My Volunteer Trip to Chaclacayo, Peru

Living in Chaclacayo had been one of the best months of my life. I was blessed with the opportunity to become friends with the strongest, most resilient little people. During my time in Chaclacayo, I worked in the Hogar San Francisco de Asis, a home for destitute, sick children in Peru and around the Lima area. The home was founded by Dr. Anthony Lazzara in the 1980's and has been taking in children since then. I was introduced to the home and its mission by a family friend and I am so glad for her recommendation to come work in this house. I have made amazing relationships with the children and staff that I hope will continue until the next time I have the opportunity to volunteer at the Hogar again.

Every day, I learned a little more about all the children. I got the chance to play with them, laugh with them, hug them, and love them until they couldn't take it anymore. In the beginning, helping take care of 33 children was a very heavy burden for a 21-year old but as I became more comfortable with the job, it became extremely fun and exciting. We would take the children to the park, walk them to church, play games in the back patio, etc. Once my time came to leave the home, I found that all the things that I had come to dread about Lima, Peru soon disappeared. I would gladly live in the small, overpopulated, dirty city of Lima to get the chance to care for these children again.

If you would like to learn more about the home, visit http://www.villalapazfoundation.org. Villa La Paz is the foundation started by Dr. Anthony and his family to help support the medical care, housing, appointments, medical equipment, meals, and transportation while the children live in the house. The Hogar home solely depends on donations to the Villa La Paz Foundation to support the children and pay the staff that care for them. The children live in the home completely free while they get medical care, await surgery, or go to therapy appointments. Your donations are always welcome, they accept donations via Paypal on the Villa La Paz home page, or by mail (address on the webpage). If you are interested in volunteering, please visit http://www.villalapazfoundation.org/information-for-volunteers/ for more information. I would love to answer any questions you have as well if you are interested in donating money or your time.

Enjoy my photos of the home! Especially Blanca's selfies (;

- Nicole

Jose's Communion:

Sweet Josh (even though he looks mad, he loves everyone:

Edson:

Tatianna:

Lisbeth:

Me and Tatianna:

Carla and Lisbeth:

Me and Blanca:

Karol:

Eolinka:

Jose, Josue, and Alexis playing in the patio:

Alexis:

Josue:

Jose:

Carla & Lotti, volunteers at the Hogar:

Lotti and her favorite mural in Chaclacayo:

Me, Carla, Vittoria, Lotti:

Saying farewell to Carla and Lotti:

Photobomb by Luis Caranza:

Taking the babies on a walk:

Vittoria and Blanca:

Nestor (Hogar Staff), me, and Vittoria at the Mercado in Chosica:

Me and Ana Lucero:

Ana Lucero and Ana Flor:

Vittoria holding Edson, Josh, and Blanca:

Sweet Tatianna:

Me and Tatianna:

Vittoria and Christopher:

Vittoria and Jose:

Graciela and Lisbeth at the hospital:

Percy, me, and Bresni:

Volunteers, staff, and Doctor Tony at his celebration dinner. The doctor was awarded the Integretas Vitae for his amazing work at the home and his dedication for helping the children.