Week at-a-glance Part 2

  Friday (4th):  Sad morning.  An older woman came in with her 13 year old son and 8 year old granddaughter.  It seems that she walked in on her son in his room with the girl and he wasn’t wearing pants.  She was so upset and it was such a horrible situation and both she and her son were crying a lot and the little girl seemed oblivious to what was going on.  Rosario saw them all separately and had asked me to leave while she talked with the boy.  I sat outside with the mom and her granddaughter who was so precocious and darling.  She wanted me to teach her some English and we had a lovely conversation about her favorite foods.  I went back in when Rosario talked to the girl.  She said that her uncle (the boy) hadn’t touched her at all, but then drew an unusual drawing (which Rosario asks all the kids to do) and included the boy and herself in it (she was asked to draw just one person).  Rosario told me after they left that the son had scored very high on the depression questionnaire and had also admitted to hearing voices with some regularity. The family is supposed to come back next Saturday.  I don’t know how this would be handled in the states, but it seemed that waiting over a week to reconvene is asking for something else to happen.  I feel so awful knowing about the whole thing and that the son is so clearly ill and the little girl is still in the house with him.  Also, the mother/grandmother said that the son still sleeps with her and touches her breasts and there are so many extremely unhealthy boundary issues in the household I can’t see the mother being able to accurately monitor her son’s behavior.  Obviously these things happen in the states, but being privy to the information first-hand is entirely new and overwhelming.
  On a happier note, the volunteers (including the new ones) came over to Jenny’s house for a 4th of July celebration.  I only stayed briefly as I had been previously invited to the Rabbi’s house for dinner, but I was able to meet up with everyone afterwards.  The new people seem really nice and friendly and two will be working at Tupac with me, so hopefully between them, Annie, and me we can figure out something productive to do!
  Saturday (5th):  Annie, Danielle, and I met for lunch at Larcomar in Miraflores.  It was a BEAUTFUL day out and there was sun and it was warm and we lay in the grass and chatted for a long while which was lovely.  I also exchanged some money and after attempting a few purchases realized that it was counterfeit (and not a very good copy either).  So now I know what to look for and it was only $20, but I was still really surprised that this would actually happen.  When I make purchases over 10 soles, the vendor checks the bill but I’ve always felt rude doing that when people give me change.  I think I won’t anymore.  
  Later in the afternoon, I met up with Rodrigo and Fernando to help Fernando move into his new apartment (they may have become friends with me for this purpose).  People here (and in most parts of South America) tend to live at home until they marry or get a job far away.  It was fun to be able to show these 28 year old adults what they should buy and how to do laundry(!) and the dishes.  As thanks, Fernando said that I could invite the volunteers over for a party, so it seemed to be a good exchange.
  Sunday (6th):  Wow, I’m all caught up!  Today has been really low key and it’s been nice to rest a while as this week was quite draining.  On Tuesday I go to the school again with Rosario to help her (or watch her) teach the kids about domestic abuse.  In the afternoon, Jenny will take me to her old school so I can start working there too.  This week, I’ll try and keep this better updated so I can avoid these monstrous posts, but keep sending your thoughts, I love to hear them!