Author: Various
Placement: Placement 0053
Period:
2006
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Paul Taaffe, 89 Harolds Cross Cottages Harolds Cross, Dublin,
Ireland, Summer 20 06
After a nightmare of a bus journey I was somewhat concerned that volunteering with the PVF was the right decision for us - after all we could have been sunning ourselves on some tropical beach or traveling in luxury to some exotic destination.
These thoughts were soon vanquished after a warm welcome form Andrea and after settling into our cosy room we met Jorge - and after a warm welcome and breakfast we began to settle into Santa Elena.
Our lasting impression will be of the commitment and hard work of the PVF team and volunteers as they give their time and talents to improve the local communities. Paul Taffe, Ireland
Brian Taaffe, age 10
I did not know what to expect at the project the day before we arrived on the overnight bus. When I arrived in the guesthouse I had an idea it was going to be fun. The first day Jorge told us what to do the next day. We went to the tucosito and helped with the kids about 5 kids showed up on the first day. A couple of days later it was very fun because it was the opening of the mobile school. The people have been waiting for the mobile school for weeks. One of my favorite parts of staying in the guesthouse was the dogs. Carmen, (my favorite) Lucy, Soxes and princess (who was having puppies soon.) I liked when they shook my hand and sat down. Lat year in Thailand I done more volunteering not with people but with elephants. I liked volunteering when I go on holidays. I hope I can return to Venezuela and do the project again someday. Brian
Elaine Taaffe, age 12
It was a great experience for me to come to Santa Elena and work as a volunteer. I will never forget the Tucosito and the final training session of the mobile school. One of my fave things about the project was the day we brought the mobile school to the poorest part of Santa Elena. All the children were so happy and amazed to see it so it was always crowded. I will never forget the village and would like to return some day! Elaine
Emma Rose Feltes, Willard Ave Toronto, ON M6S 3S5 Canada, Summer 2006
Well, my dears, it has been an absolute pleasure. I have no idea how to begin to reflect on this experience. I'm coming away so full of inspiration - to travel, to work, to volunteer, to learn Spanish, to sing - and I feel like this is just the beginning. I want to thank Aldeas de Paz for this.
I also want to thank all of the volunteers - mis amigas, you are amazing. At the first training session for the mobile school we had to complete the sentence, "I feel good when….", and I said, "when I feel a connection with others." I am so happy I got to be a part of this incredible little community. You will not be forgotten, and all of the hilarious experiences we shared certainly will not either.
I started this summer hoping for a challenge and stepping into a classroom of cute and talented little niños y niñas between the ages of 6 and 11 with the task of teaching them a Mozart lament as certainly one and I hope that the music program can continue and develop in the future.
Well, it's been a ball, and I know that back in Canada, when someone asks me how my trip to Venezuela was, I can confidently
say, "¡SO "beep" GOOD!"
Much love,
Emma
Leah Kainer, Richardson
St. Victoria, BC CANADA V8S 1S3, Summer 2006
I will write this message in Spanish…OR NOT. I never imagined that when I arrived at the head quarters I would fine myself amongst twenty 20-year old American college students (sorry Girls, ALL girls) I had envisioned only speaking Spanish, hard physical labor all day, bathing in a river, surviving off rice and beans. Nonetheless its been an amazing time. I have never made so many good friends here. (Thank you all for being so friendly and accepting!)
Teaching English was both rewarding and challenging and I hope to do it again in the future. Tucosito was inspiring, and Chirikayen an eye-opener. (No water or light was a challenge!) Thank you so much to Andrea, Manfred, and my darling Jorgito for making my stay so comfortable. I would try to be witty and funny here but I'm soooo hung over. I'm sorry! I feel so comfortable in St. Elena and very attached. Its hard to leave. I'll miss you all.
XOXO Leah, Canada
Rachel Magnus Helmsdale
Drive Sacramento, CA 95828 United States, Summer 2006
I'm going to keep this very short and sweet, because in all
honesty, words cant really express how much I've enjoyed living in this little
city full of surprises, teaching English classes that seemed to always be
cancelled due to rain, and spending time with the amazing, amazing, AMAZING
volunteers - my friends and the people of Santa Elena!!
Everyday had been a heap of new experiences for me, and I only hope that I can take these new experiences and use them positively in the future.
Okay, I feel like I'm starting to say a shit load of card crap that I hate, so I am going to say what I really want to say: I WILL MISS EVERYONE HERE SO MUCH (you know who you are)
Everyone in Santa Elena keeps asking me if I will return someday. Hopefully I will, but one never knows. It can never be the same, amazing time that I've had within this last month, and it will always be hard to remember that. I hope everyone will keep in touch (you better), and if you come visit me in D.C, you always have a La Linea Hamaca to sleep in (sorry, no hector included). I love you all, and only know that you will do wonderful things in your futures. It's comey sounding, but I truly believe it!!
Love,
Rachel (AKA Dominique Moceaneau)
Philipp Christian Marsanic, Kriemhildenstr. 22,
80639 Munich, Alemania, Summer 2006
First two general things I wanna say are: Everybody who is reading this, come or came to St. Elena for helping the community in some way, is someone special(!), driven by reasons to do something good & meaningful is very important & there should be more people on world like we or you are.
The second thing to say is THANKYOU. This goes out to Family Mata, allowing us, tolerantly to use the kitchen & supported us & helping us. Also thanks to the Peacevillages team - Jorgito you cared so nice about us. Sweet!
Okay, and now something for new volunteers, in someway tips about what I missed to do maybe:
o For being well involved in the community, it is quite important to find out as much as possible about the Pemon Indian Community. The Nature & ENVIRONMENT. The different cultures in St. Elena. What is their way of living, working & communication to each other? And where are their "roots", trying to find out about what they are interested about and much more...
o About working: trying to focus on peoples/kids interests. Going to Tucusito & working with children is very nice, but it is probably nicer when you have concrete ideas before, what to play & do. So I think what I missed is to get concrete information about kids, games & ideas what to do with them.
Now I'd like to say something about the time I had here: I think I used my 4 weeks holidays as good as possible. Coming to St. Elena was in every way the right decision. Sure, there had possibly more be done, more work & more help be given. But "bad" experiences are good experiences too & we can learn from it so good.
And dudes, I am really happy I met you guys here. You are so nice people & a "magical meeting" is absolutely necessary in the future! Also, I would like to see Andrea, Richard, Jorge & Manfred again - Maybe in Germany?! - Munich! Just the best wishes for every one of you!
Regards Philipp (Felipe)