of the trip. I had the chance to get to know Cusco in an incredibly authentic way, by meeting its people. And I was smitten from day one.

When I walked into the project, I was greeted by the other volunteers as if I were an old friend. Their genuine kindness made me feel at home and their care and compassion for the kids was infectious. These are hardworking individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving the lives of children. Their devotion is illustrated in their preparation of meals for the kids, in the individual attention they provide for daily homework help, and in their focus on providing basic life skills like hand-washing and teeth-brushing.

And the children! From day one, they called me “tio” (uncle). They wanted to be picked up and swung around, chased and raced. As playful as they were, they were also very interested learning English. One day they demonstrated this commitment by choosing English class over a movie. The younger kids enjoyed their crafts and songs while the older kids loved to compete in English games. Everyday ended with a hug “goodbye.” There is a special poignancy in seeing how different their lives are; they come from an impoverished, difficult neighborhood and yet still exude a sense of joy.

My time in Peru was sprinkled with visits to museums and historic colonial churches, a day trip to Incan ruins, a hike up to Machu Picchu, and lunches sampling that famous Peruvian cuisine. But in the end, when I think of Peru, I don't think about the beauty of the Andes, the leashed llamas, or the delicious ceviche. I think about the warm greetings and the affectionate goodbyes, the excited voices of kids playing English games, and the ubiquitous chants of “cárgame" (lift me). As much as I love my travel photos, souvenirs and tours, this will not be the last summer I spend volunteering.

My Experience at CusiMaky by Emma Farley

My name is Emma Farley. I am twenty years old and I am from the United States. I volunteered as the English teacher at CusiMaky during July of 2016. It is almost difficult to put into words my experience at CusiMaky because it changed my life. When I first arrived in Cusco, I had no idea what I was doing. I was in an unfamiliar city, and although I had traveled on my own before, I didn’t have much experience working with kids. I was nervous that I would be a bad teacher or make a mistake.

But my fears didn’t last for long. First of all, I had the other volunteers to help me with all of my questions. I immediately felt welcomed into the CusiMaky family. Jeni and Ines welcomed me like a sister, and the other volunteers from all over the world are some of the best people I have had the chance to know. During my time there I met and became friends with volunteers from Belgium, the Netherlands, Canada, the UK, Hungary, Australia, and the US, just to name a few.

And of course, I got to know the amazing children for whom CusiMaky exists. From my first day of teaching them, I knew that they are children with bright minds and hearts full of love. I was constantly amazed at how the kids smiled, laughed, and loved each moment of life, even though many of them come from families who have very little. Their positive attitude and outlook on life is absolutely inspiring.

CusiMaky aims to teach these wonderful kids about nutrition and development towards becoming active and productive members of society while also helping them with their schoolwork and teaching them English. When I left Cusco to return home to the US, I left a piece of my heart at CusiMaky. I know that I will go back someday. Many volunteers travel abroad to change the world and teach others how to be successful, but I believe that many go home realizing that they themselves have been changed, and they learned a thing or two about their own lives.