Experiential Learning Round Square International Service Project
Each year Round Square organises at least six Round Square International Service (RSIS) projects that bring students together from around the world to help other communities. Last summer, Nicole Wilson ’12 and staff member Frances Cook travelled to Peru to join an an RSIS. Here, Nicole recounts their time serving in Peru.
D
uring the course of the 3 week project I had many new and enthralling experiences that I will
always treasure dearly. I did many things I would never have had the chance to do in Bermuda, and also met many new people who, during the trip, became my family away from home. We did everything together from sleeping to brushing our teeth. It was very interesting to see how these strangers, who I had never met before, became some of my closest friends. We supported each other, encouraged each other and looked out for one another. They definitely became friends for life. The main aim of the project was to build two greenhouses for the community of Pampa Corral whose population often suffers from malnutrition due to a lack of variation in their diet.
This village is located 4,000 metres above sea level, and so at this altitude the only crop able to grow in the ground is potatoes. This, and other starches, are the few main food items that the people of Pampa Corral eat daily. Apart from this project we also aided some villagers in construction projects for their homes, taught Art and English to the school children, planted trees on the mountain face and when the greenhouses were done we planted vegetables in them. We spent days in this community without showers, sleeping on the floor of a cold classroom and eating foods we were not accustomed to. These experiences and the grueling days of manual labour at these high altitudes, were all worth it upon
12 Torchbearer Spring 2012
seeing the villagers’ extreme gratitude and joy at us being there. The children were so warm-hearted and joyful, despite their living conditions. Being so warmly welcomed and accepted into this community was all the reward I could possibly ask for. All of this made me appreciate what I have here in Bermuda so much more and any complaint that I might have previously had about my life seemed so silly and small. Having the opportunity to do something to better the lives of the people in Pampa Corral seemed a privilege. During the cultural activities, I also
learned the value of a positive attitude and determination. When climbing the Via Ferrata, a 300 metre vertical mountain face, I was filled with terror, however sure enough, I was able to rise above this and reach the top to absail down. This had to be one of the most psychologically challenging days of them all; the feeling that enveloped me when I reached the bottom and looked back was beyond words. This would not have been possible without the group I was climbing with; my buddy during the climb became one of my closest friends on the trip. Throughout our time in Peru we were also constantly immersed in the culture of Peru. We visited Machu Picchu, went on long hikes up different mountains and were allowed to roam the cities and markets exploring, which were always very lively and diverse. This entire experience completely changed my approach to life. It not only filled me with gratitude and appreciation for the privileges I have, but planted in me a desire to do more in both my local and global community to help those in need. This trip allowed me to discover an inner
strength that was unknown to me, leaving me empowered and with a bigger thirst for adventure and life than I had previously. I certainly recommend anyone considering partaking in a RSIS project to go for it! You will not regret it.
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