I meant to use this blog to tell some Inca history but its seems as though I have not managed to say much about the place or its history. I will do so when I get back home. I have some photos which I want to post and talk about. So don't go away just yet.
I have really enjoyed my time here. It has been the most incredible experience in every way, both at the PF and Colibri. I maybe said more about the PF but thats because so much happened there.
The best part has been all the kids I've worked with, and their love and affection. I must have spoken and played with hundreds of kids since I came here, and all were memorable. Some very sad, some very funny, some cheerful but all worth my time.
The saddest part was Fernando's disappearance. Needless to say he remains lost. At least to us. Marco's misfortune yesterday comes a close second, but I think he will eventually get back to his father, though how that works out is another matter altogether.
Cusco is a great place to live and I have made lots of new friends here, with whom I will keep in touch.
As this is my last posting in Cusco I want to say a special thank you to Elena who has helped so much and will continue to do so.
The very best bit has been getting to know Basilio, Ever, Fernando, Marco and Robin. who knows some day they may read this. I will try my best to come back to see how they get on.
Thats all for now folks.
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Ever, Robin, Basilio and Marco
Today Elena and I made a final effort to find Ever and Robin. We set off at 8.30 to visit their mother at her market stall. Lo and behold she told us that the boys have been in an orphanage for the past four days. Why the police could not tell us god only knows. Anyway Elena chatted to their mother and we have a much better understanding of their story. Needless to say its not a happy one but not for here.
We visited them at their orphanage and they were both surprised and delighted to see us. Ever jumped all over me, soon followed by Robin. They are very happy in their orphanage and seem quite settled, which is a relief. They are both talkingabout staying here for as long as they are allowed, which will be at least till they are 15. But thats one story with a reasonably happy ending. Lets hope it continues for them.
After meeting them I was allowed to take them out. They were delighted to come with me. We visited Maximo Nivel and they played the computers here. They then starred in a video which I was asked to do about my work at La Policia de la Familia. That was exciting for them and a bit of an ordeal for me, to say the least. They met some folk here and we went to a cafe before I took them back home.
I have just been to visit Basilio and he seems reasonably happy. It may not be long before they take him back to Urcos. I found it hard to say goodbye to him, but kept a brave face for him. He could hardly look at me in the end, and I think he just wanted it over. Kept asking me to come back tomorrow, but he knows its not possible.
I will be visiting Marco at 7pm tonight. They have been away for the day so could not go earlier. I had a good day with him yesterday and he was able to tell me about his home life and why he ran away. Not a happy story. He has agreed to talk to Elena about things and hopefully she will be able to follow up. Its hard for these boys to talk about what has happened to them as they find it difficult to trust anyone at all, and most have little time for them anyway.
We visited them at their orphanage and they were both surprised and delighted to see us. Ever jumped all over me, soon followed by Robin. They are very happy in their orphanage and seem quite settled, which is a relief. They are both talkingabout staying here for as long as they are allowed, which will be at least till they are 15. But thats one story with a reasonably happy ending. Lets hope it continues for them.
After meeting them I was allowed to take them out. They were delighted to come with me. We visited Maximo Nivel and they played the computers here. They then starred in a video which I was asked to do about my work at La Policia de la Familia. That was exciting for them and a bit of an ordeal for me, to say the least. They met some folk here and we went to a cafe before I took them back home.
I have just been to visit Basilio and he seems reasonably happy. It may not be long before they take him back to Urcos. I found it hard to say goodbye to him, but kept a brave face for him. He could hardly look at me in the end, and I think he just wanted it over. Kept asking me to come back tomorrow, but he knows its not possible.
I will be visiting Marco at 7pm tonight. They have been away for the day so could not go earlier. I had a good day with him yesterday and he was able to tell me about his home life and why he ran away. Not a happy story. He has agreed to talk to Elena about things and hopefully she will be able to follow up. Its hard for these boys to talk about what has happened to them as they find it difficult to trust anyone at all, and most have little time for them anyway.
