The following post features student writing.

Today was the second day working in the village and we split into three groups that each had a different job to complete. One group: Lucas, Alex, Molly, Giacomo, and Filip, all herded sheep into the pristine Peruvian mountains where they learned how to direct the sheep by using a traditional slingshot. On their way up the mountain, the group sparked up a conversation with three locals from the village and they were teaching the members of the group how to weave sheep wool. Once they reached the top of the mountain, the group snacked on the fresh corn grown in the village of Sihua.

The second group: Camille, Katya, Rose, Ellie, Renee, and Shannan cleaned up the decrepit graveyard which was covered in mounds of trash. After completely cleaning the graveyard, the group took all the trash from the graveyard up to the landfill on the top of the mountain. Halfway through the morning work period, the group took a snack break in which they ate Peruvian bananas, crackers, and candies. The group felt satisfied knowing that the graveyard was clean and they felt that the members of the village can now enjoy and mourn their family members in a clean, beautiful place.

The third group: Harper, Dhiya, Carolina, Talia, and Stella herded cows up the mountains where the cows eat until 5 PM. The group members were accompanied by three women from the village, a puppy, and a pig. Once the group got to the top of the mountain, through talking to the locals, they were able to learn about the lifestyles of the people in the community. The first thing they taught the group how to to weave belts, scarves and other articles of clothing. The second thing they taught them how to do was cut a special type of plant for the guinea pigs and the cows to eat. The third and final thing the group learned was how to cook potatoes in an oven made out of rocks and dirt. After 30 minutes, the potatoes were ready to be eaten and were worth the wait.

Even after being more adjusted to the altitude, on our hike back, the group was still straggling behind the locals that were going at a very quick pace (practically running). This made the group members realize the hard work that the people do everyday. Even though the hike was strenuous, it was worth the view and the connections made with the locals.

– Harper