The Start of English Classes

This week was the first week of English classes being taught in Huaycan. Two interns, Diana and Annie, will be going to this certain school every Tuesday and Thursday to teach ages 3 to 12 years. Yep, that's pre-school through 6th grade!

The road to the school is dirt, like the majority of roads in Huaycan, and Diana and Annie arrive there together with an employee, Erasmo in his thirty-year-old Volkswagen bug.

The rural are of Huaycan may be considered "slums" of outer Lima. The conditions are less than unsanitary. There are many a dirt-floor, and so many diseased animals hanging out in the same places where the children play; this creates large amounts of disease which lead to learning disabilities and stunting of growth.

Another unfortunate aspect of the climate, which is very much a desert (The Lima area gets less than 3 inches of rainfall per year) is that farming is difficult, and healthy food more expensive- resulting in poor nutrition for the citizens here.
There are so many in need in this area, and it is unfortunately not "pretty" enough for many expeditioners to want to come here and help. But after visiting the schools and day-care facilities that ASCEND has helped to build, one can feel the spirit of these people, realize the need, and have a new willingness and desire to give aid here.

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The students are enthralled by the Ascend interns, and constantly ask them how to say their names, and other nouns in English. Recess on the first day was a crowd of students around the interns. Don't forget to wash your hands!

The younger ages 3 years, up to second grade, are harder to control and get to pay attention- they also have a harder time memorizing the English words, but they're super CUTE!

Grades 3 to 6 have a much easier time learning and repeating English words. Sixth grade is even learning conversation dialogue, and doing a great job!

Diana and Annie will be teaching English at the school for two months, as a replacement for the other English teachers who have quit or found other jobs. With luck, another replacement English teacher will be found for the school after the interns have returned to the United States.