1st Day Volunteering

The PPA Campus

Today was our first day at the PPA. We first met with the Director and main staff, who welcomed us and explained their program. There are currently about 180 children at the PPA, ages 0 to 17. There are currently fewer children at the PPA because it is the summer here, and many kids go home to live with their parents during the summer break. Children are placed at the PPA by their biological parents or social workers, who have to apply and have the children accepted by the PPA. The application process includes a psychological evaluation and medical exam, so the children at the PPA do not have many identified disabilities. Those children go to other facilities in Lima.

We had a tour of the campus, and I was surprised at how nice the facility is. It is huge and the buildings for the children are very spacious and clean. The children were very excited to see us, especially the 4 and 5 year old girls, who all ran up to us and wanted to introduce themselves (and wear my sunglasses).
The Main Building


We had lunch together as a team and then I worked with the 3 year olds in the afternoon (35 of them!) I was amazed by how well behaved the children are, and how well they listen and respect their caregivers. I was assigned to work with Albertina, a woman who has been working with the 3 yr olds at the PPA for the past 12 years. The children are all adorable and the main Spanish phrase I needed to know was "empujeme" which means "push me" on the swings. I am looking forward to going back tomorrow to be with the children again, but I am exhausted from my afternoon with the kids.