A busy day in Peru

Today, we were out and about the entire day! After getting an early head start, we took a combi to the HOOP office. Here, we met Alonso (HOOP coordinator) who then travelled with us via combi to Fé y Alegria, a charter-like school on the outskirts of Arequipa, where we interviewed principal Emilio Jimenez Icazaca. He shared valuable insights with us regarding the importance of education and how it empowers the community here. We spent the rest of the day at the HOOP school in Flora Tristan playing with children and interviewing families. 

The combi system is incredibly unique. Though Peruvians refer to the combi system as “el transporte público” (public transportation), combis are large passenger vans that are owned and maintained by private companies. Interestingly, though in the US we often associate public transportation with a system run by the government, Peruvians consider public transportation to be any mode of transport used by the public. There is no public bus system in Arequipa. Information about combis is localized; there is currently no map of combi routes or pick-up times. To know when, where, and how to take combis, you have to learn from the locals!

As a team, we have come to realize that political instability, geographical diversity, and transportation are deeply rooted within one another. Additionally, everything is connected through education. Education includes academic, social, and familial components; our definition of education continues to expand. We are learning so much from the people of Arequipa, and we cannot wait to share what we have learned through conversations and film!

In gratitude,
Grace