Basilio goes backwards
I took Basilio out on Thursday and he was not a happy boy as he was going back to live with his father next day. I was invited to go with him and Gabriella from the PF to take him home on Friday. His father lives in a place called Urcos which is about an hour in a taxi from Cusco.
We left Cusco at 6 am, in a taxi which was full to overflowing. It was an estate car, with 3 people in the boot part, 3 adults and me with Basilio on my knee in the back seat and 1 passenger in the front. Of course the driver thought he was racing in Schumacher. It was hair raising to say the least.
When we got to Urcos it was very early and we had to wait for the court house to open to report Basilio's return. So we went for breakfast.
When we got to the court they told us that they could not take Basilio back in their jurisdiction as they had no paper work. So we could not take him to his father's and the orphanage would not have him back either without the paperwork. He is now back in La Polcia de la Familia.
This is not quite what I had hoped for him. It would have been difficult leaving him behind anyway but leaving him in the PF is very distressing. I will visit him there once more tonight before I leave.
All for now as have Ever and Robin with me on 2 computers and we are off to make a video. More later.
We left Cusco at 6 am, in a taxi which was full to overflowing. It was an estate car, with 3 people in the boot part, 3 adults and me with Basilio on my knee in the back seat and 1 passenger in the front. Of course the driver thought he was racing in Schumacher. It was hair raising to say the least.
When we got to Urcos it was very early and we had to wait for the court house to open to report Basilio's return. So we went for breakfast.
When we got to the court they told us that they could not take Basilio back in their jurisdiction as they had no paper work. So we could not take him to his father's and the orphanage would not have him back either without the paperwork. He is now back in La Polcia de la Familia.
This is not quite what I had hoped for him. It would have been difficult leaving him behind anyway but leaving him in the PF is very distressing. I will visit him there once more tonight before I leave.
All for now as have Ever and Robin with me on 2 computers and we are off to make a video. More later.
Thursday, October 12, 2006
Super Mario and The Clash
Today is a beautiful day here, but the wet season is not far away now. Starts in November for real. We have had a bit of rain recently which was nice.
I have been busy with last minute organisation and visits so not much time for my blog. I will try to do one more posting at the weekend before I leave here on Sunday.
The only disappointment in my time here has been Fernando going missing. He has not shown up yet anywhere that we have looked. I strongly suspect that he is in Lima. I just hope that he has been found there by the police and is safely in an orphanage there. The police don't co-ordinate nationally over kids who have run away, so even if he is in Lima the police in Cusco would not necesarily be told. Elena will keep looking for him after I have left. So hopefully she will eventually send me good news about him.
Marco and Basilio are safely settled in their children's home. I am taking them both out again before I leave. I took Marco to Maximo Nivel on Saturday, after we'd bought some clothes for him, and been for a meal. He had never been on a PC before. He quickly got the hang of it though. He had never heard of Super Mario, which is one of the first games that I managed to get up for him. He loved it. I couldn't get him away from the PC after that. I wanted to show him other games but Mario got his imagination and he was soon getting up to higher levels. I took a brief video clip of jim on my camera, but cannot send to my blog.
I am taking Basilio out today. He is coming with me to Colibri to say good bye to the kids there, and then to a nice cafe near Plaza de Armas for eats. Tomorrow will be Marco's turn, and I hope to be able to watch him play football, before we go out.
Ever and Robin have been moved from the PF. As far as i can make out their mother has not agreed to take them back so they will be in an orphanage some where. Elena will try to find out which one and I will try to visit them on Saturday, and maybe take Ever out for a while. I don't think I could cope with Robin as well.
There were 28 children in the PF when I went up there on Monday. Which makes it very difficult to do anything with them. Just to be there and try to talk to the ones who are willing to talk for a bit. They like to know all about where I come from. They mostly have little or no knowledge of geography. Which is why I always carry a world map with me. One of the boys likes opera. He lives in Lima and seems to know about music. I dont know why he is in Cusco, but he has no family to care for him except brothers and sisters. Lots of talent seems to go to waste in this place.
