Freshwater director’s life-changing Peru trip

When Freshwater’s HR director, Sarah Whittle, travelled to Peru with her family she hoped a volunteering stint with a volunteer-run children’s project may help change some young lives. In the end, it changed hers too.

In July this year, Freshwater’s HR director, Sarah Whittle, travelled to Peru with her husband, Mark, and 17-year-old daughter, Amy, for a family holiday with a difference.

While the trio did the usual tourist activities, they also spent three days with a volunteer-led group that provides free childcare, education and hot meals to children aged three to seven in the south-eastern city of Cusco.

Peru may be experiencing an economic boom, but unemployment and poverty in the country remain a challenge. Primary and secondary school education is free but, as it starts at the age of seven, working parents still need to secure childcare for younger children – something not all families can afford.

That’s where ‘Street Children Project’ comes in. A 30-minute taxi drive from the tourist area, the initiative supports children aged three to seven who would otherwise be locked at home unsupervised while their parents go to work.

“We spent time with the children, playing games, making bracelets and wristbands, painting and glueing, singing, counting and helping them with their meals,” said Sarah. “We even had the opportunity to give them an introduction to playing hockey, which we all loved.”

Thanks to the fundraising efforts of her colleagues at Freshwater and a company contribution, Sarah was able to make a donation to the project and was able to purchase toys, stationery, sport and musical equipment, as well as books and games for the children.

“The project organisers told us that while they do occasionally get cash donations, it is rare to receive financial support and for individuals to give their time,” Sarah said.

“The volunteer leading the group was so grateful and we received the warmest of welcomes from all of the children, who were happy and full of fun despite their circumstances. They were kind and caring towards each other, demonstrating absolute respect for each other, their teachers and us.”

Reflecting on the experience several weeks later, Sarah says the trip has led to new friendships, inspired her family to volunteer more regularly and given them a renewed sense of perspective on what they believe is important.

“On our last day, some of the children stood up to thank us for coming,” she said. “In Spanish, they told us we must never forget them and thanked us for teaching them to play new games and for the gifts.

“The irony was that before going to the project we had thought that we may, in some way, help to change their lives – if only a little. But, our lives have changed massively as a result.”