Long weekend

I'm really enjoying my work at the nursing homes--the first couple of days, I was a bit daunted by how many new names to remember, but I'm quickly learning not only the names of the residents, but also their behavior and abilities. In San Borja, there are about a dozen male Vida Digna participants on the top floor of one nursing home, and a short walk away, there are six female participants in another nursing home, although they are spread out among the three floors of the building.

Other than drawing and coloring, the men also have Tai Chi classes, which Elizabeth and I sat in on last week. To add some more variety to the activities, I'm making tangrams for the men, as quite a few of them can still take on more mentally challenging tasks. I also will be using spare cardboard and paper to make colorful shapes that the women can use to make collages.

Besides my volunteer work, I'm also enjoying seeing Lima. The first week, I went to the Plaza de Armas and Barrio Chino (Chinatown), as they're close to Vida Digna's office, but unfortunately I didn't have my camera on me--I hope to go back soon and really savor the area. During this long weekend (Tuesday is the Battle of Angamos), I got to see quite a few sights! On Sunday, we went to the Parque de la Amistad (Friendship Park), which is really cute and also has some good restaurants inside. I stupidly forgot my camera's memory card though, so I just have one decent cellphone photo of the arch, a replica of a gift from Spain.

Later that evening, I realized that over the long weekend, the Ministry of Culture was making all of its museums free. Kicked myself for not going out and exploring more on Saturday and Sunday, especially since the sun was finally out! Luckily, I was still able to make the most of the opportunity by going to Huaca Pucllana on Monday (practically the only place on the Ministry's list of attractions open on Monday), an archaeological site right in Miraflores. When we got off the bus and started looking for the place, I have to admit that I felt rather skeptical--we were in the middle of a rather residential looking area. But sure enough, we soon found the beige adobe structure and made our way in. It wasn't all that pretty, but the building technique is really admirable. Our tour guide noted that they had restored some areas of the structure. After an earthquake, the restored parts were destroyed, but the originals were still standing!

On Tuesday, I went to the Museo de Arte Italiano (another free site) and the Museo de Arte de Lima (not free, but just s/4 for students--they offered me the discount without asking for an ID!--and s/1 on Sundays!). They weren't all that big, but were in gorgeous buildings and had some nice pieces. Both are in the Parque de la Exposicion, a really nice area to walk around, and I'd love to go back to spend some more time.

First two weeks down!

Hard to believe that it's been two weeks since arriving in Lima! I've adjusted so easily that it feels like I've been here forever, but looking at the calendar, I've got just over a month left of this first trip, and I'm sure it'll go by quickly.

The San Borja district is really nice, with lots of parks and even a nice green median with a jogging path on San Borja Norte, the street I'm living on. Within walking distance, there is a big shopping mall with American joints (KFC, Chili's, Burger King), and next to it, a Wong supermarket (think Wegman's crossed with Walmart). However, I've been doing most of my grocery shopping in the little markets that are just a couple blocks from where I'm living.

In terms of my volunteer work, it's a bit different from what I expected, but extremely interesting. Janet and Willy, her husband, got in touch with Peru's Ministerio de la Mujer y Poblaciones Vulnerables (roughly translated to Ministry for Women and Vulnerable Populations). Just about a year ago, they started a new program called Vida Digna that focuses on the homeless elderly. From discussions, reading*, and getting to know Janet's big family, I can see how important family is for Peruvians--children serve as a major source of support in one's old age. And so those who don't have family to care for them are on their own. While nursing homes may have already been taking care of those on the streets, this initiative is a more concerted approach that also provides individuals with advocates independent from the homes. Those who agree to enter Vida Digna are placed into one of several nursing homes around the city (I believe right now there are around 6). Thus, they are cared for alongside those who are paying for the service, but receive additional attention from Vida Digna staff members. I am working most closely with a psychologist, Elizabeth, in two nursing homes a short walk away here in San Borja.

So far, I've only had three full days' worth of work, due to some time needed to pin down schedules and an unfortunate bout of illness. What I have seen has been really eye-opening, especially how little these facilities get by with. The vast majority of residents share a room with at least two roommates; I saw one room with six beds on the first day, and none of them have privacy curtains. Two of the three homes I've seen don't have elevators, despite being multi-story buildings. In one, I saw a male staff member carrying residents up and down the stairs, but with just one staff member able to lift residents, I'm afraid to think of what would happen in case of an emergency requiring evacuation.

Still, I have seen the bonds between some of the staff members and residents, and I believe that the nursing homes are truly doing the best they can. The activities that Elizabeth and I do with Vida Digna participants are quite creative as well; she has a deck of flashcards with common objects depicted on them, and during one session, we passed them out to the group and each resident had a minute to talk about what was on their card as a form of mental exercise. We also draw and color with the residents. I've also been thinking of some crafts that would work well for them, given how many have difficulties even holding a pencil.

My Spanish certainly has a ways to go, but as I become more fluent and I get to know the residents better, I hope to hear more about their stories.

*Before leaving, I did some online research and came across this field study. What I'm doing now nicely follows up on her "future directions" section, and I wish there were a way for me to get in touch with her!

I haven't been taking too many pictures (actually have yet to even use my DSLR, given how residential of an area San Borja is), but I will get back into shutterbug-mode soon! But for now, a shot from a one-on-one coloring session: