More goodbyes

It's rather quiet in the house at the moment as there are only 6 volunteers here now! Mary and Ina left a few weeks ago, followed by Matt and Andrea, Angie, then Sarita - if any of you are reading this blog, then it was good to meet you, and I hope you're all well and enjoying life wherever you are! And this weekend we lost Gillian and Shelley, 2 lovely volunteers from my original group. I am feeling bereft as I no longer have my room-mate, Gillian, and it's all gone a bit too quiet!

Gillian and Shelley did some fantastic work at the high-security prison, working with the women prisoners, helping them to market their crafts more effectively to make more money to support their families. And they also created an action plan for improving conditions in the prison, designing a mural, building up the library and raising money for books, and trying to re-establish the Wawa Wasi - children under the age of 4 stay in prison with their mothers. They also organised a sale of the women's crafts, setting up a stall in the city centre, and we all went along to help. Over 2,000 soles (about 400 pounds) were taken, which was fantastic.

Gillian and Shelley selling the prison crafts

Gillian also spent a lot of her time at the girls' orphanage, and helped us with the Yanamilla Primary School project - I am very grateful for all her enthusiasm, commitment, and help to get things moving.


Gillian & I - not enjoying having our photo taken!

And Gillian, very many thanks for the wonderful cake that arrived on Monday morning - such a lovely thought, and very delicious too! Please note that I'm wearing the T-shirt you left me, in your honour!!

The remaining CCS volunteers and a very large chocolate cake!

It won't be quiet for long though, as even though another 3 volunteers are leaving next weekend, there are 15 new recruits arriving on Sunday, and they'll all be here for Christmas as nobody stays for less than 2 weeks ... could be interesting!