This summer, GCN sent an exploratory team to visit the people of Puno, Peru. The following is a "day in the life" account of a GCN trip participant during the exploratory experience. For more information and to learn more about the upcoming trip to Puno in 2012 please contact Laura- laura@globalcitizens.org or 612-436-8274 Learn more about the Aymara people of Puno or check out our 2012 calendar
We met in the Center Square at 8:00 a.m. and talked briefly about how everyone was feeling. Despite two curious little boys who kept tapping my shoulder, the people of Juli are friendly and welcoming without treating us like tourists. Señor Nico met us at the square and invited us to his home for breakfast […]. Señor Nico showed us his office, which is located in a small market building, and allowed us to store our bags there for the day. At his house, his wife, Candelaria, had prepared a wonderful breakfast of eggs, toast, coffee and tea. This was pleasant – the sunny, warm room, the conversation….. no one really wanted to leave.
Next stop: San Bartolme
This is a vista point overlooking Juli and Lake Titicaca. It is also a place of worship. People can come here and make an offering of sorts in order to help them achieve something (health, work, etc.). There are special people (religious leaders?) that will guide a ceremony to help achieve the wishes of the person. The incense used here smells wonderful. Many photos later, we were back in the van for a bumpy ride back down to Juli for lunch. Trout! Inca Kola! Friendly people! Then, off to see Señor Nico’s NGO in action.
We arrived in ChuaChua, where about 30 people were in the middle of a training session, led by IDR (*Institute Development Rural). Each of these people were selected by their community to attend these trainings (26 over one year) and then return to their community to share what they had learned. In the weekend courses, they learn all about best practices in farming, animal care and making the most from their harvest. As our group entered the classroom we were greeted with a standing ovation. This was quite humbling. A few people shared with us what they were working on. As they broke for lunch, the women offered us some little brown balls, which were made from quinoa and they were awesome! 
Next stop – Challapampa
Challapampa is a community of approximately 800 people, 20 minutes from Juli, right near Lake Titicaca. This is a place for a possible site/partnership with GCN. This is our first meeting with the community leaders.
In the first 15 minutes, it’s sounding like maybe this isn’t going to work – there seems to be no thought given to possible projects and little understanding of GCN. Leonor then took a moment to give Ariliano a sheet of information about GCN and its mission. She also gave a description of what GCN has done in other places. The team had an opportunity to ask questions of Arilliano and his companions about the needs of the community. This is when we learned of Arilliano’s plan to open a high tech bakery (fully equipped with an automatic packaging system) to sell his special quinoa cookies. After some discussion, Senior Nico suggested, since it was starting to get cold, that we meet again tomorrow and continue talking and tour the village. This was a great idea – it was freezing.
In the van on our way back to Juli we talked about our observations and thoughts about working with this community. At this point, it was clear to see the importance of exploratory trips and all the necessary communication/planning that must take place. Communication is so important throughout the whole partnership with a community.
The evening was comforting and pleasant. Senior Nico invited us to his home where his wife would prepare us hot cocoa. I’m going to go ahead and say this may be the best hot cocoa I’ve ever had in my life! Maybe it was the comfort of drinking it in someone’s home, maybe it was the cookies we ate with it. Maybe it was the jokes told by young Ocin that made no sense to us gringos – or it may have been the cloves, cinnamon and love (haha) Señorita Candalaria added to the chocolate….
After we finished our dinner and teaching Nico a bit of English, Ocin pulled James and Sam to the other room to show them a video game. Leonor, Jay and I continued talking with Nico and Candalaria about life in the U.S. This was a nice ending to a long day of exploring.
If you want to expose your children to other cultures in a way that is more real, in-depth, personable and memorable – by working in community with them rather than just traveling – this is the way to really learn about another culture.
We were exposed to something few of us get to experience. Most often we simply drive through communities. This time we got to meet and really get to know people, and they were so generous. We got far more out of the experience than we gave.
Kathy P., Rock Point, AZ (family of 4)
This was our best family vacation and a phenomenal experience. I feel extremely fortunate that I was able to do this with my children. My children realized that although the people in the community we visited didn't have a lot of material possessions, they had some things we didn't. The community members were funny, loving and generous.
The group experience was what made it so great. The team leaders were remarkable. They never passed judgment and treated my children like full members of the group, so they acted that way. The experience made them more confident and more excited about taking other travel adventures.
Marcy G., Xiloxochico, Mexico (family of 6)
Volunteering in Tanzania was a life-changing experience that opened my eyes not only to the needs of our fellow global citizens, but also to the lovable and exhilarating culture of Bukoba.
Megan age 19, Bukoba, Tanzania
GCN wasn't just a volunteer trip but instead a life altering two weeks that helped me discover myself.
Shannon age 15, Bukoba, Tanzania
Our GCN sponsored program in Tanzania wasn't a vacation but rather a deeply moving experience our family will cherish for a lifetime.
