Video: BHS Students Return From Peru Mission
Last night [Apr.11] a group of BHS students returned to Bermuda after spending time in Peru working to assist the local residents.
The students raised funds in advance to provide the materials [stone, sand, cement, wood, plants etc], as well as the tools and equipment for both project areas.
The twenty four girls and one boy dug holes for fruit trees on the side of the mountain, cleared and flattened land for vegetable gardens, chicken and guinea pig houses for the children to have fresh food in the high Andes.
The students are pictured below in Peru working:
In the shanty town of Las Palmas outside Lima; they moved a large amount of stone, dug foundations, mixed and poured the concrete for a bakery room in the school, and made the area of land for the children to play safe.
Their busy schedule also saw them clear the wooden shuttering and scaffolding from the nursery building to enable the second floor classrooms to be constructed.
The students are pictured below on their arrival at LF Wade last night:
A school spokesperson thanked everyone saying, “Especially to Miss Tenorio for her much needed daily translations and frequent trips to the hospital and clinics with the students.
“Mr Okemo for the well produced student daily blog, sometimes taking him well after room checks and bed time, as well as his strength mixing concrete, moving stones, pushing wheelbarrows and wielding a sledge hammer!
“To Mrs Clifford for her nursing skills, photographic prowess and sense of humour in times of stress at the end of the working day, rallying students to move another 10 rocks and not to mention her climb to the very top of Machu Picchu. I must also mention two Markham students Alex Issa and Alex Hu who joined us each day in Lima and worked throughout with us.
Quick video with the students after they arrived home last night:
“Then to all of you , the parents, who worked tirelessly to fund raise to make the project happen, to the hundreds of shoppers who gave their cash at the bag packing events at Lindos and Miles supermarkets, the raffle, to BGA for the sunscreen, and to many to mention anonymous donations.
“To the Department of Tourism whose feel the love bags filled with donation goodies brought smiles and tears to the faces of the twenty 6 to 12 year old boarding students up in the mountains. The bracelets which are now being worn by the future Peruvian football stars after our unexpected entry into the 7 a-side football tournament, which became an international broadcast on Peru’s radio station.
Some of the BHS students, along with students from Peru:
“BHS unfortunately did not win but played their hearts out. The locals were amazed that the girls not only knew about football/ soccer but could really play!
“The students and staff of Bermuda High School touched the hearts and minds of many children and adults of Lima and Lucre and I know these people have also changed our students and hopefully made them realise they can make a difference. Students you did us proud, thank you!”
- Photos from Peru are courtesy of the students Tumblr blog, many more photos and daily reports from the trip are available on the blog PeruTrip2012.tumblr.com.
Well done BHS students. I really enjoyed your Blog. I am looking forward to your next adventures
Love from a proud Grandma xxx
Thank you for doing BERMUDA PROUD !