"Chijnaya is incredible. While the Altiplano might be lacking in technology, there is no lack of passion or community commitment for this little village. The people are progressive and organized. They see their dreams and asked for guidance from Ralph Bolton to achieve those goals. The people of Chijnaya are also the warmest people I have ever been met: I was cared for like the son of an Incan king. There was no lack of surprises during my stay. I became a god-parent of Adu, milked cows, ate goat jawbone, and played in their village soccer game (my muscels had never burned like that, things are quite a bit different at 13.000 ft.). Everyday brings something new, but the clear, crisp blue skies are always there to stay."

-Derek Buchner Pomona '09, stayed in Chijnaya during the summer of 2006

"Living in Chijnaya was an experience that truly changed my outlook on life. When you're living life on less than a dollar a day, you become a lot more grateful for what you have. My homestay family in Chijnaya was extensive, and yet each one of them reached out to me and made me feel like home. I no longer refer to them as my "homestay family" they are simply "my family." My birthday happened to be during our stay and even though my family struggled to support themselves on a daily basis, they threw me the best birthday party I have ever had and invited all the other volunteers over for an elaborate dinner party, complete with dancing. In Chijnaya, you will hear the people talk over and over about the past volunteers that have lived there. They are so appreciative of all the work we do there. When I had to leave, my family and I cried for an hour in our yard. I couldn't bear the thought that I might not see them again. I only hoped that next year when the new volunteers came, they would ask about for me because I know I will be asking about them for years to come."

-Becca Russell-Einhorn Pomona '10, stayed in Chijnaya during the summer of 2008

"We are really so lucky to be blessed with access to electricity, running water, flushing toilets, entertainment, consistent sanitation and diverse food options everyday. And while we know that we should be grateful, think of those in need, and try to live more simply, it's extremely hard to do and even harder to really imagine what life would be like without all of these luxuries. Living in rural Chijnaya showed me what that life was like -- and the fact is living without movies and Thai Food was hard, but also one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. It was a challenge both physically and emotionally to live on a farm at 13,000 feet elevation with fewer friends and comforts than I am used to. But I had an amazing time; the people of Chijnaya are incredibly welcoming, optimistic, and passionate. They have taught me lessons I will always cherish, and inspired me to share those lessons. Part of me will always be in Peru, and I think of that landscape and that community as an integral part of who I am. I'm still in contact with the family I stayed with, and hope to visit again."

-Ariel Gandolfo, Pomona '11, stayed in Chijnaya during the summer of 2008

"Living in Chijnaya was unlike any experience I have ever had. Even though I had volunteered in Latin America prior to working with the Chijnaya Foundation, it is a completely different experience to actually live with the families you are working with. Living with a homestay family in the village gives you a very real sense of what life is like in Chijnaya, until you realize that you get to go back to the comfort of your home in the United States- a luxury that these people will never have. Spanning a cultural disconnect like the one between the suburbs of the United States and a rural village in the Altiplano of Southern Peru is a challenge, but one that will teach you some very valuable lessons about life, and will teach you to question what things are really important and necessary in life. While living in Peru made me long for many of the day-to-day things in life that I had come to take for granted, now that I am back I find myself missing the time I spent there- the sights, sounds, and celebrations of Chijnaya that we were so lovingly welcomed into from Day 1."

-Lissa Erickson, Whitman '11, stayed in Chijnaya during the summer of 2008

"My trip to Chijnaya was my first trip abroad and it was one I will never forget. It not only helped my put my life in the United States in perspective but also inspired me to pursue issues of education and development in my future. The families of Chijnaya are extremely generous and my host mom always made me extra fried egg sandwiches because she knew how much I enjoyed them. Being able to teach my host sisters English and see them improve in their vocabulary also gave me the opportunity to improve my own teaching skills. I will always remember spending the 4th of July talking with the mayor of the town about politics and what we both could learn from having volunteers in Chijnaya. When I left Chijnaya I told the community that it was an experience I will never forget and that I will return when the opportunity presents itself. I intend to keep that promise."

-Jonathon Peterson, Pomona '09, stayed in Chijnaya during the summer of 2007

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