Our first HOOP Hero!

Every so often, someone steps up and proves themself to be a real hero. At HOOP, this could be someone who has made sacrifices to personally help the Flora Tristán community, or someone who has gone to great lengths to support HOOP through fundraising or simply spreading the word about what we do here in Arequipa. So, to celebrate the heroic deeds of some of HOOP’s best and most dedicated supporters, we’re delighted to be launching our new HOOP Hero Award for people who have made significant contributions to the Flora Tristán community.

Our first winner is so awesome that if you gave him the power of flight, it would probably only be his fourth or fifth best superpower. He has made sacrifices in his medical career to set up HOOP as an official charity and has gone to remarkable lengths to help give the people of Flora Tristán better opportunities in life. He has even published a book to spread the word about HOOP in his home country (oh, with 100% of the profits supporting HOOP!).

I am of course talking about Li Shang-Ju from Taiwan. I don’t want to go into too much detail about all the great things Dr. Li has done, since (as such a great hero) he is super humble. Li has accomplished some inspiring feats for HOOP. He once sat outside San Fransisco church here in Arequipa writing down the names of HOOP’s kids in Mandarin on paper to raise awareness and donations from passers-by. He also hosted a Taiwanese camera crew in Flora Tristán to document his endeavors, and once travelled to Lima to seek support from the Taiwanese Embassy and a Taiwanese company, which is now donating a whole new building to Flora Tristán.

Fellow HOOP co-founder, Teresa recalls some of his other heroic deeds: “Li started the HOOP Scholarship Program and raised the money for it on his own. He would prepare and teach the first three scholarship students before and after school or even during the weekends to make sure they weren’t falling behind. If we couldn't solve a math problem, we would sometimes take it home, figure it out in the volunteer house and then Li would go to school in the early morning to explain it to one of our kids before their class started. No one is as respected and loved by the community as he is!”

As songwriting legend Bob Dylan once said, “A hero is someone who understands the responsibility that comes with freedom.” Li understands this and has shown it through his heroic powers of kindness, dedication and an infectiously positive attitude. So we are delighted to announce him as our very deserving and gracious recipient of the first award. Thanks, Li, you’re our HOOP Hero!

Volunteering = Happiness

All over the world, millions of people are working hard and giving their time for others - for free! Why? Well, they’re probably passionate about helping others, and they probably want to make a meaningful contribution to their community. But really, beneath these virtuous and benevolent motives, is a very simple equation: VOLUNTEERING = HAPPINESS.

Micha, from Austria - another happy HOOP volunteer!

There are tonnes of academic studies, including one from the brainy people at the London School of Economics, showing that people who volunteer are happier than people who don’t. And it’s got nothing to do with your personal background or how wealthy you are… simply, whoever you are, volunteering has the incredible power of making you happy!

What the research whizzes can’t work out though, is a scientific reason why volunteering should make you happy. So to help them out a bit, I asked some of HOOP’s friends from around the world why volunteering puts a smile on their face.

Julianne Ezra, from England (but an Arequipa resident of two years), thinks enjoying yourself is essential for volunteering. “Earning money is out of the equation so the focus is on enjoying the experience which immediately makes you a better volunteer - you're not just sharing skills, you're sharing happiness. And that's got to be the best thing about it, knowing you have positively affected someone else.”

Chris Kondas with Kenzie and the kids at Cancha time

Chris Kondas, from Ohio in the USA, is a bit of a volunteering veteran (which you can read about here), and volunteering makes him feel so good he feels bad! “Sometimes I feel guilty because I feel so good after doing volunteer work or something for someone who wasn’t expecting it. What you take from the deed is far greater than what you leave.” Well, that’s definitely going to vex the people at the London School of Economics when they read this. But I’ll be sure to give them Chris’ details so they can do some research on him. 

One of our local HOOPsters, Christian Collazons, thinks the happiness that comes from volunteering is simply a good feeling from helping someone else. “I really like HOOP’s slogan, ‘Breaking the cycle of poverty through education’. That’s the only way we can help people to live better lives.”

