VOLUNTEERING: TIMES OF OUR LIVES
Volunteers Experiences at Mama Cocha
Emma Rowley - UK
Volunteering at Mama Cocha has, without doubt, been one of the best decisions I have ever made. At 25, having missed the ´gap year´boat but still wanting more from life than the usual 9 to 5 routine, I came upon the Kiya website and was immediately excited by the idea of working with the special group of children and adults at the Mama Cocha Albergue in Los Organos.
Having worked with children with special needs since leaving university, I was keen to be able to contribute to the work of the staff and other volunteers at Mama Cocha, but with no spoken Spanish and no previous travelling experience, my friends and family could be excused for thinking I was going a little mad! Nevertheless in January I set off to Peru to join two other volunteers at the Mama Cocha Albergue.
Arriving in Mancora was a huge culture shock : hot, dusty streets alive with the sounds of market traders selling their wares, moto taxis honking their horns and a sea of houses with their tin rooves, bounded on one side by the imposing hills of red stone, and on the other by the tropical paradise of the Pacific Ocean.
Living in the heart of the community, it didn´t take long for us to feel at home, and for people to recognise us from our distinctive orange T-shirts!! What has struck me the most is the overwhelming friendliness and generosity of the locals, always wanting to stop and chat, and ready to help with any problem, whatever the time of day or night.
Living in the heart of the community, it didn´t take long for us to feel at home, and for people to recognise us from our distinctive orange T-shirts!! What has struck me the most is the overwhelming friendliness and generosity of the locals, always wanting to stop and chat, and ready to help with any problem, whatever the time of day or night. Day to day as a volunteer, it´s up to you to invent weird and wonderful activities for the children and adults who attend the centre. Be sure to bring plenty of creative ideas with you...your Blue Peter badge-earning potential will not go to waste!! From painting, cutting and sticking to singing, dancing and making pancakes, there are opportunities for everyone to use their unique skills.It´s not all fun and games though...when the entire town has been without water for a week, and the children are hot, tired and cranky, that´s when it´s your job as a Kiya volunteer to make sure that everyone leaves with a smiile on their face.
When your day at Mama Cocha is over, you don´t have to go far to discover that it´s not all work and no play for a Kiya volunteer! From surfing, snorkelling and horseriding at sunset, to sunbathing and sipping cocktails on the beach, there is something for everyone. And it really is true, the more you get involved, the more opportunities and experiences you will take away with you...I never imagined I would feel so much a part of the community and leave with so many friendships in the short time that I have been here.
With only three weeks left here, time has seemed to run away with me. I´ve had so many different experiences and will take back some truly amazing memories. I can honestly say that my experience here will stay with me for the rest of my life, and hopefully one day in the future I will come back to see the smiling happy faces of Mama Cocha again.
The above information was written by Emma Rowley, she can be contacted at the following email address and is happy to answer any queries or worries you may have concerning the volunteer programs:
rowleyem@yahoo.co.uk
Suzanna Hunt — UK
I have really enjoyed my time at Mama Cocha. It is a very rewarding volunteer placement and I have learnt a lot. The children are gorgeous and you really get what you put in. They have so little attention at home that when they get it they shine. I was quite overwhelmed when I first arrived. There is a lot of abuse - both physical and sexual and some of the conditions that the kid have been found in have been truely "infrahumano." I would recommend the programme for someone who is quite independent and willing to get fully involved. The staff at Mama Cocha are lovely and I have been amazed at how supportive and helpful everybody has been.
Community living
The volunteer flan is in Mancora which was fantastic. It was right in the middle of the community, above a lovely family who sell ice-creams (who could ask for anything more!). The people are wonderful. The have nothing and they share everything. I have really felt part of the community and it always takes longer than you think to walk down the street because everyone wants to greet you.
The market is at the end of the street so you have easy access to food. Having said that you can eat like a King and find it difficult to spend more than 4 quid!
It was really nice to be living in a different town to Los Organos.The collectivo drivers get to know you quite quickly and will always make sure that you have everything. Mancora is quite a tourist location and there are lots of distractions - if you fancy surfing, hot springs, horse riding etc in your spare time. Again the locals are amazingly helpful and there is lots to explore.
The above information was written by Suzanna Hunt, she can be contacted at the following email address and is happy to answer any queries or worries you may have concerning the volunteer programs:
huntsuzanna@yahoo.co.uk
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 Suzanna with kids at Mama Cocha |
Information for Volunteers