Taxi drivers are still playing dodgem with me in the back. I used to sit in the front but gave that up as it seemed too dangerous altogether. Last week a taxi driver was playing The Clash, "Police & Thieves" on his tape player. I asked him about it but am not sure he quite understood the lyrics. Maybe he did, but it was a pleasant surprise anyway.
I have been busy with last minute organisation and visits so not much time for my blog. I will try to do one more posting at the weekend before I leave here on Sunday.
The only disappointment in my time here has been Fernando going missing. He has not shown up yet anywhere that we have looked. I strongly suspect that he is in Lima. I just hope that he has been found there by the police and is safely in an orphanage there. The police don't co-ordinate nationally over kids who have run away, so even if he is in Lima the police in Cusco would not necesarily be told. Elena will keep looking for him after I have left. So hopefully she will eventually send me good news about him.
Marco and Basilio are safely settled in their children's home. I am taking them both out again before I leave. I took Marco to Maximo Nivel on Saturday, after we'd bought some clothes for him, and been for a meal. He had never been on a PC before. He quickly got the hang of it though. He had never heard of Super Mario, which is one of the first games that I managed to get up for him. He loved it. I couldn't get him away from the PC after that. I wanted to show him other games but Mario got his imagination and he was soon getting up to higher levels. I took a brief video clip of jim on my camera, but cannot send to my blog.
I am taking Basilio out today. He is coming with me to Colibri to say good bye to the kids there, and then to a nice cafe near Plaza de Armas for eats. Tomorrow will be Marco's turn, and I hope to be able to watch him play football, before we go out.
Ever and Robin have been moved from the PF. As far as i can make out their mother has not agreed to take them back so they will be in an orphanage some where. Elena will try to find out which one and I will try to visit them on Saturday, and maybe take Ever out for a while. I don't think I could cope with Robin as well.
There were 28 children in the PF when I went up there on Monday. Which makes it very difficult to do anything with them. Just to be there and try to talk to the ones who are willing to talk for a bit. They like to know all about where I come from. They mostly have little or no knowledge of geography. Which is why I always carry a world map with me. One of the boys likes opera. He lives in Lima and seems to know about music. I dont know why he is in Cusco, but he has no family to care for him except brothers and sisters. Lots of talent seems to go to waste in this place.
Taxi drivers are still playing dodgem with me in the back. I used to sit in the front but gave that up as it seemed too dangerous altogether. Last week a taxi driver was playing The Clash, "Police & Thieves" on his tape player. I asked him about it but am not sure he quite understood the lyrics. Maybe he did, but it was a pleasant surprise anyway.
Wednesday, October 11, 2006
Monday, October 09, 2006
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Jesus mi Luz
Elena managed to find out where Basilio and Marco have been moved to. They are in an orphanage called Jesus mi Luz. I visited them there on Thursday. Was not too sure what sort of reception I would get from them, but need not have worried. They both came running along the corridor shouting my name. Basilio, who is 8 got there first and was all over me. Marco was not far behind but a bit more reserves thougfh not much. Also a bit jealous I think as he wants me all to himself.
I stayed with them for about an hour and they gave me a tour of the place. We met four other boys from La Policia de la Familia who have now been moved here, Abel, Miguel, Juan Carlos and another boy whose name I forget. It was great to see them all as I did wonder what had become of them. They were all demanding my attention and time, and asking me to take them out. Its a bit difficult as I cant spend time with all of them, and I dont want them to think that I favour some over others. It was just so difficult as we had not realised that all these boys were now at Jesus mi Luz. Nice name that dont you think. The question mark on this machine is no longer in the same place. We had an upgrade to XP Pro, SP2 last night so things must have changed somehow. Neither do I know how to put accents on Spanish words, as Jesus should have one on the u.
Basilio insisted that I come back to see him on Friday night, and as its not far and I wasnt at Colibri I agreed. When I was let in the gate on Friday, there was a gang of the ex PF boys standing on the steps to their playroom, who began chanting very loudly, DONALD, DONALD, quickly to be joined by the rest of the boys. It was a bit embarrasing as there were a few workers and volunteers around who must have wondered what the hell was going on. But stll I have to admit it gave me a bit of a thrill. Better than scoring the winner for Sir Alex in the cup final against Arsenal. One of many highlights of my trip here.
