Peru Immersion Experience

Peru: Life On The Hill, Elizabeth Dellinger, January 2013

 

This past January, a group of twelve traveled to Peru to embark on a life-changing experience. Although this was a planned mission trip, it actually was an immersion trip.  Immersion is defined as involving oneself deeply in a particular experience. Our team traveled to a district of Lima, Peru named San Juan de Lurigancho where we specifically lived and served in the Canto-Grande neighborhood. Our ‘home base’ was the school, Fe y Alegria No. 26, where we ate, slept and worked with the local children. Our service was to the entire community, not just the kids.

The communities are divided up by hills-- this is how they identify where their home is located. It is called a ‘hill’, but it is more like a mountain with the steep incline, loose dirt and multitude of rocks all shapes and sizes. The hills are sometimes named, sometimes not and have a makeshift numbering system for the different divisions among the hill. These are their addresses. A daunting number of cement stairs with brightly painted yellow railings run from the bottom of the hill to the top- or as far as they have built them serving as different division points as well as reference points for the locals. The specific community that we had the opportunity to become a part of for 10 days was the Hill named El Misti, which is named after a volcano in Peru.

 

The conditions of the hills are shocking. I remember turning to Brian, one of the twelve, after walking the kids home one evening, and saying “It looks like a war zone. It is as if it is the aftermath of a bombing and huge tanks just came rolling through the debris. And they are just living within the rubble”.

 

I will never forget the determination and strength of the community both physically and mentally. I will always remember watching the entire community pull together to build a house in 5 hours and seeing that same community celebrate a little girl’s birthday with a feast of goodies to drool over. You can’t describe the generosity of a family that gives you and your group their last four bananas to share due to their customs, no matter that they only eat one full meal a day.

 

The school’s name, Fe y Alegria translates to “faith and joy”. Let us find the lost faith in humanity and lost joy within ourselves.

 

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Go New Ro 2013: Get to Know the Leaders!

                                                                                                                 

Name: Areini Arzu

Birthday: November 6th

Involvement: 

President of Students of Caribbean Ancestry, National Student Speech & Hearing Language Association Club, CSTEP, Edmund Rice Society, The College Council for Diversity, UPA 13'-14'

Hobbies: Running, Nature Walks, and Shopping

Why do you participate in Go New Ro?
I was apart of the first Go New Ro here at Iona, and it had such a great impact on both my involvement and spiritual growth here on campus. I was introduced to both service projects and great friends. I met my roommates at Go New Ro, I went on my first midnight run and I was able to tour the town on New Rochelle. I’m very excited to be apart of this journey again with the new coming participants.

Favorite Thing About Iona?
Thanksgiving Day Parade in New Rochelle.

Favorite Iona Tradition?
Culture Feast during Weeks of Welcome, all the diversity come together with food and music.

Favorite Thing To Do in New Rochelle?
I like to eat at Applebees, (which is on the meal card) then go watch a movie in New Roc City; it’s very fun with a group of friends.

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Go New Ro 2013: Get to Know the Leaders!

Name: Michele Nelson                                                                          

Birthday:  March 8th 

Position at Iona:  

Director of Off-Campus Housing

Hobbies: 

Dancing, listening to music, and trying to cook new recipes...I emphasize trying!

Why do you participate in Go New Ro?

This will be my fourth Iona in Mission: Go New Ro!  I have participated each year because my office is focused on helping students transition successfully as citizens into the greater New Rochelle community.  Go New Ro helps nurture young student leaders who understand their rights as members of a community and their responsibility to give back!  I also love showing incoming students all that makes New Rochelle so special!

Favorite Thing about Iona?

My favorite thing about Iona is all of the amazing professionals that I work with who love to help students succeed at Iona and in life!  It’s a wonderful, collaborative environment. 

Favorite Iona Tradition?

Aside from Go New Ro....I love Make a Difference Week…an annual week of service early in the fall semester!

Favorite Thing to do in New Rochelle?

I love going for walks by Glen Island, a beautiful Westchester County park that is right on the Long Island Sound.  As a matter of fact, I love all of our parks along the water including Hudson Park and Five Islands Park!  

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Go New Ro 2013: Get to Know the Leaders!

Name:  Kate Ann Gonta                                                 

Birthday: April 13^th

Position at Iona: Go-New-Ro Student Leader

Hobbies: Listening to music, Reading books, taking Road Trips and I may be slightly addicted to Candy Crush =)

Why do you participate in Go New Ro?  I participated in Go New Ro the summer coming into my freshman year at Iona because I wanted to get involved at Iona as quickly as possible.  I’m so happy I was a part of this great program.  It was so beneficial to me because I met two girls who would not only turn out to me my freshman year roommates but also my best friends.  I also helped the less fortunate and I learned how it felt to become part of a team.  I wanted to lead Go New Ro this summer because I can’t wait to welcome the incoming freshman and be a role model to them.  I’m looking forward to being able to welcome them to the Iona community and become a family.   I hope to give them the same experience that I had while participating in Go-New-Ro. 

Favorite Thing about Iona? Without a doubt the Pipe Band!

Favorite Iona Tradition?  Coffee House hosted by Mission & Ministry every semester!

Favorite Thing to do in New Rochelle? I love to go to Glen Island.  It is a great place to walk around and just relax.  It also has a great view of the long Island sound!

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