Thoughts on working with children

October 26, 2011 by Meghan Johnson

When I first heard I’d be working with four-year-olds for five weeks, I was secretly horrified.  I do like kids, in a very vague, conditional way.  I like them for limited and quantifiable periods of time; I like them if I don’t have to discipline them; I like them if they are already potty-trained and quiet.  I have no experience with dealing with more than a few at a time, let alone 30 of them. Unsurprisingly, my first few weeks […]

Categories: Children, Peru, Volunteerism

Villa El Salvador: A Self-Managed Experiment in Peaceful Development

October 13, 2011 by Meghan Johnson

Today I joined in on home-visits of five elderly residents of Villa El Salvador with Sister Jackie, an American-born nun who has been living and serving in Villa for the past thirty years.  Benedicta, Juana, Domingo, Irene, Urbelina.  All are regulars at Martincitos, a community center for the elderly that provides meals, activity, and an extended family of sorts.  It’s a place that is heavy with love– the “love thy neighbor” kind of love– done very well. We drove through […]

Categories: Community Development, Peru, Volunteerism

Caracoles, Pichi, y Plantas

October 9, 2011 by Meghan Johnson

Daily walks from the classroom to the dining hall with the four year-old students at my volunteer placement really should be enjoyable.  The kids couldn’t be more adorable, with their shiny black hair and dimpled smiles.  The weather is lovely and the school grounds are charming.  But as these cherubs stroll along the fence of the vegetable garden, they have only one dark goal in mind.  Their eyes pass over every leaf and under every rock, despite my pleas to […]

Categories: Children, Peru, Volunteerism

Answering some common questions

September 14, 2011 by Meghan Johnson

Let me preface this by saying I really do love getting emails, calls, and texts from loved ones showing interest in my life.  Keep them coming!  It’s just that some of the questions (er, most of them) have overlapped at the very least, and I’ve found myself answering the same questions many times (which can be very time-consuming for someone without a job).  I’m hoping this quick Q&A will provide some insight, all in one place. Where are you going? […]

Categories: Peru, Travel, Volunteerism