PERUVIAN ADVENTURE

- Jaycee Gossett, Contributing Writer

Upon my arrival into Cusco, even though it is my second visit, I am still struck by the magic of this land ... This whole adventure started when my best friend and amazing yogi, Alison Novie Sinatra, told me I had to go to Peru and meet this woman, Mama Kia.  "She's amazing," she  kept saying. "She will change your life, Peru will change your life, you will never be the same! You have to see what she is doing!”

Well, she told me the story of Mama Kia traveling to Peru for many years and feeling devastated at seeing all the living children on the street. Starving, abandoned and abused, these children had a future that would only bring them more misery.  Over 3,500 children live on the streets of Cusco, many of them abandoned by families that could not feed them.

Malnutrition, infrequent bathing and inadequate care cause widespread health problems including skin infections, bronchitis, tuberculosis, rickets and chronic intestinal infections. But the loneliness and fear experienced by these children forced to live on the street all alone are the most painful afflictions of all.

One of Mama Kia's daughters had just given birth to her 4th child, Chandler. Less than a week later the baby died.  Mama Kia knew that, for her grandchild, she had to help these children in Peru.  So Casa De Milagros was born.

Casa de Milagros provides shelter, food, clothing, basic medical care and education and arts programs that promote self-confidence and self-worth for children in need. This is done in a truly unique environment in which progressive programs are used to foster a healthy and positive consciousness. Based on the philosophy that they must start at the root in order to give back to the community … and what better roots are there to nurture than children?

A real life angel in the flesh, Mama Kia has taken these children in and given them a miracle. None of the kids are up for adoption! They are all each other’s family, and the family keeps on growing! There are now almost 33 kids at Casa from 6 months to 17 years old. All the kids can go to the organic garden (which they all help in tend) to pick tomatoes, cucumbers, bell peppers and a variety of “experiments.” There are fruit trees, apples, pears, peaches, plums, raspberries and cherries to enjoy! Everyone participates in cooking organic, healthy meals which get gobbled up no matter how green the veggies look!

Casa de Milagros shows the children and the community that they don't have to be hungry or malnourished. Organic farming and permaculture are practiced on the premises at all times. Permaculture, a technique that is growing in worldwide recognition, involves conserving as much precious water as possible while utilizing all of nature's resources completely. The result is land that can be cultivated year after year providing a secure source of food and income for the people. Having the knowledge of permaculture, the people will have a decreased need for outside resources resulting in a decreased level of family disintegration. All of the children at Casa de Milagros have an active role in growing the food and herbs, learning from the staff members who are trained in permaculture.

Mama Kia's theory that organic healthy nutrition aids in healing was confirmed when she started a soup kitchen in the village. Sopa del Dia is the spot for everyone to come and eat. There are hot meals served three times a week to 98 children and 15 elderly people. For the elderly, the meals are delivered as they cannot move about very well. For the children there is also a fruit snack after lunch. The health of all has improved by 100%. The mothers of the children who attend school in Sacllo, about 28, have also organized to cook just for these children on Tuesday and Thursday when Sopa del Dia is not cooking, so their children have remained extremely healthy even with the cold winters. Of course they’ve had the usual sniffles and coughs, but no real serious conditions. The attendance at school is now close to a 100%,   grades have all gone up and the overall attention span of these kids has greatly improved. Now  that they have healthy organic meals in their bellies they are able to concentrate and enjoy learning!

I recently returned to visit mama Kia, and I decided on this trip to teach the kids dance. Belly dancing for the girls and Salsa/Merengue for the boys and girls to do together. M.K. loved the idea and told me bizarrely  enough that the girls were on a huge Bollywood kick from Indian DVDs she gets in Lima for a dollar! The girls watch the dance sequences over and over, learning the moves! "Perfect," I said.

At first the girls were very shy with me, especially since most of the kids have been sexually abused. Getting them to unblock that locked energy in their hips by shaking it with me and laughing proved to be a healing experience for them. We put on a performance at Casa with bindis and all. The girls radiated in their new-found self expression and confidence. But mostly they still  gaped at me like I was from outer space – especially since I was speaking another language and communicating through the movement of the dance.

Anyone interested in volunteering at the orphanage or organizing a group can stay at the beautiful , magical, sacred retreat center Mama Kia has created to fund the orphanage and to give the kids a future in which they can participate however they want. The Casa kids offer their skills by cooking, tending the lush gardens and offer healing work as well. Please visit the website www.chandlersky.org. The website for the retreat center is www.hanaqpacharetreatcenter.com. Casa is also always happy to receive donations of clothes and many other items, so when you get rid of your family’s clothes, keep Casa in mind! They give donations out to the entire village so all sizes are needed and used.

And if you get the chance to go, be prepared to fall in love with the land, kids and Mama Kia. You will quickly want her to be your best friend, sister and mother all at once!

For private Bellydance and Latin dance lessons for you or a group of girlfriends, email me and we can shake it up!