But there are big personal rewards to volunteering too, says Bianca Berti from Austria: “Helping kids learn English might give them a way out of poverty and it also enriches my own personality through working with the children and seeing their progress and also their struggles.” And our Program Director, Alison, agrees: “You give back and you’re rewarded when you see the difference you’re making with the kids, and how appreciative the families are that teachers come from all over the world to teach in their community. It’s very fulfilling!”

Carol Mitchell from England, who has years of volunteering experience (including setting up an NGO in Uganda!), says: “Volunteering tends to give you back a hundred times what you offer. It develops you, stretches you, relieves you and allows you to really experience things from other perspectives rather than just trying to imagine what life might be like for other people. And then you can translate your newfound experience into other areas of your life making them richer too… But you will never be a know-it-all no matter how long you volunteer, so it keeps teaching you new things all the time.”

If you’ve ever volunteered, you’ll know the happy feeling you get from being part of a valuable and meaningful experience. You’ll also know that you don’t need a PhD in psychology to understand the link between volunteering and happiness. It’s just a simple fact of life. So be happy. Volunteer J

Five Reasons Why Volunteering is the Best!

We volunteer first and foremost for the people, but let’s face it; the other benefits aren’t half bad. Volunteering can be an absolute life changer in a number of ways and here are just five of them.

The chance to learn a second language.

Volunteering in Arequipa means there are lots of opportunities to learn Spanish, a language which is desirable to a number of employers since it is the second most spoken language in the world. Oh and it’s also immensely rewarding to learn! You will be able to wow all your friends and family back home with your newfound skills.

Meeting people from all walks of life



You will make friendships and meet people that can change your life! Working alongside people from all ages, nationalities and walks of life is great for escaping from your comfort zone. HOOP is such a diverse NGO; we have had volunteers of all ages and nationalities and are proud to have received so much positive feedback from former volunteers.



 Meeting the kids of Flora Tristán is also such a breath of fresh air. Sometimes people back home take an education for granted, but the kids who turn up have such an enthusiasm for learning.

Two of our former volunteers who married in Flora Tristán! 

 

The chance to make a serious impact

We volunteer because the thought of helping someone else is truly rewarding. Giving your all to a community such as Flora Tristán and knowing you are making a difference is one of the best feelings in the world. Words can’t fully describe the experience, you just have to come and see it for yourself! The families’ appreciation is so sincere.

It’s a great opportunity to be an inspiration to children at an important time in their developments. We all have that one teacher who we remember as being particularly inspirational, this could be you!

Developing career skills



You can learn a number of things whilst working with HOOP that are great for putting on the CV. From helping with fundraisers, to assisting on the communications side; there are so many ways you can leave your mark with HOOP and wow potential employers with your Arequipa experiences. One of the really fun things to do here is participate in the pub quiz which can do wonders for people who might be looking to improve their public speaking.

HOOP volunteers at a previous fundraiser

Experiencing a new culture!

It’s so much fun to wake up somewhere each day that is completely different to home. Each experience is new and exciting and will stick with you forever. You also get the chance to try lots of exotic new foods, fruits, drinks that you have never before had access to! If you choose to volunteer in Peru then you are highly unlikely to be disappointed with the food. (Peru has been voted as having the best food in the world on a number of occasions now)

So what are you waiting for?

School is Back!

We began our teaching programme this week! With some new faces and some who have taught before, it was great to get back in the swing of things. More kids than ever have showed interest in being part of our lessons and it is amazing to see so much enthusiasm. 

I somehow managed to find a second to catch up with some HOOP volunteers to see how the first week went!

Philipp is from Germany and is teaching our Kangaroo class.

So far I have been getting to know my class better. Finding out their level of English was an integral part as well in order to make sure that all the kids reach a similar level! It is a challenging but very inspirational experience. 

Cancha time is a highlight for me, It’s just so rewarding to see the kids smiling non-stop.

For anyone thinking of volunteering, what could be better than facilitating the future prospects of impoverished kids by sharing your knowledge and gaining a unique experience. No money in the world could ever make up for it! 

Nikky, from Taiwan, teaches the Butterfly class. 

I teach the butterfly class, which is the youngest! We read story books for the kids, we paint and also sing songs. The kids are really cute, and the love from them is so pure! They always run up to me like little angels. To anyone who is thinking about volunteering..don't think, just do it! It’s the best experience. 

