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As always, there are plenty of events going on in Peru. Zapallal - Sharing the Struggle is a charity set up by Delia and Michael in the 1990s. They are always hugely grateful for donations: if you can spare anything, please do (details of how to donate are at the bottom of this page).

I’m writing this on a hot, sunny afternoon, with people complaining about the heat. Somewhat different, I feel, from the conditions readers in the UK are experiencing at the moment. If there are no problems with my flight on 23rd I will be in for quite a temperature change.

It has been a fairly busy month. We ended the month of English with the Festival of English. There were songs, sketches, a fashion show in clothes made from recyclable materials, finals of the spelling contest and winners of the crossword competition. The 5th year gave a very good rendering of the “Lord of the Dance”.
A few days later the 5th year gave their farewell assembly to the school. I think for some it finally brought home to them that school really was finishing.

Later in the day the 5th again took centre stage when they conducted the elections for the municipio escolar (school council). The elections were run exactly as the presidential elections. There were identity documents, voting slips and booths and when the slip had been deposited in the ballot box, there were signatures, fingerprint and the dyeing of the middle finger as proof of voting (below left). There were three parties and previously they had been given opportunity, in the presence of the secondary pupils, to put forward their manifesto and answer questions. The winner was JUVNE – Jóvenes unidos valorando nuestro esfuerzo . So Katia Díaz is now the alcaldesa (mayor) for the year 2011, the testing time for all the promises.

We had over 120 young people from our four Lima schools in school overnight as they got to know one another before going the next day to four very poor areas. This was part of NANIPO (Navidad del Niño Pobre – Christmas for the poor child). They distributed about 1000 presents, organised games and ended with the traditional chocolatada – hot chocolate and paneton. All involved thought it was very worthwhile, though very tiring. We’ll be having a chocolatada on 22nd for the poor children of our area and the staff will have theirs. From a personal point of view I always find the hot chocolate is not really hot!

Our pastoral group, pupils from all years of secondary school, who are involved in many activities, had a combined retreat and camp on a nearby beach. Again, all seemed pleased with the experience. The pupils in our bakery workshop were treated to a talk by Renato Flores a famous chef in this part of the world. He talked about all that was involved if the pupils wanted to continue in the profession and gave lots of hints. The pupils really appreciated his talk and his easy manner. Who knows? One day, one of them may return to school to return the compliment.

18th saw the end of the former pupils’ football and volleyball competitions. The outcome was not known until the last two matches. Finally 2003 were football champions, 2002 volleyball and 2001 overall champions. It had been a very well organised competition and despite the fierce rivalry on pitch or court, there was a great spirit of friendship.

On 22nd the 5th year will have their Leavers’ fiesta. Money will be borrowed, dresses and suits hired (very cheaply here). There will be queues in the hairdressers. If it is like other years , it will be a colourful, emotional and pleasant occasion with dancing till, as they say here, the ultimate consequences. I have been asked to be padrino, (godfather) which is quite an honour so I spent quite a time in Lima looking for nice crosses as a gift for each. They will see the downside when they have to listen to my speech!

The staff have from 23rd to 26th free and then back to school for meetings, documentation etc. with the closing of the school year on 29th. This does not cause any problems here as Christmas celebrations are very limited. Presents will be few. Chicken with rice will be the main meal for most but they do make it a family occasion. At this time of the year they can very easily identify with another poor Family who knew what it was like to go without.
I wish all of you every blessing for this wonderful season, especially love, happiness and peace in yourselves and your families.

God bless. Mark

If you'd like to make a donation, please send a cheque, payable to Zapallal Sharing the Struggle Ltd, to NC Internet Ltd, PO Box 1124, Knaphill GU21 9AA; there is no minimum amount. Alternatively, if you'd like more information, or if you want to set up a standing order, please contact one of our team, Lynda, on lynda@deliaonline.com - Lynda has visited the school and knows that every penny you donate will help to make a real difference.

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