Submitted by Madison Werth on the 2017 summer session program in Peru sponsored by the School of Nursing…
This week, we left the Greenhouse and went to Cusco to adjust to the altitude before heading up to Q’eros, a rural village in the Andes mountains about 15,000 feet above sea level.
Our trek up to Q’eros included a 5 hour car ride followed by an hour and a half on horse back, which was amazing. We rode the horses along the side of the mountains up to an elevation of 16,000 feet and then hiked down by foot into Q’eros.
In Q’eros, we spent a lot of time sewing reusable feminine products and teaching the women how to make them on their own. We also played a lot with the children and helped occupy their time because the teachers at their school were on strike.
Although, we were only there for a few days, it was an amazing experience. The people of Q’eros were so happy to have us there, and had such an amazing spirit. Although they had so little, with no running water or electricity, they were so happy. Their simplicity and simple way of living was really inspiring.