Reflection from Alison

With one day to go our tired bodies and minds, sun kissed faces and hearts filled with love for the children that we have met over the past 16 days now start to prepare for our journey homeward.

It is very hard to sit down and reflect upon the events of the past couple of weeks simply because so much has happened that I just don’t know where to start, A whirlwind of adventure, challenge and excitement has swept us away and I find that only now that we are unwinding and enjoying a bit of normality that I am starting to take in exactly what we have achieved! This trip has been amazing! What an experience! For many of us, an opportunity to explore a new culture, to experience new tastes such as alpaca, guinea pig and trout on the side of a mountain, to witness changing landscapes as we traveled hundreds of miles on planes, buses, taxis and tuk-tuks, to learn and witness first hand the amazing story of the Incas and visit Machu Picchu, to listen to wonderful sounds of children laughing and playing, the sea crashing against the beach, rivers gushing down from the mountains, panpipes playing and sweet voices singing to the sounds of guitar. However more than all of that, it has been an emotional journey in which we have met, hugged and played with children who have experienced hardships that we can never even begin to understand. Our journey peaked as we proudly introduced these children to their new homes both in Mama Cocha and in Urubamaba – homes that they now have thanks to the fundraising and donations raised by Copenhagen International School!

The team has come a long way and what a great team they are! All thirteen have had a challenging journey both personally and as a team. Facing difficulties such as flight delays, change in diet, sick tummies, language, extreme heat and difficult working conditions, they have proven the ability to work with and overcome all challenges presented to them. “ Meet the Challenge” has been Team Peru’s motto and it is with pride that we say that all members of this group have managed to do so! Our team members will each take home a different story, a different highlight and a different smile to treasure forever. However one thing that is definite is that they have all found a place in their hearts for the children that we met both in Mama Cocha and the Rainbow House. Each one of them became a big sister or brother and a friend. The team were not put off by the language differences or the children’s individual disabilities but instead opened their hearts to these children. This I am sure you will see in the photographs – extremely touching moments to witness.

Our decision to visit the two projects turned out to be one of our best ones! Despite the fact that we encountered travel difficulties and sickness, the team have a far better understanding of what we as a team are doing to help Kiya and the importance of our continued support. Witnessing first hand the early stages of development of Mama Cocha and the school in Los Organos was a truly unique opportunity which demonstrated the true plight of Kiya and we all have no doubt that with hard work, commitment and perseverance to provide financial support, Mama Cocha will develop in to the children’s paradise that we experienced at the Rainbow Centre. This has only been achieved through the hard work and dedication of all supporters of Kiya such as CIS to fundraise money to make this possible.

Having been involved in this project now for almost 4 years this has been an anxiously awaited trip that I have made with a truly exceptional team. It was a hard decision for me to come out here and leave my 16 month son home with his dad (who is incidentally pretty amazing to let me do this! Chris I owe you one! ) However it has helped me to truly understand the meaning behind Kiya and the different projects. Kiya are doing a truly amazing job out here in Peru and it is thanks to Suzy and her founding of Kiya Survivors that these children are being given the opportunity to learn and live in a safe environment. I hope that Matt and Adam, our additional team mates (the Camera men) will be able to also provide television viewers the opportunity to understand the importance to provide sustainable support to Kiya through their documentary.

I believe the team are now ready to come home,….thoughts are drifting towards rye bread and liverpøstej ( I will simply never understand this one), family and homework! Myself ….I am longing for the moment when I can pick up my little son and give him the biggest hug ever!

Well done Team Peru!

Alison