On the Banks of Lake Titicaca

Having arrived directly from the bustling streets of Cusco, our new lives
in the small community of Llachon seemed excessively austere at first. Upon
our arrival, we were greeted by our temporary families and led to our
modest accommodation for the week. All of us lived in huts, and only a few
had running water on site. However, nothing could compare to what lay
outside our doors - for one week, we were fortunate enough to live beside
Lake Titicaca, the highest navigable lake in the world.

Our mornings in Llachon were spent painting the inside of the community
center. This was our first service project of the program, and it was a
privilege to be able to feel like I was making a difference - however
small. Being able to participate in this service project made me realize
how lucky I am to have been born in a society where I have so much
available to me, and how grateful I am to be able to use my own resources
and efforts to help another community.

In the evenings we returned to our host families. For the first time, we
were immersed in a part of the culture where Quechua, not Spanish, was the
primary language spoken between community members. With both parties not
completely confident in Spanish, communication was usually limited; but
through my travels, I’ve learned that communication runs deeper than
language, and connections can be made regardless. It’s these connections
between people, above all else, that I will cherish forever.

-Grace Jefferson