Trent M.

Social Work & Services Volunteer

Cuzco, Peru

When I stepped off the plane in Lima, Peru, I learned something about myself that I had never before realized: I am a lot more naïve about the world than I thought. I have never before thought that I was an Idaho hick, but I felt like one there. Because my flight for Cuzco did not leave until the next day, I spent a day and a night in Lima, and I have never before felt so small, dumb and scared. I wandered around this city of 9 million people feeling lost and overwhelmed. I was very grateful to leave for Cuzco the next day; however, when I arrived there, I felt equally confused and equally shocked culturally—in fact, the first few days in Cuzco are still just a frightened blur in my mind. Those first few days, all I wanted to do was come back home to security and peace. It wasn’t homesickness—I had lived away from home for a long time and never had that problem. It was simply the overpowering feeling of being in a new world and not knowing the rules of that world. I felt it in Lima and I felt it during my first few days in Cuzco. Thankfully, I learned the rules of this new world. More importantly, however, I overcame some of my naivety and “hickishness” and discovered what it means to be an international citizen, what it means to be someone who is cognizant of other cultures.

One of the most unexpected things that I learned while I was in Cuzco is how tourists are perceived throughout the world, especially American tourists. They are seen, by some, as a self-interested group that cares little about what is going on around them. Many Peruvians that I talked to were shocked that I was there to volunteer and learn more about their culture and said they did not know of many tourists who did this. One night, in fact, I had the opportunity to talk to a police officer about this. He told me that Peruvians try their hardest to help each other, but that the rest of the world did not seem to care about their country. He said that tourists only care about themselves and do not look far enough past their own fun to see the real Peru. Although I could see a basis for this attitude toward tourists, I was somewhat taken aback when I first arrived and learned this. However, realizing that this attitude exists taught me the importance of being globally conscious as an American citizen and the importance of behaving well as a guest in another’s country. Tourists need to be very careful about how they act when they are traveling and need to know that how they act can determine how a person, group, city or country might perceive another country and its citizens. Lest my thoughts be misunderstand, I do want to point out that I saw plenty of tourists doing wonderful things for each other and for the citizens of Peru—there are many goodhearted, kind, and generous people in the world. However, I truly saw how important it is to act like a cultured guest when you are traveling abroad.

Another step to my becoming more aware came when I realized how much Peruvians truly care about and serve one another. I never knew how giving and caring they are as a people. Although you can see people helping one another wherever you might go, I was especially impressed by what I saw during my visit. Many of the Peruvians I saw did not have a lot. However, they were perfectly willing to take of the little they had and share it with someone who had less. An example comes from the orphanage where I volunteered. The Peruvians that worked there were paid for what they did. However, many times I saw them go beyond the call of dutiful employment to help the young boys in the orphanage feel happy and comfortable. While I was there, they had a party to celebrate the 45th birthday of the home. The employees sacrificed much and worked far more than their normal work hours to make sure that the orphanage and its inhabitants shined. Because of their concern and extra work, the boys had a wonderful celebration that I am sure they will remember for a long time. I was just so impressed with their sacrifice because it helped demonstrate to me how much the people in this country care for one another. I saw Peruvians helping one another everywhere I went—from a mother tending the skinned knee of a child not her own to a young Peruvian boy giving change to a homeless person. It was touching to see them serving one another, and it taught me the importance of giving what I have to others even if it is not a lot.

Although Peruvians do strive to assist one another, I still saw and learned the importance of doing service and volunteer work in developing countries. The orphanage where I volunteered at was funded by the government. It did not have a lot of money; however, the boys were well fed and seemed to have their basic needs met. There were also plenty of foreign volunteers willing to come to this home. Nevertheless, I saw many areas where continued help could be given. There was a garden in the back that they boys could be taught to tend; there was a wood working shop left unattended that could be opened and used to teach the boys useful wood-working skills; English-speaking skills could be taught; the list goes on. What is interesting, however, is the fact that not all orphanages are the same. Many of my friends that I met while in Peru volunteered at orphanages that are not government funded. These orphanages are in desperate need of supplies and volunteers. Many of the kids come from situations that are heart-wrenching, and need the love and support that these projects can provide. The projects, in turn, need money and volunteers to keep running. And, although my experience was with an orphanage, I saw that opportunities to give and serve in a variety of areas abound. I was overwhelmed with how much good is being done but, also, by how much good needs to continue to be done.

By the time I left Cuzco, I felt a lot less naïve and a lot less culturally shocked. The lessons I leaned while I was there turned me from an Idaho “hick” to a more globally conscious citizen. These lessons have made me realize that I want to continue to help others and that I want to continue to give service both abroad as well as in my own country. There are so many opportunities to do good in the world, and I want to take those opportunities wherever they may come from. I do not know when I will be able to go back to Peru, but I do know that I can take the lessons I learned there to improve myself and to help others.