Previous Recipients - Dana Arakawa (cont.)

On our last day at Virgin Natividad, another InterExchange volunteer, Jana, and I organized a Christmas party for the girls with music, cake, ice cream, and individualized gifts. We mixed up the presents and had each girl say something nice about the girl whose present they were holding before giving it to her. Watching the teary exchanges, I realized what my purpose there really was. Volunteers usually only stay with the girls for a month, and that is hardly enough time to create the trust needed for them to open up about their pasts and their struggles. In fact, the girls didn’t need me to rehash or make sense of their past, because they are remarkably resilient and live in the present. What they needed from me, and what they actually give so generously, are love and friendship. Listening to their thoughtful words of appreciation for each other as they exchanged gifts, I was struck by the depths of their affection for one another. And as they presented Jana and I with large, handmade cards to thank us for the month that we spent with them, I was struck by their affection and appreciation for us.

All the times that I thought my presence there was ineffective, just by being there and being a friend, it mattered to them. Now I realize how much the presence of past volunteers endures at Virgin Natividad. There are physical traces—all of the girls were clothed in donations from past volunteers. There are memories—I remember one spunky thirteen-year-old, Sonya, who showed me her photo album with pride, pointing out past volunteers and telling me about each person with care. There are continuing friendships—when a past volunteer would call the house, all the girls would shriek with excitement and run to take turns talking to her.

When I was at Virgin Natividad, I used to marvel at how giving and generous these other volunteers were, to donate their clothes, their resources, and their continued time over the phone. But when I left Peru, I left a huge bag of clothes and other items that I had brought with me from the U.S. at Virgin Natividad. When I got back home to Hawaii, I immediately uploaded the hundred photos or so that I had taken with the girls, and had them printed and shipped to Peru. I’m going to get a phone card to call them. Because now I realize why I, like other past volunteers, will make such an effort to stay in touch with the girls and give them photos, clothes, and whatever else I can.