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

Youth Leadership Committee

My experience with the students of the Leadership program that LLI sponsors was a real joy. I had the opportunity to work with the participants in the development of a literacy program for adults who were unable to read and write. The kids were so energetic and eager to make a difference. What an honor it was to work with the next generation of leaders who will undoubted make the community of Huaycan a better place to live and learn.

-- Ash Kirk, LLI Volunteer

Meet Nicol...

When you see Nicol playing on the playground and running around with the other kids you wouldn’t notice any difference. She loves playing volleyball and with dolls and HATES playing soccer. However, after about two minutes of watching her in a classroom you will see that she is someone very special. Nicol showed her intelligence very soon after I started teaching her. After only one lesson she would memorize and remember every word we learned. To say she is intelligent would be an understatement. On the last three tests I gave she received 100%. She knows the answer to every single question I ask in class. If my students do not know an answer they look to Nicol to help them. Just today she surprised me by forming a perfect sentence with a word I had never taught her. It has been incredible teaching her for the past 10 months and seeing all that she has learned and retained. She is always hungry to learn more. She completes each worksheet given to her in record time and then runs up to me asking for more questions. It is amazing for me to think of what she can achieve in just one or two years more in the Light and Leadership Program.

--Amy Ravenhorst, LLI Volunteer

Check out the video below of Nicol, reading her (extra) homework:

Mujeres con Iniciativa... Field Trip!!!

On Saturday, July 3rd, Light and Leadership's women's program (Mujeres con Iniciativa) took a well deserved field trip. Fifteen women, accompanied by LLI Volunteers (thanks Meri and Luz for all the hard work), went to Flora Tristan, a women's rights organization and then enjoyed lunch and free time in downtown Lima. Check out the pictures below!