Sean, Dad, Bukoba, Tanzania
Working side by side with my husband and children, helping, reaching out, and learning from people in a culture vastly different from our own together as a family was one of the most valuable experiences of my life. We are already planning our next volunteer vacation.
Karen, Mom, Bukoba, Tanzania
This experience changed all of us. Nothing can compare with it. It's made my kids into global citizens. Before we left for Kenya, I was concerned that my kids were getting spoiled, but the trip showed them how happy people were, even though they had so little by comparison. They also discovered how much more important it is to have experiences instead of things.
My kids are so mature now as a result of the trip. They have a new and broader world view.
Nancy F., Maili Tatu, Africa (3 time repeat participant with 2 kids)
I took each of my two granddaughters on a trip when they turned 13, as a rite of passage. It was tremendously bonding for us. It deepened our love and our relationship, but it also sensitized the girls to different cultures and helped them gain an understanding and empathy for others.
One of my granddaughters was extremely wary. She said, "I don't know how to do this and I don't want to be there." But by the end, she was begging to stay. She had formed some amazing friendships. It was quite a transition.
My advice to families considering this kind of trip is this: Even if you have some hesitation, trust that the experience will be transforming for your child and for your relationship with your child. My two granddaughters are totally different personalities, but the same positive transformation happened for both.
We had so many one-on-one reflective conversations about what we were experiencing and learning. It's a different and more intimate way of being with children.
The team members were incredibly kind to my teenagers. The leaders were such good role models -- caring and inclusive.
Meg V., Rock Point, AZ 2003; La Push, WA 2007
The truly amazing thing about this community is the pride, character, and sense of respect you feel being with them. They carry themselves with esteem. Being with them, you know they will not only survive, they will succeed, collectively using the resources available to them for the good of the whole.
Joyce, Pennsylvania; Kenya Participant
With the beauty, the simplicity, the strength and comedy of this place, each day becomes an adventure to be anticipated.
Gladys, Ontario; Kenya Participants
I learned much more that GCN is about the process of building long term relationships with communities, not necessarily about the process of "building!" It was truly priceless to be allowed to be on the 'construction site' with a bunch of indigenous people in Mexico. Tourists DO NOT get that opportunity-nor should they. We all believed WE TRULY MADE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS.
Diana, Colorado; Two-time Mexico Participant
I have just this last hour arrived back home after what can only be described as an experience of a lifetime, the people at Jampaling were wonderful and I return with a feeling of accomplishment, and everlasting respect for a group of people who work so hard with such limited resources to achieve their goals.
David, Ontario; Nepal Participant
As a GCN volunteer you expect to fill the role of giver, giving of your time, efforts, money and heart. During a recent trip to Nepal, I felt more like a wide receiver for a pro football team, with countless blessings being passed my way! It started before I even left with support from a bunch of people, some of whom I don't even know, my sponsors through fundraising.
Cherril, New York; Nepal Participant
A positive growing experience that will unfold as time moves on. I do appreciate the warm hospitality of the local Navajo people and thank them for all they did to open our eyes and heart to their life, culture and values.
Jerry, Minnesota; New Mexico volunteer
It has become the most meaningful thing I've experienced in my life. It was more than a casual cultural exchange. I never felt like a tourist - I felt like I was coming home.
Ted, New York; New Mexico volunteer
The trip to Rock Point was a wonderful experience for me. Our team really "connected" and are talking among ourselves of doing other trips together! We all agreed we haven't laughed and sung songs like we did there for a long time. The Navajo people are wonderful, and we were able to share songs, dinner with them and they with us. We were able to complete the projects they had for us and still have lots of time for culture exchange.
Lynne, California; Arizona volunteer
My goal was to get lifted out of my personal and professional rut, to have my head and heart spun around and to land more solid and grounded. For the most part this happened.
Nancy, Vermont; Guatemala volunteer
Because of a scholarship provided by Global Citizens Network, I was able to spend two weeks volunteering in Guatemala, in a rural village called Llanos de Morales. This was my second trip volunteering in a developing nation (I went to Nicaragua two years ago), but my first time working with GCN. My experience was unforgettable and I would recommend it to anyone!
The best thing about the trip was getting really close-up pictures of horses. The hardest part of the trip was leaving Chirapa
Tana-Isabel, Washington; Peru youth volunteer
I wanted to be "in the middle of nowhere" and enjoy it as well as learn about the Quechua culture. My comfort zone has expanded and I enjoyed getting to know the people!
The most inspiring moment for me was receiving a genuine Quechuan percussion instrument as a gift from the community. It showed me that the community valued my presence and it is something that I will never forget.
David, University of Minnesota Participant; Peru volunteer
As I zipped into my sleeping bag, I reflected on this totally crazy, awesome experience, and in many ways wondered how (why) we are having so much fun. This is -- by far -- the best trip we have ever taken as a family and perhaps even my best trip ever. Everything is an adventure. We are living it rather than observing it. Amy S., Chicago, Guatemala volunteer
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