I took Basilio out to buy some clothes yesterday and we went to a cafe called Maos, which has lots of play things for kids. He enjoyed the outing. Im taking Marco out today, but will have to go somewhere different and more suitable for a 13 year old.
Thats it for now.
I stayed with them for about an hour and they gave me a tour of the place. We met four other boys from La Policia de la Familia who have now been moved here, Abel, Miguel, Juan Carlos and another boy whose name I forget. It was great to see them all as I did wonder what had become of them. They were all demanding my attention and time, and asking me to take them out. Its a bit difficult as I cant spend time with all of them, and I dont want them to think that I favour some over others. It was just so difficult as we had not realised that all these boys were now at Jesus mi Luz. Nice name that dont you think. The question mark on this machine is no longer in the same place. We had an upgrade to XP Pro, SP2 last night so things must have changed somehow. Neither do I know how to put accents on Spanish words, as Jesus should have one on the u.
Basilio insisted that I come back to see him on Friday night, and as its not far and I wasnt at Colibri I agreed. When I was let in the gate on Friday, there was a gang of the ex PF boys standing on the steps to their playroom, who began chanting very loudly, DONALD, DONALD, quickly to be joined by the rest of the boys. It was a bit embarrasing as there were a few workers and volunteers around who must have wondered what the hell was going on. But stll I have to admit it gave me a bit of a thrill. Better than scoring the winner for Sir Alex in the cup final against Arsenal. One of many highlights of my trip here.
I took Basilio out to buy some clothes yesterday and we went to a cafe called Maos, which has lots of play things for kids. He enjoyed the outing. Im taking Marco out today, but will have to go somewhere different and more suitable for a 13 year old.
Thats it for now.
Friday, October 06, 2006
Bottle feeding in the PF and some nakedness
It gets more and more incredible every day at La Policia de la Familia.
Amidst all the commotion on Wdnesday with thestreet kids the police left me with a baby of no more than 6 months.
There I am with 14 boys and 1 girl with this baby in my arms, fortunately I was sitting down at the time and was able to bottle feed her.
I can tell you this is not easy with 15 kids all wanting a go at it. One of them tried to pull the bottle out of my hands. Needless to say the baby was beautiful. Jet black hair and big brown eyes. Not one tear or cry for the whole 30 minutes the kids and I cared for her. And guess who was most tender towrds her. Yes it was Ever.
And as far as the teenage girl who took her clothes off today with the toilet door wide open the least said the better. The boys were all very polite and turned their heads the other way. The girl has lots of problems intellectually speaking. The police came in and gave her a row.
Amidst all the commotion on Wdnesday with thestreet kids the police left me with a baby of no more than 6 months.
There I am with 14 boys and 1 girl with this baby in my arms, fortunately I was sitting down at the time and was able to bottle feed her.
I can tell you this is not easy with 15 kids all wanting a go at it. One of them tried to pull the bottle out of my hands. Needless to say the baby was beautiful. Jet black hair and big brown eyes. Not one tear or cry for the whole 30 minutes the kids and I cared for her. And guess who was most tender towrds her. Yes it was Ever.
And as far as the teenage girl who took her clothes off today with the toilet door wide open the least said the better. The boys were all very polite and turned their heads the other way. The girl has lots of problems intellectually speaking. The police came in and gave her a row.
Ever and Robin
Ever and Robin are two brothers aged 12 and 13 who work on the street, one as a shoe shine boy and one selling postcards. They are not street kids in the sense that they have no home to go to,but most of their waking hours are spent on the streets.
On Tuesday night they were lifted by the police in a raid of street kids. Raid is what they call it. Apparently the Mayor is not keen on tourists being harangued by these children so he asks the cops to lift them or move them elsewhere. Those they cannot get to their homes end up in La Policia de la Familia until their parents are found or they are placed somewhere.
