2010... That Went Fast!

This year was an incredible year for Light and Leadership. We offered more than 500 English classes to over 120 students, designed a case management system for our participants, opened new Chess and Math programs, began integration of a set curriculum, moved to a bigger and brighter classroom space and volunteer home, and plus, we saw over 50 volunteers from Finland to Australia contribute to LLI's goal of accessible and quality education! It was a fantastic year and we are so grateful to all of those who support us, specifically our Alpaca Club Members (find out how to join here)!

December closed out 2010 for LLI with a bang... literally. LLI volunteers took nine of Light and Leadership's most dedicated and top performing students to see STOMP, the percussion and music show, where kids watched bright eyed as the perfomers banged away on everything on stage. Beforehand, kids were treated to a full "pollo a la brasa" meal and delicious dessert! Great job kids, keep of the FANTASTIC work!

LLI also treated our other students who had participated in our programs to special attendance prizes. Prizes were awarded according to their attendance percentage... kids enjoyed choosing between brand new board games, puzzles, dolls, t-shirts, and more! Great work kids!

Also, Light and Leadership held it's second Chess tournament! The two finalists were once again Hericka and Jhordy, but this time Hericka came out on top! Excellent! Look for the next chess tournament at the end of February.

If 2010 was this good, we better look out for 2011! We have a full volunteer house scheduled to start our programs on January 10th, plus a Trinity Christian College Interim group will be holding a day camp. Our programs will continue in Art, Physical Education, English, French, Math, Chess, Dance, and soon we will be offering Keyboarding and Typing! Stay tuned.

Thanks again to everyone who made 2010 such a success for Light and Leadership! We look forward to next year!

Published by Lara DeVries on behalf of the Light and Leadership Initiative. Photos provided by Sarah Renkert and Christine Garcia. For more information, please visit www.lightandleadership.org

LLI's Art Auction is ON!

Start Bidding!!! Beautiful artwork from Sergio Gomez, Barbara Anderson, Javier Chavira, Anna DeVries, John Bakker, Jack Findlay, Marv Van Wyck and MORE!

Be sure to start bidding now-- the auction ends on Saturday, December 4th, at 7:30 PM (Central Time).

Thanks for your support and special thanks to ALL of our contributing artists :) We appreciate it!

Field Trips are Great.

LLI has been enjoying the high season for field trips. This past Saturday, LLI took some students (ages 13 and up) to Lima's National Museum, where they learned about the recent history of the Shining Path, a terrorist group that was active in the 1980s and 1990s. Huaycan played an important role in the nation's history during this time. Only one out of the eleven students had been to the museum, so it was a first for so many!

Speaking of firsts, some kids also experienced their first elevator ride :)

After the museum, LLI students had some fun at the Parque de la Reserva, a collection of water fountains in Lima!

Under the water tunnel


Waiting for the big "fountain show" to start!

Once again, thanks to Franzi Weil and Sarah Renkert for coordinating and leading the field trip. Fantastic job!

Published by Lara DeVries, on behalf of Light and Leadership. Visit www.lightandleadership.org for more info on how to get involved!

It's Something Incredible.

It's big. It's beautiful. It's LLI's new classroom in Zone Z!


Last week, thanks to specially raised funds, LLI purchased a new and much needed classroom space for our English, Art, and Phys. Ed classes in Zone Z of Huaycan. Last Friday, the Board of Directors for Zone Z threw us an inauguration party. After working in Zone Z for more than 18 months, I've come to know this Board quite well. They've offered support to us just as we (LLI) has offered it to them.

Last Friday was something incredible. I love that after a year and a half, I still get that "warm, tingly feeling" after listening to community members thank Light and Leadership for our dedication to their community, specifically to their kids. Their gratefulness is so sincere. Elena, our community contact in Zone Z, told me later, "Lara, I am so happy. Light and Leadership has made this possible and I am so happy."

In addition to being a classroom space for LLI, the Board of Directors of Zone Z will be able to hold meetings in the building. Previously, they had met in the street (the building before was too small for community meetings).

