My time at Con Corazón made my Peruvian experience special, autentic and unforgettable. The aim of my sabbatical as a teacher was not just to travel, but to really get to know a country, its people, its culture and its language.
Volunteering at Con Corazón helped me to fulfill this dream!
I arrived in Peru traveling with friends. As soon as I came to Cusco, I realized that I would like to stay longer to immerse myself more deeply in the culture of the country. I was looking for an organization which is engaged in Health Promotion and I got in touch with Saulo from Con Corazón. The communication was easy and friendly, so just 3 days later, I joined the team for the first time to go to Marampaqui - my first incredible experience there! Two times a month the whole team takes a 3-4 hour drive (one way) to reach the village Marampaqui - with very less infrastructure - to provide dental and medical support there. I was able to get an idea of the great work being done there and I was able to help with the documentation of treatments and health promotion in the form of health talks.
The biggest challenge but also the greatest achievement for me was giving small "charlas" - like short health talks - in two schools. I'm very grateful that Con Corazón gave me the opportunity to talk to the students from grades 1 to 6 about the importance of healthy nutrition and hand hygiene.
How did I get there?
In my first week at Con Corazón, I was able to join one of the dentists talking to the students about the importance and the correct way of brushing their teeth. As a teacher for health education, I would have been more than able to support Con Corazón with all sorts of Health Promotion, but my Spanish was very basic at this moment that's why I didn't dare doing the talks on my own. But - just one and a half weeks later - my Spanish improved and my confidence increased, so I did my first own charla! Saulo supported and pushed me to do this - and I'm more than happy that he trusted in me! It was a great and valuable experience - I guess for both sides, the students and me.
I also really enjoyed the daily work in the dental clinic assisting the dentists. Here too, the first week was a challenge, as I was not familiar with the specific terms used in dental treatment - especially not in Spanish.
But I learned quickly and in the second week I was able to support one of the dentists at the dental campaign on my own. This was another great experience. Con Corazón organized a great campaign with several dentists to treat a large number of students coming from poor families at the same time.
As a teacher for health education, it was amazing to see how health promotion can be realized in different projects - with a lot of passion and with heart!
Thanks to all the people from Con Corazón who integrated me so well! From the beginning to the end I felt like a part of the team!
Michaela
August 2024