Ever and Robins mother was not at home and could not be found so they were brought to the PF and here they remain. They are two really friendly kids who look out for each other all the time. I got on well with both of them and did my best to make things easy for them. They expected to be out the next day but no such luck for them. They were both upset and tearful on Wednesday. Ever, the youngest, wanted me to hold him but Robin kept his distance.
By Thursday they knew me quite well and we played lots of games and they really enjoyed the attention. Street kids like to pretend they are so tough but underneath it all is usually a very soft,insecure, lost little boy looking forthe afection that most kids take for granted and never have to think about. Just like most of you reading this blog.
At 11 am Thursday their mother arrived for them, and they said good bye to me. I wondered why Ever had not taken his shoe shing gear with him, but came back with it and left it under the bed. I forgor about it till an hour later when they came back to the room. I could see they were upset so went to talk to them. They told me they were to go to an orphanage next week. I asked why but they could not or would not say. This time when they both cried they looked at each other and both came to me and put their arms round me for a cuddle. I could see the affection and love they have for each other in their eyes and it was both uplifting and depressing to be inthat situation. This time Robin was not at all eluctant to come to me, for which I was glad. But its really tough trying to comfort boys their age.
They are still in the PF today and hopr to move to an orphanage next Tuesday. Ihave no idea what happened with their mother or why shedid not take the boys home.
But I cannot even begin to understand how they feel in the face of such rejection. I have seen some hard stuff in the few weeks I have been here but that level of rejection takes some matching. I will do my best over next few days t osupport them and maybe visittheir orphanage when the move.
Now they have a celtic type hug with me every time I leave. It was instigated by Ever who always wants a hug when I'm about to go. He just pulled his brother in one time and there we were the three of us in the middle of this place doing the celtic style hug. It's an amazing feeling I can tell you.
On Tuesday night they were lifted by the police in a raid of street kids. Raid is what they call it. Apparently the Mayor is not keen on tourists being harangued by these children so he asks the cops to lift them or move them elsewhere. Those they cannot get to their homes end up in La Policia de la Familia until their parents are found or they are placed somewhere.
Ever and Robins mother was not at home and could not be found so they were brought to the PF and here they remain. They are two really friendly kids who look out for each other all the time. I got on well with both of them and did my best to make things easy for them. They expected to be out the next day but no such luck for them. They were both upset and tearful on Wednesday. Ever, the youngest, wanted me to hold him but Robin kept his distance.
By Thursday they knew me quite well and we played lots of games and they really enjoyed the attention. Street kids like to pretend they are so tough but underneath it all is usually a very soft,insecure, lost little boy looking forthe afection that most kids take for granted and never have to think about. Just like most of you reading this blog.
At 11 am Thursday their mother arrived for them, and they said good bye to me. I wondered why Ever had not taken his shoe shing gear with him, but came back with it and left it under the bed. I forgor about it till an hour later when they came back to the room. I could see they were upset so went to talk to them. They told me they were to go to an orphanage next week. I asked why but they could not or would not say. This time when they both cried they looked at each other and both came to me and put their arms round me for a cuddle. I could see the affection and love they have for each other in their eyes and it was both uplifting and depressing to be inthat situation. This time Robin was not at all eluctant to come to me, for which I was glad. But its really tough trying to comfort boys their age.
They are still in the PF today and hopr to move to an orphanage next Tuesday. Ihave no idea what happened with their mother or why shedid not take the boys home.
But I cannot even begin to understand how they feel in the face of such rejection. I have seen some hard stuff in the few weeks I have been here but that level of rejection takes some matching. I will do my best over next few days t osupport them and maybe visittheir orphanage when the move.
Now they have a celtic type hug with me every time I leave. It was instigated by Ever who always wants a hug when I'm about to go. He just pulled his brother in one time and there we were the three of us in the middle of this place doing the celtic style hug. It's an amazing feeling I can tell you.
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
Fernando is still missing
I have just put some photos of our trip to San Salvador last Tuesday on the blog.
