News from the Project Coordinator: Skate Ramp Construction Day

My name is Emily Skinner and I am the project coordinator for Otra Cosa Network. I have been working with the team for over three months and it has been an exciting ride.  I would like to share my experience from Skate Ramp Construction day.  From the donation from a past volunteer for the skate ramp, we designed and built a small open air room.  We built a roof, a long table, and two benches.  This room is now used for work room to do workshops, art projects, and future projects. After weeks of research, budgeting, and price hunting we were ready to start.

I arrived at 8:30am with my first load of materials. There were already 9 kids waiting for me at the door.  They all helped me unload the truck.  I had 4 five year olds carrying a log that I couldn't even pick up myself!  Rosita (one of the younger and most fiery ones) carrying two 5 gallon jugs of water that for sure weighted more than she did.  I had to go back home to get more stuff and when I returned with the second load they help just the same.  They were thankful and understood the value of what was happening there.  I had the girls sanding the tables and chairs and painting.  Then the other volunteers started to arrive so we go started on the roof structure construction.  We sawed, nailed, hammered and worked! It took us six hours, but we got it all done. 

The girls were impressed with watching me work all day in the construction and Milly told me, "wow Emily your worked soo hard today! Thank you!"  I continue going to the skate ramp every Saturday and Sunday and the kids are so full of life and fun.  I’m sure I learn more from them then they do from me.

In the new room, we have made necklaces and crowns, written stories, and painted.  The kids are advancing at their skateboarding skills and more than half can drop in from the half pipe. The skate ramp is a great place for the kids to have a safe place to socialize and share.  The kids respect the ramp and it is exciting to see the possibilities that are there for them.   

By Emily Skinner from the USA (OCN Project Coordinator, July 2011 to present)

Michalina's Volunteer Experience: ¡Viva el Perú!

My name is Michalina and I was working for Otra Cosa Network during the summer of 2011. I was working as an office assistant and I managed to update and translate the majority of the ‘Volunteer’s Bible’.

I have to say I had been planning my long awaited experience in Latin America for a few months and the fact that I always received a quick reply from Najin (Operations’ Manager) to every single email I had sent gave me a positive impression about the organization. My intuition wasn’t wrong! I had made the right decision. When I came I was given the induction and a tour around the small village and introduced to the new volunteers. Then the time just flew by. Working in the office was a good experience and I knew I was doing something helpful but it was when we went for the project tour (that takes place every month) that I really understood what difference each and every volunteer makes. There are so many things that people could do to make this world a better place. Even if OCN only gives one child a reason to smile everyday it is totally worth it!

However, the work in the office was just a small part of the whole experience! I am studying Latin American culture and history so it was wonderful to be able to be part of it. From the moment I got on the plane I knew it was going to be a great adventure! Throughout my stay I was constantly surprised in at the least expected moments. I could write quite a long essay about it all but I would like to concentrate on the aspect that made this trip different from others.

I have done quite a lot of travelling in the past and I have lived in a few countries on different continents. What I have learnt through those years is that PEOPLE MAKE PLACES and one of the things that struck me most in Peru is the generosity of the people.  They share with you whatever they have, no matter how little they have. They are very open and love when you speak Spanish but also eager to practice their English.

I was shocked when the girl whom I met on the plane offered to give me a tour around Lima the following day even though she had not seen her family for 2 years! What is more, after a long day of sightseeing she invited me to her house to meet her family and try some Peruvian food, as her mum had already cooked the dinner for us. The family was lovely and so welcoming, they really touched my heart. There is a big contradiction though, because the majority of the people I met were extremely generous, but on the other hand you quickly realise that you also have to be very careful. It is not an exaggeration that South America is one of the most dangerous places of earth. Nothing ever happened to me but keep your eyes open!

Other wonderful people who I met once I settled in Huanchaco were Nilda and Cristhian. We did language and culture exchange, and again the experience was very positive. They were nice, helpful and went out of their way to make me feel happy! They helped me to organise private salsa classes (I enjoyed every single minute of it, every single step I mean! J), they taught me to cook some traditional meals and showed me some interesting places. I was introduced to their whole family and we all used to spend lots of time together. Every time I went round to their house it was filled with the aromatic Peruvian coffee – just because they knew how much I loved it!

Meeting Peruvian people was without a doubt a fantastic experience but I have to say that the other volunteers played an important part of the whole experience too. I met a lot of interesting people from many different countries and I know that with a few of them we will be friends forever. We organised a trip to Cusco and climbed Machu Picchu and Huayna Picchu with other volunteers and it really was a special moment (and an exhausting work out!) to share with them!  Huanchaco is a small place and you quickly get to meet and know everyone and I was looking forward to doing something fun with them every evening.

