The Tall White Chick

WARNING: This may not be the most entertaining post, but it will give you a good idea of what I've been working on. I have to get up to date, so here it goes...

So yes, I am the tall white chick that people whisper about here. I've heard it a couple times. Not only do I stick out because I'm white, but also because I'm tall; much taller than Peruvians. Piura is not touristy at all so it is very rare to see white people walking around. People whistle and blow kisses at the girls in our group all the time. A man last week even asked if he could take a picture with me (after we watched his kids brake dancing in the street). He proceeded to point to the sky referencing to the fact that I was super tall. It just makes me laugh. At least I can make people happy, right? That's what I'm here for.

So I've been here for almost 2 weeks now and it blows my mind! We have done so much already which is why it has taken me so long to blog...no time! I've been trying to keep a journal, but let's be honest, there has never actually been a time in my life where I was consistent with a journal, and we all know I'm not going to be able to keep up with that AND a blog so I chose the blog as my first priority since they are pretty much the same thing but more fun. 

We're getting settled in all of our projects. Some of them haven't started yet, and some are still trying to get off the ground, but we've definitely made some progress. Here's what we have already done:

• We partnered up with the Liahona Foundation and held Health Screenings in Catacaos, Sechura, la Unión, and Castilla for local kids under the age of 5 and pregnant women. We will be doing this again either this weekend or next weekend in Ecuador! Boom. Add that to the list of places I've been! The Liahona Foundation is working to get an assistant in each of these areas to provide health plans for the kids and women as well as do follow ups with each family every so often to make sure they are staying healthy.
• We worked with the Red Cross and held a Health Clinic down the street from where we live. At the health clinic we did physical therapy, and taught the locals about Dengue Fever, which comes from mosquitos and is very prevalent in the area. Some of the adults were actually frustrated that the government hadn't told them anything about it, only tested them, so they were very grateful that we were willing to help their community and advise them about the dangers of this disease. 
• We have started teaching English, Piano, and Zumba at an LDS Stake Building nearby! We weren't exactly sure what to expect attendance wise the first couple classes, but to our surprise, attendance has been awesome! We do this every T/Th evening. I have really enjoyed teaching so far because it forces me to practice my Spanish more. The student are super fast learners and are so excited to work with us!

We've got some amazing things going on so far, and many more new projects starting this week! I'm loving it here and look forward to the next 2 1/2 months. Days have been flying by! Here's my review in photos:

The English Institution where we will be helping at starting in June.
(separate from the classes in the church)

These kids live in a small pueblo called Noe which is basically in the middle of
nowhere. They never see white people and some even cried when they saw us.

In awe of Cecilia's cell phone.

El  Parque Ecológico de la Urbanización

Red Cross Health Clinic

Isn't he adorable?? One of the boys at the Health Screenings with the
Liahona Foundation in Sechura.

Weekend dancing crew.

A small restaurant/house where we ate after purchasing pottery in Chulucanas.

Something I love about Peru is that each city we've been to is extremely different even though they are relatively close to each other. So here are some of my favorite photos solely to show to beauty of Peru:

Not a great photo but this is the street we live on.

On the drive to Chulucanas.

A beach near Paita.

This is a common sight in a lot of places we've been to.

Paita, a great spot for fishing!

Found a lucky seahorse on the beach! Apparently people search their whole lives
for these because they bring you the best luck.

As always, if you would like to donate towards the projects we are currently working on, it is much appreciated! The people here are extremely appreciative towards our efforts to help them and I can promise your donation is going to good use! Click Here and make sure you select "Support a Volunteer or Intern" and put "Zoe Theobald" in the memo line like the photo below! 

If you prefer not to donate online, you can also mail in a check to the following address and make sure you designate it as well or else donations will be sent to other locations:

455 North University Parkway

Provo, Utah 84606

Chao!