Peru People

Some People of Peru

Elena standing in the door of her home. She has such a open smile. And such intelligent eyes. But she is being raised in a culture of fear. So she holds the door, with its faded paint, for security. She hides part way behind it and doesn't open it completely. Like most females in Peru she will hardly ever be allowed to leave the house. It can be expected that if she were to so much as leave for ten minutes and walk to the corner store for an ice cream with a male friend, she would get hit when she got home. I consider this one of my best pictures. Here is a larger copy so you can really see her face.

Cristian and Susan

Cristian and Susan are good friends. But they can only talk to each other at school and walking home for a few minutes. They both told me they are afraid their parents will hit them if they arrive late at home. They are both very friendly, but very, very insecure. I met Susan's mother and she was not friendly at all. She ordered Susan around and Susan and all her friends were obviously afraid of the mother.

Another Susan

This Susan goes to the Morman church. She told me the Catholics only go to church for one hour a week. But the Mormons spend 4 hours in the church each Sunday. She said the Catholics worship images and have processions. The Mormons also give 10 percent of their salaries to the church.

She taught me creida, petuca, asco (but I don't remember what they are)

She lives with her brother. Her parents are seperated. Her brother hits her. A couple weeks ago before I met her he hit her when she had some friends over and was making too much noise. She is very intelligent and was very interested in our conversation. But like nearly all teenager females in Peru, she had to go home quickly after school or she would get in trouble. And when I asked if she wanted to help me with some projects for the poor children she said she would like to but she had to study.

Maribel

Maribel is studying psychology in the university. Turned 18 the next day after I met her. Said her mother hit her with a knife recently. Hits her when she doesn't obey, when she talks back. Thinks is it all "normal."

She said she doesn't think she could move out because the people in the town would talk about her and her own family would criticize her. When she talks about moving out someday, her father calls her "selfish."

Birthday Nov 5- 18 in 2004

Told me all her friends like my ideas. She said to summarize, "You believe that to educate children it is not necessary to use violence." And I said, "Yes and it is not necessary to use threats or punishments." She said she wanted to help me but her a) her mother wouldn't let her out and b) she had to study