Happy Holidays

The peruvian delegation of the SWY24 wished all of you Happy Holidays. I hope this can be a time for family and friends to get together and spend quality time.

Best Wishes!

Meeting with Japanese Consul General in Peru

On monday 12 of december the peruvian delegation visited the Japanese Embassy in Peru. First we headed to do our paperwork for the visa which was pleasant and fast. After that we had a scheduled meeting with the Japanese Consul General in Peru Mr. Yasushi Imai and the Cultural Attaché Mrs. Naomi Kuroda, which in fact was one of the responsible that we're here as PY. This was our first protocolar meeting. We greeted one by one to both Japanese representatives and exchanged presentation cards. Then we sat at long dark wood table and had a conversation time with the Consul General. He started by saying some words about the importance of this journey and the bridge that we are going to create between other countries. Formal in his way, we also had some times where we would laugh at the great sense of humor that he has. After that, each of the peruvian delegation members presented themselves starting with our National Leader Hiroshi Hironaka. Followed by both the Assistant Leaders and then the rest of us. Finally, we received best wishes from the embassy and departed the place.

We are very grateful for all the support that we've been getting by the Japanese Embassy and we are more than sure we are going to prove that we are a great delegation.

This foto was taken during the National Presentation we did on saturday 17 of december. The guests where the Consul General and wife, Cultural Attaché and husband, and all our family and friends. We are wearing our peruvian uniform.

SWY FEST 2011

Last Sunday we organized the SWY FEST 2011. A concert with the goal to raise some money and have a good time. It was a huge success. Our performers where in fact members of our delegation. I think that is a remarkable thing. We got talent in the team!

It started with the talented musical skills of our National Leader Hiroshi and the beautiful voice of Andrea.  Followed by a traditional japanese songs that was sang by Hiroshi and played by an ex-PY using a traditional japanese instrument. After that, the Wavestones (a band where Paul is a member) delighted us with their own composed songs. Finally to close the night, all the SWY24 peruvian delegation stepped on stage and gave some brief words of how they felt being part of this group. Then we all joined together to sing and play an awesome song.

This really was an emotional night. Family and friends all together with the sole purpose of helping us while having a good time.

As you can see, the SWY24 Peru delegation has plenty of artistic talent that will come very handy in the program.

We invite you to look at our pictures below from the SWY FEST 2011.

Voluntary Activity @ "UN DIA DE ESPERANZA"

On Sunday 13 of november we visited an association called "UN DIA DE ESPERANZA" that means "ONE DAY OF HOPE". In this place boys and girls from 5  to 17 years old that are HIV-positive gather. They are afflicted by this decease and keeping their hopes up is what this place is all about. The people in this organization are doing a great job.

So we decided that we wanted to visit them and learn their situation. We organized activities that all could relate to. Starting with an improv game that quickly helped memorize that names of all of us. Then we did another game that was really fun that consisted in becoming a object or person and then rapidly someone else had to join in and compliment the scene. After this group games, we splitter in smaller teams. While some learn how to play peruvian instruments others learned how to Latin Dance. Then we had a great party with all that had been learned.

Then at noon we had lunch. Pepe using his cooking mastery prepared all of us an entrée and a main course. We all enjoyed it and specially the kids. We ate a lot.

This place has much to offer this kids and they are just beginning. In a near future they will be able to accommodate them here, so they can live and receive their treatment all in the same location.

This was just one of the many Voluntary Activities that we have planned. We wish to come back soon and help them out to set up the place for the kids.

We are getting ready for the National Presentation!

Our rehearsals are becoming funner each time we practice. We get to dances a lot and play tons of typical music! This time, we tried out our new red and white jackets and t-shirts and took a great picture as the peruvian flag, which was a gift of our sponsor Cuy Arts. Check out their Web Site, you’ll find awesome products!

Visit to the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru - IDEHPUCP

On november 2nd the Peruvian Delegation visited the Institute for Democracy and Human Rights of the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru - IDEHPUCP, where we received an interesting lecture in charge of Proffesor José Alejandro Godoy.

The lecture was about the political violence situation that underwent Perú between 1980 and the year 2000, that left a painful balance of serious crimes and violations to human rights, and about the work of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that was created in 2001 as the instance in charge of clarifying the process and facts occurred, and proposing initiatives to strengthen peace and reconciliation among all Peruvians.

The IDEHPUCP was created as an University initiative "aimed at strengthening the rule of law, citizenship, the full effectiveness of human rights and institutions proper of a democratic system in Peru, through the dissemination, rising of awareness and generation of academic venues and non-partisan political reflection forums".

IDEHPUCP donated documentation about the political violence and the work of The Truth and Reconciliation Commission that will be socialized with participants of the SW24.

If you want to know more about IDEHPUCP, you are welcome to visit their site: www.idehpucp.edu.pe

Preparatory work - First meetings

The work meetings of the Peruvian Delegation began on September 19th, a few days after we received one of the best news of our lives: that we had been chosen to represent our country in the 24th Ship for World Youth!

We started meeting twice a week and distributed the responsibilities so that every one of us will be in charge of one of the activities that we have to carry on in the ship.

But, in mid-October, we realized that we had to push harder, so we began to gather four times a week to plan and rehearse our National Presentation, design our uniform, think about probable sponsors and get to know ourselves a little bit better.

So far, we are becoming experts on dances from the Peruvian jungle and the rhythms of the African-Peruvian community, so prepare for what you will see in the ship!

We are taking care of the last details of the script and beginning to produce all the material that we will need to amaze you all.

Up to date, we are looking for more sponsors that would help us share the wonders of Peru with the other 12 delegations on SWY 24.