When High Cloud started working with Rayito del Sol school, children's safety and education concerned the community. But just a year into this Lima, Peru-based project, and after much help from interns this summer, the school stands more secure.
"I believe High Cloud has had a very positive
impact on the school, Rayito del Sol, as well as the surrounding community,"
said Noelle Hilmer, a summer intern at the school. "The community seems to
really embrace and trust the organization, and they're eager to work with High
Cloud."
Noelle and partner David Bratton, both students
at Notre Dame University, spent most of the summer volunteering in Lima and
Cuzco. While there, the two worked with the communities and partner organization Peru's
Challenge to alleviate the poor facilities in which children from
five to 18 years old learn.
"These are very, very low income families," said
Maribel Ramos, High Cloud's coordinator for Peru. "A lot of times these
families make a hundred dollars a month or less, and it's amazing the
involvement they've put in with High Cloud."
The pinnacle of their project was construction
of a retaining wall at the school, which sits on a hill. David said
building the wall improved the children's safety. In an area with
frequent earthquakes, the structure needed extra support. He said the
project also offered an opportunity for parents to engage with their children's
education. Parents took turns each week working with a professional bricklayer
to build the wall.
"Building the wall of contention this summer was
very important to the parents of the children because it ensures the children
will be in a safer environment," said Noelle. "The parents were more than
willing to help with the construction of the wall, and even held a fundraiser
while we were there."
Along with this project, David and Noelle
presented English language, health and environment programs. Maribel stressed
that educating the children about the environment is key in South America.
"Especially in a country where the pollution
level is really high, communities are starting to focus on environmental
issues," she said. "We need to make sure as they grow older that it's a big
focus because it will affect them and the communities."
Along with the education and construction
work, David and Noelle spent time getting to know the children and their
families at outings and fundraisers. David said this part of the internship was
the best for him because he wanted to immerse himself in the culture and community. The Peruvians impressed him.
"The families didn't have much, but they were
extremely generous and loving, and they brought us right in," he said.
Noelle said that she felt the same way, and she
even has plans to return to Lima to visit the children in October.
"I absolutely love working with children, so it
was very important to develop relationships with the children while I was
there," she said.
The community around Rayito del Sol will have to continue its work,
according to David, Noelle and Maribel. The children need a school building
that is firmly constructed, as well as a real bathroom.
"Right now the building is made out of not-quite
cardboard, but it's getting there, and the bathroom is just a hole in the
ground," said David
Noelle concurs.
"The small school, only about 8 meters by 8
meters, is constructed out of a very thin, warped wood, with a tin roof that
just doesn't seem to hold very well anymore. Building another classroom that is
more sustainable, possibly out of brick, would help the teacher immensely, as
well as last for many years to come," she said.
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