Marleen in the women's shelter - Interview about work in the heights of Cusco

Marleen was first on an organic farm in Ecuador. The experience report can be found here: http://www.rainbowgardenvillage.com/magazin/marleen-erzaehlt-von-der-nachhaltigen-farmarbeit

RGV: You were with Rainbow Garden Village in the women's shelter in Cusco - what is your conclusion?

Marleen: My 4-week assignment at the Women's Home in Cusco began on the 27. March 2017. You work around four hours a day and there is one shift in the morning, then lunch and then a second shift for the afternoon. With me many other volunteers from all nations and age groups were there and they quickly found a connection. The people were very nice and open. The young mothers have taken me very quickly and included in their lives. I used to work most mornings and spend the entire four weeks with the youngest children, some of whom were just born fresh and the elders were around 4 years old.

RGV: What was one of the tasks?

Marleen: The children had to be wrapped and cleaned, fed and put to sleep. Of course we also played a lot and were outside in the garden. At first I thought that the four hours of work would not be very exhausting, but then I quickly realized how energy-consuming the work is, even if it is a lot of fun and the kids are just great.

"At first I felt a little lost."

RGV: How was the organization in the project?

Marleen: The project was very well organized. At the end of the week, there was always a new layering schedule, and you always knew when to work with whom. However, at first I felt a little lost, because I had been shown only briefly the building and then dumped myself in the group with the small children without further information. I then had to ask everything about the other volunteers instead of just explaining and explaining a few things to me.

RGV: Of course it should work better! We gratefully accept this information from you and will speak to the team in the women's shelter about it. Were there any other problematic or complicated situations? Was the Rainbow Garden Village team able to help you?

Marleen: There were no problematic or complicated situations during my time there, and if I had any questions about the work, I was always able to openly turn to employees such as Carmen or Jose. Otherwise, the Rainbow Garden Village team was always available, answered my questions and helped me, for example, when I was ill or I got a Peruvian SIM card.  

With coca tea and sweets against the mountain air  

RGV: What tips do you have for volunteers traveling to Ecuador or Peru?

Marleen: Well, of course it always depends on the project. Depending on the project, good to very good Spanish skills really make sense, and in the women's shelter it would not have gone without good Spanish. Otherwise, you should inform yourself, how the altitude and the climate are on site. For example, if you want to visit the farm in Ecuador, you should definitely bring skinny, long-sleeved shirts and a flashlight.

RGV: What else is there to consider?

Marleen: In the women's shelter in Cusco, some had to deal with the height pretty much. Right from the beginning I drank coca tea every day and sucked the sweets, which are sold everywhere and I was fine with it. What I presuppose when deciding to volunteer abroad is openness, initiative, interest and tolerance towards the other people in the project, but also the locals. Anyone who has stuck opinions, is unwilling to change his view of the world and can not approach others and accept their views, will find it very difficult in the projects.

Guinea pig and pisco sour

RGV: What should you have tried out there?

Marleen: So in Ecuador you should definitely have been on the equator line. If you're not vegetarian, like me, you should try Cuy (Guinea Pig). In Peru you should definitely visit Machu Picchu, spend a few days in beautiful Cusco and try Pisco Sour!

RGV: Is there something you should not do?

Marleen: Something you should not do? Being caught with drugs is a very bad idea! Drinking alcohol in public should also be avoided. And also the 90 days, for which you do not need a visa, you really should not exceed. In most cities you should not run around alone in the dark, but otherwise I can not think of anything you should not do.

RGV: How did your Spanish language skills develop?

Marleen: My Spanish skills are pretty good meanwhile. I've been to South America for a total of four months and have learned a great deal on my travels through the countries. The first two months were pretty bumpy, but at the women's shelter I quickly made a lot of progress and after about three months I was able to talk and express myself without any problems.

"I had to deal with Germany's rigid structure and inflexibility again."

RGV: How was your way back?

Marleen: My way back to Germany was very exhausting and I was really happy when I finally landed in Frankfurt. As my flight was overbooked, I had to wait one full day for the next one, spent hours at the airport waiting, and since my connecting flight was two hours late, the return trip was really exhausting.

RGV: And how does it feel to be back home?

Marleen: I was looking forward to my family and friends, but it took a while for me to come to terms with the time change and Germany's rigid structure and inflexibility.

RGV: What did you have to get used to again? And what do you miss?

Marleen: Most of all, I miss the many colorful fruits and fresh juices. And I miss avocados. They are also available here, but they are expensive and do not taste too much. I miss the mentality, the beautiful landscapes, the music, the Spanish language ... I really enjoyed South America and it was certainly not the last time I visited this continent.

"To run the women's refuge in this way would not be possible without the help of the volunteers."

RGV: Do you now see Ecuador, Peru and Latin America with different eyes? Which of your expectations from the countries have been fulfilled? What surprised you?

Marleen: I had few expectations and expectations from the countries when I flew over. I know many South Americans from my studies and it has often been difficult for me to understand their mentality and their openness. Ecuador surprised me because the country is amazingly well developed and I would have expected much less progress. Peru has more than met my expectations. I was surprised and impressed by the diversity of the countries. Both Ecuador and Peru have an incredibly wide range of different landscapes and cultures and I have underestimated the gigantic proportions of the Andes.

RGV: Would you participate again in a volunteer service? If so, what would you do differently?

Marleen: I did volunteer service before Rainbow Garden Village and I would do it again and also with Rainbow Garden Village. I wouldn't change much about it. What is always very important to me personally is learning the respective language, being in contact with the locals and doing something meaningful, which I particularly liked about the Rainbow Garden Village projects.

RGV: From your point of view, do the projects contribute in a meaningful way to improving the situation on the ground? Did you feel that your mission is useful?

Marleen: Accordingly, my answer is: Yes, I think the projects contribute in a meaningful way to improving the situation on site. This applies above all to the work in the women's shelter. Running the facility in this way would not be possible without the help of the volunteers and I am very happy that I decided to do this project.