Above all, I think my stay wouldn’t have been the same if I hadn’t stayed with a local family. They were great people. We really did get on like the house on fire and we hit it off from the very beginning. It was a wonderful experience to live with them and share everyday life.  Just spending time around them was nice, we used to cook, shop at the local market and talk forever about anything. They told me so many interesting things and I really felt as if I had known them for ages. Being typically Peruvian they often offered for me to taste some traditional dishes and drinks. Yummy! Lifestyle in Latin American is so different from fast-paced Europe, and people there are so much more cheerful! It was so nice to dance salsa in the kitchen as a little distraction from cooking J I have to say we got really close with the family and it was hard to leave. They prepared a surprised goodbye dinner for me and we cried when we said goodbye. I know that it wasn’t the last time I saw them. I am sure I will go back and I do hope that they come to visit me one day too!

Wouldn’t you like to help to make this world a better place, get to know some wonderful people and be a part of Peruvian culture? Opportunity seldom knocks twice, I'm SO glad I didn’t miss out on mine!

By Michalina Madra from Poland (OCN Office, July - September 2011)

Karno's Experience: My Happy Volunteer Experience in Sícchezpampa

This is the storytelling homework that was done by the nine-year old girl of my host family. Aha! We had known each other just for a few days and this was her first impression of me!

Every morning I was woken up by these turkeys. They cackled like machine guns.   What a strange sound!

After having breakfast which was usually a large plate of rice with banana and beans (my favourite) or sometimes tuna or beef, we had sufficient energy to do farm work.

Coffee-bean-harvesting is the most important farm work in July to August.  By looking at and smelling this red, cherry-like fruit, it is hard to believe that they are coffee beans.

Now these dried coffee beans turn black. However they still do not have the smell of coffee.

I only believed that it was coffee when we roasted the black beans. The smell was very strong and smelt so good! Notice that the stove was built by one volunteer organization. With this design, the mother could stand to cook whereas previously she squatted to cook. The design also eliminated the smoke. Moreover, this stove used less wood. What a GREAT and INNOVATIVE design!

Harvesting coffee beans was the main work. Other duties at Sícchezpampa included picking corn for the poultry and us (roast corn and tamale are my favourite), going to the local school to cook lunch for children and finally picking up cow and donkey dung for compost.

I had 2 objectives in coming to Sícchezpampa:

1.         To do physical labour each day.

2.         To develop my Spanish.

This was my fourth time doing volunteer work in a Spanish speaking country and it was the happiest one because all my objectives were fulfilled!

I will never forget the happy experience in Sícchezpampa. The people there are so friendly and nice. The air is so fresh and clean. The life in general is so quiet, calm and peaceful. Thank you to my host family, Sícchezpampa and last but not least Otra Cosa Network!  You all gave me lots of unforgettable moments. ¡MUCHAS GRACIAS!

By Karno Yan from Hong Kong (Sícchezpampa Coffee and Sugar Cane Farm, July - August 2011)

Louise's Experience: How volunteering for OCN lead me to drill a screw into a piece of wood for the very first time in my life

Let's face it, I am definitely not the female equivalent of Bob the Builder. Never in my life have I driven a nail into a wall or changed a light bulb, and even building an IKEA shelf remained a mystery to me.

So, I arrived in Huanchaco, full of good intentions, and started working for Un Lugar Skate Ramp in El Cerrito de la Virgen, a poor, desert area where most of its inhabitants moved after the giant and devastating El Niño disaster of 1998. When Najin, OCN's manager, told me about this project a couple of months ago, I had found the idea amazing. What could be better than a skate ramp in this helpless area to give some dream and ambition to the children, and take them out of the streets for a couple of hours a day? I signed up immediately.

On my first day at the ramp, I did not really know what to expect. We were walking up the sandy pathway from Huanchaco's church to El Cerrito, and Jan, the volunteer in charge of the project at the time, was trying to explain to me the situation and describe the place. Honestly, I could not picture anything in my head. A little after, we were finally at the blue door of the ramp. Jan opened it, and here it was, this wooden dark blue skate ramp, surrounded by sand and rocks. He showed me the dusty office, in which were stocked few hula-hoops, a couple of frisbees, knee protections, helmets, and the three beloved skateboards. We took all the material out, and very soon, the place was full of children. Two of them jumped on the knee protections, grabbed a helmet, and within two minutes of entering the skate park, they were already focused, practicing hard on the ramp. The rest of the children were doing hula-hoop competitions, hanging around the monkey bars, or simply watching these two boys show off with their skateboarding skills. I was amazed to see all these girls and boys from 3 to 16 years old playing all together, sharing the skateboards and the time on the ramp. They were all really curious, asking me where I was from, if I could speak English or Spanish, and especially if I could skateboard. I was completely honest with them. My only skateboarding experience was watching The Lords of Dogtown and Paranoid Park, not enough to deal with a mini half pipe ramp without killing myself. But it did not really matter to them. There were plenty other things to do anyway.

