On and Off the Field

Let me catch you up to date with the latest of Maggie's visit, that has now ended. This past weekend we had some time to play, run, relax after an intense week of work. Sunday soccer game - Peruvian and North American blood on the same team and field. Multicredit (our new and amazing Peruvian local partner) and Maggie and I (representing U.S.A. DHF) headed out midday on Sunday for international sports day in the campo/countryside. We let loose and played some hardcore soccer, volleyball and shared many spirited "cheers" as we drank beers under the shaded picnic tables. Walking today was a little painful, but the joy of coming together as a team, both on the soccer field and in the office, makes all the pain and work worth it.

Maggie is heads back to DHF headquarters today and leaves us - the field workers - with the enormous task of changing the lives of poor women in and around Cajamarca. I can say with full confidence that our team is ready to do just that. We had a full and powerful week of prep for our work ahead of us. Our time together with Maggie was spent not only mapping out the work plan for village banking and development classes, but also getting to know our fellow "teammates" and their strengths and ideas. It is an uplifting and powerful thing to connect with co-workers in a deep and personal space. It creates a work path that is so much more meaningful and supportive, thus allowing amazing changes and ideas to take shape.

Our last activity together before Maggie left on the early bird flight this morning, was a village banking repayment meeting yesterday. It was so amazing for the 2nd time in a row this past week to watch a completely successful women-run bank meeting. Women leaders gathered round with soft, yet firm, instruction from Elizabeth (our awesome bank officer) running their own repayment. Dirt floor, sunlight streaming in, little dirty faces running in and out.... There was a missing .40 cents that was somehow recovered, saving accounts that were misunderstood, and group decision being made....it was all figured out.
Pride, Joy, Team.
On and Off the Field.