Although it was quite important and historical, I don’t believe there was any Salsa dancing at Obama’s inauguration.  I think the Light and Leadership Initiative’s inauguration was a bit more fun.

We officially cut our red/white ribbon. It felt so good to do so.  Kids and parents came from Zone Z; Zone D neighbors came either to show support or simply out of curiosity; and Luz and Yrma’s family made a strong showing. Overall, I think we had about 30 people.  One of them is a firefighter and we were able to recruit him as a volunteer to teach First Aid and CPR. 

We started at 4:00.  The adults talked while the kids were excited to draw “something they loved.”  These kids are simply incredible—I never knew I liked kids so much until I came to Peru.  They are smart, willing to learn, and grateful for any experience that is different than their normal life in Zone Z.  Not to mention, they all seem to be incredibly photogenic. 

Most kids drew their family or the Andes Mountains.  Once they finished, they were all excited to put their masterpiece on the wall.  It was great to see.  Also, I think I’ve mastered nearly all their names.Then we cut the ribbon and took some amazing group photos outside.  My proudest moment for all of everyone involved with Light and Leadership was seeing our huge sign go up outside of our home in Zone D.  Now everyone who passes it in Zone D will see it.  It seriously is amazing and bigger than I ever could have imagined.  I can’t wait to show friends and family from home, when they come to visit….!

We tried to get all of us in a photo together in front of the sign, but it was too high up and we had so many people… so we settled for a smaller banner that we have as well. It turned out great.

After group photos, we had some amazing cake (I purchased from my favorite nun on 15 de Julio!) with the always favorite Inca Cola.  Entonces, bailamos.  We danced with the kids… somehow I kept getting pushed into the middle.  There were times that I looked around and realized everyone seemed to be watching Leslie, the other and most helpful volunteer, and me.  I imagine we, the gringas, provided more amusement dancing than the others. At one point, Yrma, a friend of our Yrma (LLI board member), grabbed me to teach me how to dance like they do in the mountains. It was hysterical; I never stopped laughing. 

I managed to make it through the entire time without tearing up, mostly because I was laughing, until Yrma, (the friend, not the board member), asked to say something before we all broke up to leave.  Her brief words were so thoughtful and inspiring.  She first spoke directly to the kids: encouraging them to take advantage of this incredible opportunity that has been presented to them and to learn as much as they possibly can.  Then she spoke directly to the volunteers, saying that the volunteers are a direct gift from God, that most have come so far to help a community that needs so much help and this can only be the work of a higher being.  She spoke with such passion, encouragement, and gratefulness.  It was very moving and unexpected, especially because she had never met any of us (us, being the volunteers) before.

And that was pretty much it. Tons of fun—lots of laughs, dancing, and general excitement.  Tomorrow… we begin classes!

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