Special thanks to Maura Cato, mother of current LLI's volunteer Tara Cato, for holding an "afternoon tea" fundraiser in Australia to support the purchase of this building. LLI's support is growing internationally, THANKS!

View of the outside of the building.

Volunteers Christine and Franzi with Zone Z Board Members at the Inauguration

Some of the Zone Z Board Members and Lara DeVries in front of the previous building.

Published by Lara DeVries, Light and Leadership Initiative. Photos provided by Lara DeVries and Sarah Renkert. Visit www.lightandleadership.org for more information.

LLI's Art Auction Returns!!!

It's baaaack! LLI's Art Auction begins November 26th at midnight. Featuring works from Sergio Gomez (pictured, "The Road III"), Jenny Vrieze, Ron Lavery, Liz Popp, Gina Rende, Michael Ruback, Anna DeVries, Dan Diephouse, Steve and Julane Bellin, and Karen Gross!

Check out our online preview and get ready to bid on November 26, 2010 (auction held through eBay)! Auction concludes at the Alpaca Party, a fundraiser for LLI, on Saturday, December 4th. Interested in attending the party? Contact info@lightandleadership.org for more information.

Bid, Bid, Bid! :)

Whoa! Volunteer in Peru AND Paid Airfare?!

Looking to gain experience in the non-profit world? Speak excellent Spanish and want to volunteer abroad? BE LLI'S HOUSE MANAGER!

The Light and Leadership Initiative (LLI) is offering a unique and incredible opportunity to the right individual. We are seeking a House Manager for our volunteer headquarters in Huaycan, Peru, a poor community on the outskirts of Lima, Peru. The ideal candidate should:

• Be able to work in a team or independently
• Be able to adapt to new situations and living environments
• Enjoy working with people from different cultures and backgrounds
• Be an excellent problem solver, especially with cross-cultural situations
• Be organized and responsible
• Be fluent in English and have advanced Spanish skills
• Previous managerial experience is a plus, but not required
• Previous experience living abroad is a plus, specifically in Lima a MAJOR plus
• Commit at least one year to working in Huaycan with LLI
• Have an interest in working with a grassroots nonprofit and making a difference!

The House Manager position consists of the following responsibilities:

• Develop awareness of volunteer concerns and needs
• Run errands for the volunteer house (Including market shopping)
• Complete volunteer airport pickups
• Prepare volunteer rooms for new arrivals
• Plan and carry out volunteer activities and excursions.
• Assist the Director with new volunteer orientation
• Assist the Director with program/volunteer coordination
• Manage household expense receipts
• Encourage and promote constant communication between volunteers, staff members, and Board Members
• Assist the Directors with weekly volunteer meetings

• Manage post-volunteer surveys

• Other duties as assigned

Light and Leadership also will offer the House Manager the following benefits:

• Free room and board in the volunteer headquarters in Huaycan, Peru
• Round Trip Airfare from the US, Canada or Europe to Lima, Peru
• Transportation costs for Light and Leadership activities
• 2 weeks vacation; two days off a week.

Interested? Please send cover letter and resume to Lara DeVries, Executive Director of the Light and Leadership Initiative, at Lara@lightandleadership.org.

Please, only serious applicants need apply. Must be available for one year AND speak Spanish. This is not a paid position.

Salta, Salta! LLI's First Ever Jump Rope Contest

Light and Leadership held its first jump rope contest this past Saturday, October 30th. Twenty-one kids came out to participate in four different categories: Speed (how many jumps in one minute), Accuracy (how many jumps before making a mistake), performance (one minute to impress the judges!), and a group jump. Kids came from all over-- Zones Z, D, and I all participated!

Check out the photos below to see the day's activities and the four winners!

Yoshiro, jumping towards victory.

Anabella-- focused. With giggles.

Nicol, mid-action.

Yordy, giving his best "performance" in front of the judges and crowd.

