Pastor Angie's In-Spire-ations December 2018
We had a lovely evening with friends and family who came to hear more about Quechua Benefit. There was one question that we were asked more than once. It’s a common question. “If they go away from their villages to learn and then experience the city, doesn’t that jeopardize their villages when they don’t go back?” Many people assume that once the children are educated and have had “wordly” experiences, they would not want to return to their own people. Last week, I received three interviews from the staff at Quechua Benefit Peru. I would like to share with you the impact that Quechua Benefit is having on the children and two adults we met while on the trip.
The mayor of Ichupampa is in her late 20s. When Ichupampa experienced an earthquake that destroyed 80% of the village 3 years ago, she went to work gathering government support for rebuilding. They will now have a new sewer system and potable water. That’s better than before. She is a product of programs in collaboration with Quechua Benefit as a child.
The city council chair in Yanque is another 20-something young woman who is helping to rebuild the learning center, along with the incoming mayor and the church representative. She, too, is a product of early Quechua Benefit collaborations in her village when she was a child.
Tecla is a 6th grader who I connected with on the trip. She has been at Casa Chapi for 6 years and has learned to read and write in that time. When asked about what she likes most about Casa Chapi, she said, “I like the “casitas.” They’re nice and I like the comfort I have; my own bed and the natural landscapes and flowers that Casa Chapi has. Also I feel that everyone takes care of me and I eat better than in my house.” When asked what she would like to study, she said, “I’d like to study a military career to defend the women.” What would she like to be when she gets older? “I’d like to be a chief of the police, to protect my mother and my Little siblings. I’d like to have my own house.”
Sylvia has been at Casa Chapi for 2 years. She likes “how the teachers teach the children, because they’re interested in what we do. They motivate us to be better in everything either in art contests or in our studies. They’re always supporting us. The “casitas” are nice, clean and tidy, also they teach us to take care of them every day. The food is good because in comparison with my house, I eat better and more.” She would like to “study medicine or civil engineer, because I’d like to cure or help people to build their houses.” She said, “I’d like to be a great professional to cure my mother and to help my little siblings to be professionals too, to help my mother.”
Alex has been at Casa Chapi for 6 years. Alex’s favorite part of Casa Chapi is this: “I like how the teachers teach at Casa Chapi, because of that I learn better, and I like the challenges to learn. Also, I like the comfort of the “casitas” and having my own space. The food is good because in my house it’s not the same. Also I have the best friends and I live, play and share with them, they’re like my family. I like how the “tías” take care of us and of everything. Thanks to uncle Mike I have health, food, clothes and education.” Alex would “like to study mechanic engineer or mining engineer because I like to discover how works the cars, and how is the job at the mine. Also, I’d like to be a painter as a hobby, because that relax me.” “I’d like to be a great professional as a mining engineer to earn money to help my family and buy me a house with green areas as Casa Chapi.”
Notice how not one, but ALL of them are working hard so that in the end they can help their own families and others like them. This is why I so love Quechua Benefit. The work they do will live on for generations right in their own villages. Stay tuned for more ways to stay in touch with these amazing little souls.
Pastor Angie