This whole Peru trip has not been as easy as expected. Usually, interns who come to El Bichito teach a class at the elementary school a few days a week and hold an after school program. I brought four books, expecting to actually have time to read. However, it is currently Summer in Cajamarca, Peru. What we have been doing the last couple months is piloting a summer school program. This requires a little more planning on our part than tutoring does. Everyday we split up--big kids, and little kids--for English classes. Carina takes the big kids upstairs and Kylee and I keep the little ones (around 40 of them, ages 4-10). After English we meet back up and force the kids (yes, force) to do math and to read. After all that we are pooped and let them play until lunch. The challenge each day is finding a new way to teach the kids some English and still have enough fun to hold their attention. A hard feat even if you do speak their language. Luckily after week 4 or 5 we got the hang of it, either that or we became accustomed to the craziness.
While trying to decide what to teach the kids for our last week, Kylee and I decided that if the kids knew their English ABC's, numbers up to 20, and some basic English conversation we could count our teaching as a success. So with our time here at El Bichito coming to a rapid halt, we are getting our butts in gear and drilling them as hard as you can possibly drill 40+ little kids under 10.
Like I said before, this has been harder than I thought it would be. But there are two kinds of harder's. First there's the: "Wow. That test was way harder than I expected, I learned nothing, and school still sucks." And then there is: "Man! That hike was harder than I thought but I'm fine now and I'm glad I kept going cause look at this view!" I'm talking about the latter.
 |
| These butterflies and snowflakes are from the week we learned about the seasons |
 |
| Mariana. She will be telling me something in Spanish and when I tell her I have no idea what she's saying she smiles and hugs me instead. |
 |
| Ester #2 is a fire cracker. Keep scrolling for evidence. |
 |
| Talia loves me |
 |
| Kathya is one of my favorites because she gives me Jim Halpert looks all the time and I love it |
 |
| I'm not a freak, they had to connect the correct phrases with each other to create a spider web. I had to put the giant spider on there because half of the kids can't read yet and all they do is draw. |
 |
| Anyhela is really smart. She reminds me of myself because when we are in line for lunch she tells me to send another chica so the line doesn't get backed up. A girl who likes efficiency is a girl after my own heart. |
 |
| We love Natali because she is devious and smart. But we all know most devious people are smart people. (Shout out to you Lainy!) |
 |
| Jheremi |
 |
| Diego y Jheremi |
 |
| Naomi and her firery sister Ester #2 |
 |
| Ester #1 was our first love here at El Bichito. Some one try and convince me she isn't Cindy Lou Who reincarnated as a Peruvian |
Don't be fooled by Daisi's cute face. This one is a straight up pshyco.
 |
| We actually didn't find out until last week how wack this chica is. I just thought she was quiet and too young to understand anything, but actually she was saying sarcastic comments under her breath and warming up before she went full on fire. |
 |
| Deisi |
 |
| Damaris is probably one of the most beautiful little girls in the whole entire world. She's sister's with Ester #1, go figure. Good job to the parents. |
 |
| We talked about families the second week we were here. The pictures on the wall still get me... |
 |
| Jhimmy |
 |
| Erri |
