Cusco Revisited

Learning Spanish and trekking the Inca Trail - all in a good cause!

Two weeks to do something interesting, educational and worthwhile...

This was the brief that my 13 year old daughter, Abi, was given by her Headmaster as a special concession for passing her exams earlier in the school year. Abi had always wanted to learn Spanish so we started to think of South America...

My husband Martin and I had taken a Journey Latin America Colibri group tour 21 years previously with Brian Williams and had kept in touch ever since. We spoke to Brian about this opportunity and he told us about Kiya Survivors, a Peruvian charity that builds and runs schools for special needs children. It also helps their families, where possible. Founded in 1998, it is run by Suzy Butler, an English woman, who has spent many years helping underprivileged children.

With this in mind, and the help of Elena (a consultant in Journey Latin America’s Bespoke department), Journey Latin America put together a great trip for Abi and me to Peru.

So, on the 3rd of May 2003, we set off for Lima. After one night in the capital, we flew on to Cusco, to spend our first week learning Spanish at a language school there. We opted to stay with a local family (home-stay) for total immersion, which was so much nicer for us than staying in a hotel. Once the week’s course was over, we stayed three nights at the Hotel Monasterio, a beautifully converted 17th century convent, with plenty of time to explore the city and it’s nearby Inca ruins.

Elena then made all the arrangements for us to trek the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu - four magical days and three nights’ camping, with a local guide and porters. After one night at the Hotel Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, located right next to the ruins, we returned to Cusco for our last night before flying home, via Lima.

Before we left for Peru, we had found out as much as we could about Kiya Survivors and then Abi set about producing an appeal letter, asking at school and among friends and neighbours for sponsorship. She was overwhelmed by the response and having completed the Inca Trail (with Mum struggling behind!), she was able to hand deliver a cheque for £5000 to Daryn Billing, the co-ordinator of Kiya’s Rainbow Centre school in Urubamba.

We were very impressed with this newly constructed centre and its organisation. It is fortunate to have excellent staff - 2 special needs teachers, a psychiatrist, and a good team of volunteers who support the work of the teachers. The children, who have to cope with some sort of handicap - Downs, blindness, autism, abuse, neglect - were lovely. Our visit to the Rainbow Centre was such a happy occasion, with us being introduced to every child and member of staff. We had such fun playing games and joining in little Rosemary’s birthday party.

I find it amazing that a centre like this has come about through the energy and foresight of one woman. Suzy Butler is now raising funds for a new centre in the north of Peru. I would fully endorse the work of this charity. For anyone wanting to know more, their website is www.kiyasurvivors.org

Going on this trip with my daughter was such an unexpected bonus in life. Dragged away from my three other children and husband, I had forgotten how much fun it is to travel. We met such interesting people, learnt so much about the fascinating history of the Incas, camped in the splendour of the Andes, saw the early morning sun illuminating Machu Picchu - and generally were in situations so different to home.

To be perfectly honest though the best part was to be able to give something back. I hope my daughter will remember it in the same way.

Judith

Our adventure in Peru - the trip of a lifetime.

It began in Cusco at a Spanish school where we had a really kind teacher called Rocio. She taught Mum and I so much (in only a week!). We went to salsa classes, which were so much fun, and toured the city. We stayed with a lovely family in an interesting area of town.

Then after our week with the family, we set off on the Inca Trail. The first day was quite challenging, however we had a very good guide, Cesar, who kept us well informed all along the way. He chose beautiful places to camp with amazing views. As we walked the miles we kept meeting new people who were all really fun to be with. The main aim of our trip was to help people in some way and by completing the Inca Trail I raised a sum of £5,000 for the Rainbow Centre in Urubamba. We spent an enjoyable day at the Centre chatting to the sweet little children and everyone was so kind.

A few days afterwards we received two beautiful hand-made cards from the children, which I will treasure forever. Hopefully, when I am older I will be able to go back and help out there, and learn more about them (and improve my Spanish!)

Abi