Once the excitement of the first time at El Cerrito passed, I started observing the place, and the ramp. It was pretty obvious that a lot could be done to make it nicer. But, what got my attention was the ramp. The two middle parts were already quite damaged. It did not take long for the external parts to present the same defects. After I had been there a month, Jan left Huanchaco, and I ended up in charge of the project, with a lot to do. I decided to work by progressive steps. First, make the place nicer, by painting the grey and dirty walls, and cleaning up the skate park. I organized a painting/cleaning party at the ramp on a Saturday afternoon, with a “wear your dirtiest clothes” dress-code. A lot of volunteers showed up, and it made the garbage pick up much nicer! A good amount of children from El Cerrito also came as they saw the doors open, and their help was really useful. Once the work was done, we all – children and volunteers alike – shared an ice cream sitting on the benches, admiring our work, tired and dirty. We ended the day watching the sunset from the hill next to the skate ramp. It was a really nice and efficient day. The children enjoyed it and were looking forward to the next painting party!

But this was only the step one! Then, came the important part: changing the first layer of the ramp, as it was clear that the ramp would not be skatable in a couple of months. It appeared to be a bit of a challenge for me. Construction work is not my strong point. Neither is the skateboarding environment. So, I cried for help to Najin. She put me in contact with Oliver and Hannes, the two volunteers who built the ramp in the first place. Right away, these two answered my email, sent me the plans of the ramp, and a detailed explanation of how to change the top layer. It was perfect. I just had to prepare a budget, have the agreement of Najin, Juany and Peter, and find strong and competent men to help me do the job.

But, in the end it was not so easy. The main issue was that we needed to plug-in the drill and it is quite hard to find a power point in El Cerrito de la Virgen, where the majority of inhabitants have no access to electricity. We had to use three different extensions and ask the neighbor if we could use the plug in her kitchen. Luckily, the people of El Cerrito are extremely nice, and helped us with everything, especially providing us with construction material such as saws and drill keys. With these technical details solved, everything went quite fast. The guys were really efficient on drilling, and an hour later the ramp was already looking better.

Leaving El Cerrito that day, I had three satisfactions. Firstly, I knew the children would now be able to skate on a nice, freshly painted ramp, practice hard, and enjoy their time at the skate park. I also knew that I would look less stupid the next time I face an IKEA shelf. But, finally and most importantly, getting involved in this project and fixing this ramp made me realize that you do not need much to give a couple of hours of happiness and amusement to children who have nothing.

Louise Vieussens from France (Un Lugar Skate Ramp, Las Lomas and OCN Office: March - July 2011)