Misha, from England, teaches our Koala class

In lessons this week we have been learning about Earth Day. We also play games and sing songs! I have a lot of kids in my class but I am enjoying getting to know them and taking it one day at a time. Cancha time is a lot of fun, and usually involves skipping with hundreds of happy kids! 

Silvia, from Italy, teaches the Parrot class

The kids seem really interested in art or word games like hangman. As I teach a younger class, we start off with some exercises so they are ready to pay attention when the class begins.

Teaching in Flora Tristan is a great way to get to know a different culture, and the memories will stay with you forever!

Would you like to teach at HOOP?

If you like the sound of teaching with us, then we would love to hear from you! 

Closing the Gender Gap in Peru

With International Women’s Day taking place tomorrow, in this week's blog we’re putting the spotlight on women’s issues and progress towards gender equality in Peru.

What are the traditional gender roles in Peru?

Traditionally men and women in Peru and Latin America have conformed to ‘machismo’ and ‘marianismo’ gender roles. ‘Machismo’ is the idea that men are supposed to be seen as the head of the household and expected to live up to strong, masculine characteristics. For women, marianismo characteristics reflect femininity, modesty, purity, faithfulness and submissiveness.

But do modern Peruvians still conform to these gender roles? While there is huge diversity within the country, machismo and marianismo ideals are still very much alive, especially outside of the cosmopolitan urban areas and in more traditional communities.

The existence of these roles is troublesome as it creates a divide between women and men. The kinds of issues that can arise from traditional gender roles are widely documented, and are by no means restricted to Latin America. Women all over the world tend to shoulder the burden of care for the young and elderly, take on the majority of household work, earn less money, and are more likely to live in poverty. Issues such as violence against women and child marriage infringe on human rights and stop women from living secure, fulfilling and happy lives. Worryingly, figures from the World Health Organisation show that 49% of women in provincial Peru have been subjected to physical violence from a partner, and this could be partly a consequence of the machismo vs marianismo gender roles.

Are things changing?

Fortunately, things are changing. Women’s groups are doing great work across the country towards creating a fairer gender culture based on equality. There is also evidence that the gender gap is closing. According to the ‘Global Gender Gap Report’, which tracks gender based disparities and progress, Peru has jumped up 35 places since 2013.  This shows signs of truly meaningful advances in a number of sectors such as political empowerment, health and survival, and educational attainment.

Peru has seen new programs that hope to increase opportunities of entrepreneurship for women, and attention is being placed on increasing the number of female private sector workers, which has already increased by nearly a million people since 2001. (OECD)

Positive signs can also be seen with the life expectancy of Peruvian women rising above the global average over the past ten years. Casa Maternas (maternal houses) have also become more common in rural areas, supporting women who would otherwise give birth at home without a skilled attendant. Measures such as this have the potential to drastically reduce the number of maternal mortalities.

Closing the gender gap in education is another big challenge in Peru, especially rural regions, where 10% more of boys are literate and  a third of girls never finish primary school.  This however is being addressed through programs by the Peruvian government and UNESCO.

Education is something obviously close to our hearts, and our work at HOOP is enabling more girls (and boys) in impoverished areas on the edge of the city to be educated. 53.4% of mothers in the community didn’t finish primary level education, and our English and business programs are offering them a chance to enhance their skills, confidence and knowledge.

One of the HOOP mums joins the parent's association meeting

Gender equality is increasingly being seen as one of the keys to bringing communities out of poverty, so we aim to create an equal playing field amongst the boys and girls, as part of our wider vision of breaking the cycle of poverty in Flora Tristan for good.

One only needs to spend a very short amount of time at the HOOP school to see the enthusiasm and excitement for learning, where good education is considered a luxury but should be a right!

Social change doesn’t happen overnight, and takes awareness, compassion and advocacy from men and boys as well as women and girls. There is still a long way to go with regards to gender equality and rights for women, but there are definitely reasons to be optimistic for women in Peru.

Written by Oliver Adams

Images by Tom Hornbrook

How to be a great volunteer

Without the ambitious and caring HOOP volunteers from all over the globe, HOOP could not fullfill its vision and dream of breaking the cycle of poverty in the community of Flora Tristan through education. The 5th of December marks International Volunteer Day and to celebrate this special day and our volunteers, we will dedicate the whole of December to the topic of volunteering. Today's blog post is about how to be a great volunteer.