Group jump!

Rafael... happily showing off his Certificate of Participation. Good job, amigo.

The winners! Yoshiro (speed), Axel (group jump), Jorge (performance) and Nayely (accuracy). Excellent job, kids! We are so proud :)

As always, special thanks to our volunteers: Franzi Weil, Adam Hettler, Melissa Fulton, Christine Garcia, Tara Cato, and Sarah Renkert for making this a great success!

Published by Lara DeVries, Light and Leadership Initiative. Visit www.lightandleadership.org.

Volunteer and Intern with Light and Leadership in 2011!

In 2011, Light and Leadership has plenty of long term volunteer and internship opportunities! Teach English and more in Peru!

Please see our availabilities and needs below:
Volunteer Opportunities:

• March 1st - June 12: One English teacher (also can help out with chess, art, dance and more)
• March 1st-July 24: Long term opportunities in Art, Chess, Physical Education, Dance, English, and French
• August 1st- December 18: Long term opportunities in Art, Chess, Physical Education, Computation/Computers, Dance, English, and French

Internship Opportunities:

• Program Development Internship, June 15-December 18
• English Education Internship, August 1st-December 18
• French Education Internship, August 1st-December 18

Become a part of our team and bring change to Huaycan!

Interested?? Please see http://www.lightandleadership.org/ for more information and fill out our Volunteer Application.

Wild Animals = Wildly Successful Field Trip!

On Saturday, October 23rd, our Zone D participants (ages 10-13 from English, Chess, and French classes) went wild over the Huachipa Zoo exhibits. Light and Leadership took 17 eager kids on a tour of the zoo. Our happy kids saw lions, tigers and... anacondas! We ended the day with a excellent workshop on Biodiversity, where kids learned the importance of taking care of the environment. Thanks Huachipa Zoo!

Check out the photos below... we might be heading back soon as well with another group of kids, so stay tuned!

The whole group!

Checking out the Giraffe and Ostrich Exhibit. Andy and Axel approve.

Whoa Anaconda! While the kids looked on in amazement, most of the volunteers were remembering the awesomely bad 90's movie "Anaconda" with Jennifer Lopez and Ice-Cube. Sweet.

Biodiversity workshop. Fabulous!

Fiorella, Yahaira, and Nicol pumped and ready to water the plants in the Huachipa garden after the workshop.

Once again, special thanks to our volunteers Franzi Weil (trip coordinator), Christine Garcia (English and Chess teacher), Adam Hettler (dedicated commuter volunteer (and friend Tania!)) and Sarah Renkert (all around fantastic House Manager) for this wildly successful trip.

Published by Lara DeVries, photos from LLI and Sarah Renkert.. Volunteer with Light and Leadership (www.lightandleadership.org)!

Incan Ruins Never Get Old.

...Even If They Are Ancient.

This past Saturday, LLI students from Zone Z, I, and S, took a field trip to check out the Puruchuco Incan ruins in Ate. Complete with lunch, a tour of the museum and Incan ruins, and an art workshop, the kids spent the day learning and having fun.

The group outside of the Puruchuco museum, showing off their art projects.

In the museum.

After the tour of the ruins, the art workshop begins... who knew that plastic bottles, toilet paper rolls, and buttons could go oh so far?

Susan, drawing the face.

On the ride home... so happy!

Special thanks to the Puruchuco staff for having us, as well as Franzi Weil, Sarah Renkert and Tara Cato for being excellent Light and Leadership volunteers. :)

www.lightandleadership.org

Chess Tournament!!!

Yesterday, on October 10th, Light and Leadership held its first chess tournament!! Kids participated from both our Zone Z and our Zone D programs. Thanks to all the kids who participated and congrats to Jhordy, our Chess Champion! Look for another one in December :)

It was soo quiet! Students were extremely focused and concentrated. Our LLI competitors have been learning and practicing since August 2010.

The final two: Jhordy (left) and Herecka (right). Jhordy came out victorious! Both top players received chess boards to play at home!