Laura's Experience: Carnaval Huanchaquero or how I learned to apply body glitter

I’ve never been one for the spotlight. I’m a terrible dancer and a panicky public speaker/performer. So, why did I agree to parade around in front of hundreds of people? Maybe it was the resurfacing of my distant go-go dancer dreams; maybe it was my weakness for paper mache and glitter. Perhaps, the enchanting gravity of the Huanchaco waves fashioned a tide in my heart. I still find myself trying to figure out what possessed me to take a flying leap out of my comfort zone and into a set of bedazzled lingerie. I imagine this will remain a great mystery to me, similar to the construction of Machu Picchu.
Carnival, like almost every modern celebration, is rooted deep in the tenants of religion. The tradition of Carnival came to South America from Europe; it was originally a forty day stint of fasting and prayer before Lent. Somewhere in the transmission of Carnival from Europe to Peru the tradition became infused with utter revelry. In Huanchaco, entire month of February and even a week into March, Huanchaqueros celebrate with coronations of queens, street parties, paint parties (everyone throwing paint on each other and climbing oil slicked poles for prizes) and parades. Although each of these events is significant in their own right, the Carnival parade (for adults) is the event of which all other events orbit. Inspired by carnival fever, volunteers and the staff (operations manager Najin and assistant manager Diego) of Otra Cosa Network decided to take part in carnival parade to fully immerse ourselves in local tradition (party!) and to celebrate our once in a lifetime madness!
Our Carnival Fever was finally materialized during a routine volunteer lunch after the coronation party in early February. We were all eating a delicious meal and discussing our projects, airing the triumphs and failures of our volunteerism for the week. During a lull in the conversation, Najin’s eyes lit up with the hope that only infancy stages of Carnival planning can bring and said “who wants to volunteer to be the Carnival leaders”? Luckily, Brianna, the young, vibrant firecracker of the group, bravely offered herself as our commander-in-chief, but who will be her lovely assistant? Why, me, of course! I happened to be the only one in the room who made explicit eye contact with Najin and Diego thus earning me my co-captain label. Many days of idea brain-storming followed our volunteer lunch. (I’m still slightly regretful we didn’t go with our “alpacas from space” theme.) Eventually, after the assessment of talent (i.e. Bob and Jimmy the hard working builders turned best friends) and viability of materials, our giant snake idea was born. Consequently, from the birth of our snake, came the classic theme of man vs. nature set in the Peruvian jungle, and from our sweet, fiery, stage-mom, Diego, did the rest of the theatrical pieces fall into place.
Over the course of building our snake, putting together our costumes and rehearsing our dance moves, we developed a cohesive plot to our brigade. The plot: there is a gigantic snake made of chicken wire; its head is made of paper mache, girlish, swirly designs painted around the eyes, with sequins and a tongue made of red lace. She is called Yacumama. Yacumama is terrorizing the village, invading homes at night and snatching children from their own beds, feeding on fishermen who came to work on the river. Two handsome warriors, from another village (Joachim and Mariano), come to kill the serpent without afore knowledge of it being the village deity. Four warrior princes and princesses, (Brianna, Jimmy, Diego and I) equipped with body oil and fabulous make-up, an Asian monkey (Najin) and the cutest sunflower in the world (Jorien), try to defend Yacumama, their snake goddess, and are ultimately killed by the two scantily clad warriors. In the end the snake seeks revenge striking the warriors dead with venomous silly string.
I must take another moment to mention the others who were involved and their roles. We had the beautiful, immensely popular carnival queens, Jess and Heather, bringing theatrics and regal waving. We had the snake boys: Matt, Jan, Brooks, Bob and Rafael providing crowd and inner group entertainment. The Otra Cosa Network street team: Anna Maria, Natasha and Levi. Last but certainly not least, hair/make-up/duct tape woman, Catherine and her amazing cameraman/cheerleader husband, Eric.
I’ve done many things in my life that loomed on the verge of impossible. I survived high school, graduated college, got married, ate nothing but Taco Bell for an entire week; organizing 20 adults to pull off a proper, “Peruvian-standard” Carnival group in two weeks definitely had its moments of doubts followed by the moment of complete clarity when we actually pulled it off (and even placed in the top 3)! And in the process, as with any rich and unique life experience, I learned something. I learned a whole lot of something actually, about myself, my fellow volunteers and Peruvian culture. Peruvian culture is a gracious culture that afforded me the opportunity to simultaneously face a life-long fear, bond with my new, multi-cultural Otra Cosa Network friends and have one of the most memorable experiences of my life.

By Laura A. Hammet from USA (OCN Office from Jan. - March, 2011)

Brooks Experience: Small people can make big waves

I remember searching online before I came to Peru in December 2010. I was scanning organic farms in Ecuador and teaching projects in Argentina before I came across an organization called Otra Cosa Network. Specifically, I became interested in the Un Lugar Surf School Project, one of the local businesses working with Otra Cosa Network. I grew up surfing in Florida and the early memories of learning how to catch waves are still some of my favorite. This project coupled with the amazing landscape of Peru was enough to convince me to book a plane ticket in January.

After arriving in Huanchaco I was eager to begin my project. The assistant manager, Diego, showed me to the Un Lugar Surf School on the induction “walking tour”. I stepped inside and it was like entering a giant tree house. Surfboards lined the walls and hammocks draped beneath bungalows that were built above the shop. I was introduced to the owner Juan Carlos who took me on a tour of the shop. He began explaining in broken English, “This is where we repair the board, this is the place for the repair of destruction of wetsuit, it is necessary for kids to begin on large board.” He went on to explain how teaching the kids helped to build their confidence and help them to love the ocean.
The kids would show up Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9:00a.m. Two fellow volunteers, Tom and Rafael, worked on the project with me. The day would begin with a few local kids banging on the door yelling “tabla, tabla.” A few moments later all the children from Mundo de Ninos (a local home for ex-street children in Huanchaco and another project working with Otra Cosa Network) would show up. The volunteers would distribute the wetsuits and rash guards. We would then help the kids pick out boards and walk with them down to the ocean. Everyone would do stretches together and a light run down the beach to warm up. Once everyone was ready the fun began. All the kids were smiling just to be out in the ocean.
I noticed a younger kid named Brian who stayed on his body board very close to the shore. Every time I would try to take him in deeper water he would start yelling. Finally after about an hour, I asked if he wanted to get on the long board with me. We paddled out and after we caught a wave he was yelling again. However, this time he was screaming to go back out and catch more. Brian made me think about the kids and what they had been through before they came to stay in Mundo de Ninos. I realized how important building their confidence really was. By 11:45 Tom and Rafael were in the water trying to get the kids to paddle in. “Vamos! Vamos!” we yelled as the kids laughed and ignored us to catch a few more waves. I didn’t get upset because I remember doing the same when I was their age. Finally, everyone came in and we headed back to the shop to rinse off the equipment.

