Media Centre for Volunteer in Peru

Bob Reid

From the first day I arrived at the Casa de Avila (the Spanish school and first night’s hotel stay) and met Dom and the project coordinators I knew I had done the right thing. I was made to feel part of the team and when I realised that I would be taking Spanish lessons in those surroundings....wow! I feel so lucky to have been part of the team that received so much love and friendship from the kids and staff at the school in Socabya, I spent 8 weeks there and it seemed the right amount of time to gain the love and trust of everyone. I feel so lucky to have worked with 5 kids in "3a" and give them the love and attention they were so sadly lacking, just to play with (all) the kids at break made them all feel so special, working with the staff to identify problems and to find solutions was an integral part of the day and agreat way to "bond" with everyone. I have to admit it was with a heavy heart the day I left.

Just a word about the support I recieved from Armando and Dianna, it was 1st class, from taking me to the hospital (toe infection) to taking me to the passport office to sort out my visa, they were indispensible! Finally the family I stayed with, what can I say, they adopted me from day one and furnished me with so much advice (and help with my spanish) that for a while I really thought "this is where I live and Socabya is where I work"! that's what the support "teams" meant to me.

I have this great feeling that I have left a "footprint" in the lives of so many special people, thank you Dom and the rest of the team at GVI for giving me this opportunity. 'Till we meet again.