Each participant received a certificate of participation. Students from Zone Z are pictured above.

Special thanks to Christine Garcia (LLI's in-house chess expert/teacher) and Franzi Weil for coordinating the event. Also thanks to Christel Herben for always helping out with Chess :) Great job!

New House. New Classrooms. Life @ LLI is Good!!!

Within the past month, LLI has made an exciting change. We've moved volunteer houses and classrooms (in zone D). Check out the pictures below to get a taste of the NEW LLI spaces!!!

Our art and dance students with volunteers!

Chess in Zone D. The first tournament is October 10th. Good luck kids!

Art class!

Our volunteer team plus Dina (LLI cook) and Gonzalo (LLI daytime security) on October 2nd, however we were missing Sarah Renkert, LLI House Manager :(

Pictures of the LLI House...!

View from outside the house! Beautiful yellow :)

Patio-- great for relaxing.

New dining room arrangement. So great!

Big and bright kitchen!

One of three volunteer rooms!

Chess Class in Zone Z!

This month, LLI started a chess class in both Zone Z and Zone D! Special thanks to teacher Christine Garcia and co-teachers Marta Roman and Christel Herben.

Want Shoes? Save Money and Support LLI through GoodShop!

$5 any purchase of $40 or more plus free shipping!

8.5% of your purchase will be donated to Light and Leadership! Just click here and name Light and Leadership as your designated charity, and then start shopping and saving!

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Follow Light and Leadership On Twitter!!!

Light and Leadership has joined Twitter! Follow us to stay updated on daily happenings... hear several times a week about how YOUR support of LLI is impacting Huaycan!

Also, check out our Twitter badges on this Blog (to the right) and on our homepage (www.lightandleadership.org) for Real Time Updates!

Nayely Jumps Rope

Nayely, a Light and Leadership student in Zone Z, jumps rope and counts in English. Keep an eye out in the next few months for am inter-zonal "saltasoga" competition. It's in the works....

Catalyst Ranch, Zocalo's, and Light and Leadership!!!

Come out AUGUST 20th to Celebrate Huaycan and LLI at Catalyst Ranch!

COME ONE, COME ALL!! Join the Light and Leadership Initiative in celebrating Huaycan and the good work of LLI's programs! Come if you are interested in learning more about volunteering or supporting Light and Leadership's work in Lima, Peru!

$30 USD per person gets you drinks (soft drinks, wine, beer, and margaritas!), food (delicious mexican food by Zocalo's Restaurant), and excellent company!

RAFFLE PRIZES:

Night at the W Hotel

Sunrise Nursery Certificate

Chicago FIRE tickets

..and more! Free raffle ticket for EVERY friend you bring.

Please RSVP as soon as possible to info@lightandleadership.org

Address: 656 W. Randolph St, Chicago, IL

We'll see you on Friday, August 20th!

Special thanks to Catalyst Ranch and Zocalo's restaurant for CO-SPONSORING this event for Huaycan!

Volunteer Excursion!

On Wednesday, Sarah Renkert (LLI's House Manager), took Light and Leadership's volunteers on an excursion to La Punta. Check out the pictures below! For more information on volunteering with LLI, visit www.lightandleadership.org.

A House Favorite: Gonzalo

Gonzalo is our day security guard, but he is so much more than that.
Gonzalo is a funny and caring man that is always engaging in conversation,
even to our volunteers that do not speak Spanish. Despite the language
barrier, he is always willing to communicate. Securing the house is his
job but, as our neighborhood is generally very safe, Gonzalo keeps himself
busy with other activities. Just to name a few, he has color-coordinated
the keys to the house, helped with art projects, danced at the dance
classes, judged the students’ dance competitions, babysat during the
women’s program, helped keep Sarah’s birthday cake a surprise and has even
started growing a mini-garden at the volunteer house. All of us are very
thankful for all the work he does; the volunteer house would not be the
same without him.

--Kristen Painter, LLI Volunteer