1. Be open-minded and flexible

A lot of our volunteers are very good at planning and scheduling, because this is what they are used to from their home country. However, living in a developing country often means that local cultures, infrastructure and timekeeping can be very different to what you are used to, so plans can often change from one minute to the next. In such moments great volunteers will remain calm and show flexibility. There is often no point in being angry or disappointed about those things, so you will have to make the best out of the situation. An open mind is one of the best characteristics a volunteer can have.

2. Be committed
Being a volunteer can use up a lot of energy. For example during the day you may help with the projects and at night there might be a fundraising party, you would like to discover your new home town, or just hang out with all the other HOOP volunteers. The day of a volunteer can be very long and tiring. Volunteering is certainly not a walk in the park and you shouldn't start your placement thinking it will be. It requires just as much dedication and energy as any other job does.

3. Be curious

In a new country or even a different continent it is always fun to discover new things. As a volunteer it is therefore almost impossible to not bring a huge load of curiosity, because that is the secret ingredient to bring new ideas to a developing country. It is just how Bernard Baruch once said: "Curiosity! Millions saw the apple fall, but Newton asked why."

4. Be imaginative

Do you remember your favourite teacher? It was probably one with a wild imagination and a better way to teach the subject to you than all the other teachers ever could. It is always amusing and fun to listen to and be around someone who can see things from a different angle and who is not scared to do something crazy. So if you are going to start a teaching volunteer position, try and use all of your imagination and creativity in the classroom, and you will probably find that the kids will give you all of their attention in return.

5. Be selfless

As Ronald Reagan once said: "We can´t help everyone, but everyone can help someone." As a volunteer you will probably want to travel and see as much of your new home as possible. However, you should also remember that you have committed your time to a certain cause, so the priority of each volunteer should always be the passion for the project and its vision. It goes without saying that we love the selflessness of our HOOP volunteers. They are sacrificing their energy and time without expecting anything in return. Our volunteers are happy with the rewarding work they are doing every day, and for that we and the families they work with will be forever grateful.

Written and photo by Charlette Voss

Top 5 volunteer qualities that will help make a difference to the Flora Tristan community

Being a volunteer can be one of the most rewarding experiences a person can have, but it also of course benefits local beneficiaries. Below are five volunteer qualities that that will help make a difference to the Flora Tristan community:

1. Great Motivation

If you are traveling abroad because of your strong desire to help and volunteer, then you will already have a great motivation for work. Your ethics and believes as a volunteer will probably be way stronger than of those who work a normal 9 to 5 job. And we all know that if the teacher is motivated, classes are more fun. HOOP volunteers are tutors, mentors, teachers, guides, coaches and supporters all at the same time, and the children will greatly benefit from a motivated teacher.

2. International Experience

Since most volunteers come from all over the globe to work as a teacher with HOOP, students can benefit a lot from these well-traveled and open-minded personalities. They learn to be more tolerant and broader-minded.

3. Enormous impact on the health and stabilisation of communities

Since the families living in Flora Tristan do not have very good access to health care and public education, it can be quite difficult for them to find out how to improve their own health and education without the help of authorities. HOOP volunteers therefore not just teach the students English, they also teach oral hygiene, nutrition and general higiene, in order to create a more healthy lifestyle for the community.

4. HOOP`s three values

Everyone beeing involved with HOOP is sharing the same values: 

Accountability: We are accountable to our beneficiaries, donors, partners and staff.
Integrity: We act consistently with HOOP`s mission, being honest and transparent in what we do and say, and accept responsibility for our collective and individual actions.
Commitment: We work together effectively to serve and empower the larger community with dignity and respect.

5. Critical minds

Most of the HOOP volunteers have already traveled a lot and are interested in foreign languages, cultures and politics. Consequently they are critically thinkers. So many different creative minds can bring a lot of imput to our organisation, along with great, sustainable ideas for HOOP as well.


HOOP wouldn`t be where it is today without the help of all those volunteers that kindly donate their time to us each year and us and the community in Flora Tristan is very grateful for that.

Written and photographed by Charlette Voss