Fernando is still missing. He could of course have been found somewhere by the police and be in an orphanage some place. We would not necessarily be told if he had been found, but I can only hope that he is safe somewhere.
We will make another effort this week end with a few phone calls and Elena is teaching an art class in Calca, which is where his grandparents live. She will go there early and check with the police and then visit his grandparents.
Thats all for now. Off the La Policia de la Familia. Its 10 am here and a beautiful day.
Fernando is still missing. He could of course have been found somewhere by the police and be in an orphanage some place. We would not necessarily be told if he had been found, but I can only hope that he is safe somewhere.
We will make another effort this week end with a few phone calls and Elena is teaching an art class in Calca, which is where his grandparents live. She will go there early and check with the police and then visit his grandparents.
Thats all for now. Off the La Policia de la Familia. Its 10 am here and a beautiful day.
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Marco & Basilio
Thursday morning at La Policia de la Familia and Basilio is being dragged out by two policewomen, soon after I arrive. He tries to hide behind the beds but to no avail of course. By then he is in tears, so I stop the policewomen and put my arms round him. The police women back off and I was able to calm him down, and promised to be back tomorrow to see him. The police told me he would still be here, no problem. With that he was happy, and no longer crying.
Friday morning of course no Basilio to be seen. Marco, who had been there on Thursday told me he was sent to an orphanage. I feel as though I've let him down badly, but not much I can do about it. I will try to find out where he is now and visit him before I leave here.
Marco is a 13 year old who was in the PF on his own for two days, Friday and Saturday. He is a really nice kid and we get on well. I can try my spanish with him and he is very patient. We play card games and he likes to listen to my mp3 player. His mother is dead and his father is not around. He tells me he has brothers in Lima and a sister in Cusco. He expects to move to an orphanage soon. I dont know why he is here.
Saturday morning I took him some fruit and bread. I was told that n00o lunch would be provided for him. We played for a bit and he ate his fruit. he loves apples. I felt so bad about him being on his own that I promised to come back at night to see him. He was delighted.
When I went back Juanita gave me some quiche and rice to take to him. Fortunately she had given me enogh for two as there was another boy called Roni there by then. All they had to eat all day was rice pudding and milk. So my delivery was devoured rapidly.
Later on another boy, Juan arrived. He was a runaway from his orphanage but will go back this morning.
Then a 7 year old called Julio arrived, accompanied by his pet puppy. Guess what dog is called? Lassie. Julio is a tiny wee fellow and completely bewildered. He was just pointed into the room and left with me. I hope his mother comes to collect him.
Its now 10 am and I promised Marco to be there with some apples by 10.30, so need to go.
Friday morning of course no Basilio to be seen. Marco, who had been there on Thursday told me he was sent to an orphanage. I feel as though I've let him down badly, but not much I can do about it. I will try to find out where he is now and visit him before I leave here.
Marco is a 13 year old who was in the PF on his own for two days, Friday and Saturday. He is a really nice kid and we get on well. I can try my spanish with him and he is very patient. We play card games and he likes to listen to my mp3 player. His mother is dead and his father is not around. He tells me he has brothers in Lima and a sister in Cusco. He expects to move to an orphanage soon. I dont know why he is here.
Saturday morning I took him some fruit and bread. I was told that n00o lunch would be provided for him. We played for a bit and he ate his fruit. he loves apples. I felt so bad about him being on his own that I promised to come back at night to see him. He was delighted.
When I went back Juanita gave me some quiche and rice to take to him. Fortunately she had given me enogh for two as there was another boy called Roni there by then. All they had to eat all day was rice pudding and milk. So my delivery was devoured rapidly.
Later on another boy, Juan arrived. He was a runaway from his orphanage but will go back this morning.
Then a 7 year old called Julio arrived, accompanied by his pet puppy. Guess what dog is called? Lassie. Julio is a tiny wee fellow and completely bewildered. He was just pointed into the room and left with me. I hope his mother comes to collect him.
Its now 10 am and I promised Marco to be there with some apples by 10.30, so need to go.
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