When I first arrived in Peru all of my idealistic notions of helping the world were rocked by the realities of what actually needs to be done. After being here a while I realized how important hundreds of volunteers doing just a little bit for the community is. Now I take comfort in knowing the problem is huge but the solutions don’t have to be.

By Brooks Hammet from USA (Un Lugar Surfschool, from Jan. - March, 2011)

Diego's Dream: First steps and great challenges

I really like changes and challenges, but the one I was about to experience was something brand new. Some say you need to feel like you have a command over your challenge before achieving, but for me this was not the case. November 2010, I started training to become the new assistant operations manager at Otra Cosa Network. So, this is me, Diego Velasquez Pastor*, a young Peruvian guy preparing for an amazing job and at the same time a huge duty. Now you may wonder, how did I come across this opportunity?

It was a cold October and I was about to finish my 9th semester at the National University of Trujillo. When searching for jobs on the internet, I found a posting from OCN and it caught my eye. I put everything else aside because the ad was in English, my beloved second language, the one I try to improve every day. “Otra Cosa” is also the name of my favorite record from Mexican singer Julieta Venegas. A sign? I thought so and decided to apply! For one week there was no response which devastated me considering most Peruvian recruiters call right away to arrange a personal interview. Some people even get the job that same day. I didn’t know at the time that Otra Cosa is an alternative NGO and they would have a unique and personal interviewing process.

Two weeks later, Najin Kim, OCN operations manager sent me an e-mail. She asked me to come by the office the following week for a personal interview. It was a Friday and as soon as I stepped foot into the office I felt the great vibe and their professionalism. Najin and I talked about my resume and OCN expectations. She made me write a couple essays. I waited for a whole other week. Finally, she emailed me again to arrange a Skype interview with the directors: Juany and Peter Murphy. I was feeling sick that day, a bad cold. I was afraid I couldn’t speak loud enough for them to hear me. I was glad that they did. They were very polite and nice while asking me very specific issues. Once again I waited another week and to be honest, whether it was my sickness or the long time they took to do this selection, I started to become negative about it all. Maybe they are not going to choose me. Maybe they are looking for someone older. Maybe I didn’t fit their mold. Maybe…

On another fine Friday, Najin called me to tell me they wanted me to join the ONC team. I remember taking the phone call next to my window, it was a sunny day. I knew it was another sign that I was on the right track. Thank God, I stuck through it all. I´m amazed by the chance I have every day to work on something I really enjoy. However, it is not an easy job. It takes a lot of time planning things, thinking of them, dreaming of them and smiling when they work out as expected and needed. At times there is a lot of information to process and plenty of things to get done; you always have to be ready to change plans at the last minute. We work with and for volunteers, local social projects and international partners; we learn new ways to improve procedures, but our main rule is flexibility, moving in like the waves on the sea. It’s funny and so true when Najin called it “organized” chaos. From Juany and Peter Murphy to our local collaborators, we all work with passion. And we don’t mind getting tons of sand in our sandals as long as we can make a difference in people’s life. We do our best to give everyone hope and the best reward for us is seeing that everyone understands this and appreciates it.

I`m writing this article from the OCN office and it`s so inspiring to see the garden glowing under the sun as usual. I’m sure I’m going to stay here for a long time. Obviously lots of things have changed since I first got the job. We’re growing in a very fast way, like a caterpillar shedding its cocoon. Human beings and organizations need to shed their skins to find better ones. The first trimester of 2011 is almost over and a new shiny day has come for Otra Cosa Network, we hope to not only keep getting better, but also fill the fresh air with social awareness of the crucial work we love to do.

By Diego Velasquez from Peru (OCN, from Nov. 2010 - June 2011)