I spent this past August volunteering in Lima, Peru in the grass-roots community of Villa el Salvador. I was placed at an extra-curricular sight named Deporte y Vida through an organization called Cross-Cultural Solutions. I highly recommend CCS to the individual with altruistic international travel motives. While at Deporte y Vida I worked in collaboration with international volunteers, but more importantly with the actual staff native to both Peru and the community of Villa el Salvador. I was blessed to bear witness to their selfless and steadfast existences as perpetuators of a progressive future for their children and community at large. I was humbled by their ever-present humility and astounded by their triumph of spirit.
O DWELLERS OF MY PARADISE!
With the hands of loving-kindness I have planted in the holy garden of paradise the young tree of your love and friendship, and have watered it with the goodly showers of My tender grace; now that the hour of its fruiting is come, strive that it may be protected, and be not consumed with the flame of desire and passion.
(Baha’u'llah, The Persian Hidden Words)
