Luciana Pistorello (Brazil):
Um mês na Horizon foi pouco… muito pouco! Quando as dificuldades com a língua e a adaptação inicial foram superadas não pude acreditar que já era hora de ir embora!! Interagir com as crianças da escola municipal São Francisco de Assis foi maravilhoso. As crianças são doces e muito afetuosas, e quanto mais em pensava na minha necessidade de doação pessoal, mais eu recebia deles!! Mais inesquecível ainda foi conviver com os adolescentes e adultos alunos da Horizon, pois além de toda a troca e aprendizado mútuos, teve muita diversão!! Mais que alunos, eram amigos queridos. E a Horizon, mais que uma escola, é uma família. Uma experiência como essa, de viver por um tempo num país desconhecido, convivendo com pessoas nativas e com colegas de outros países, todos aparentemente tão diferentes mas humanamente tão iguais, não tem preço. Aprendizado pra toda uma vida, daqueles que deixam aquela vontade de fazer de novo. Eu recomendo!
ENGLISH
A month at Horizon was short … very short! When difficulties with the language and initial adaptation were overcome, I could not believe it was time to go!
Interacting with children in the public school, San Francisco de Assis, was wonderful. The children are so sweet and affectionate, and the more I thought about a personal donation, the more I got from them! What was more memorable was the teaching of the adolescent and adult students of Horizon, as well as all the exchange and mutual learning. I had lots of fun! What I found there was not only students, but dear friends. And Horizon is more than a school; it is a family. It was such an experience living for a time in an unknown country, living with local people and with colleagues from other countries—all seemingly so different but so alike is priceless. This is learning for a lifetime, something you would want to do again. I recommend it! lumafloripa@hotmail.com
Hannah and Ellie Urinovsky (England): When the two of us were planning our trip to South America we knew that we wanted to finish by doing some volunteering. After living the lives of nomadic travellers for five months, what better way to round off our adventure than to give something back to a community, and to do something worthwhile. Once our flights were booked and our route was roughly planned, we started to search teaching English volunteering options, and that is when we came across Horizon. Unlike larger and more commercial companies, Horizon is a small family owned organization that really is doing a good thing. The idea is still fairly new, however Luz and Manuel are genuine people who are doing their best to make a difference within the community of La Esperanza. With the hard work of volunteers from around the world, Horizon provides English lessons at both a state school and at the Horizon house. We have just finished a month of teaching there and although at times it was challenging, the experience was all that we hoped it would be and more.
As we are both going to study to be Primary School teachers, the experience at Horizon has benefited us greatly and has strengthened our teaching abilities. Our time was divided between private one to one tuitions at the house and classes at the San Fransisco de Asis colegio. With the private classes we had to plan our lessons in advance bearing in mind that individual needs of each student, and given that the learners were of different ages and abilities it was fairly time consuming preparing for each private lesson. On average we had 5 students each for roughly 12 hours per week during the evenings, and the lessons varied in content, for example teaching the alphabet and numbers to explaining more complex grammar. One of the great things about the one to one lessons is that we were able to build solid rapports with our students and that really makes the experience so much more special. Establishing relationships and visibly noticing progress is a priceless reward and for us it has inspired us further to pursue a career in teaching.
Teaching at the colegio was fun, tough at times and really rewarding. Us volunteers would choose a topic for the week and this would be repeated across grades 1 to 6 (ages 5 to 12) for roughly 20 sessions. Topics included colours, family members, objects in the classroom…all of which the children got very excited about. ‘English, English…’ was frequently chanted when we entered the classrooms however the excitability of the children and crowd control aspect was quite hard at times. The elements of discipline in a state school like this are a world away from what we are accustomed to, not to mention health and safety standards either. There is no way that schools in England would allow stray dogs to wander about the playground, nor for teachers to leave 100% alcohol whiteboard cleaner on their desks. Well, we came here to experience something different… and we certainly did! Continuously being summonsed as “professora, professora”, or even “gringa” by the students was something that we got used to and the children really were adorable. Talking with them in recess and in class, they were all so curious to know where we had come from, bombarding us with questions and asking the most bizzare things. One of the best was “how long is the bus from Peru to England?”… so, explaining that one was quite funny. They are under the impression, for some unknown reason, that us English know just about every famous figure in the world… we were asked if we were related to Messi, if Justin Bieber was our brother, or even if we knew the Queen. Goodness knows what they teach these kids in general studies within the Peruvian curriculum!! Although teaching in the colegio was hard work, our experience there opened our eyes to those less fortunate and we felt a great sense of achievement in trying to make a difference. The fact that Horizon are providing lessons at the colegio and are implementing English into the curriculum means that the children there are being given greater opportunities which will hopefully benefit them as they grow up. It feels really good to have been part of that programme and it is fulfilling to think that we have begun to make a difference.
Aside from teaching and working hard, there was plenty of time to make the most of weekends and the odd morning off. The nearby beach of Huanchaco was our local escape, and if us volunteers weren’t indulging in surfing or yoga on the seafront, we were enjoying many 2 for 1 cocktails at Jungle Bar. One of many memorable moments for us was enjoying the sunset with a nice cold beer, sitting on the beach as the night closed in. Understandably, this was one of our favourite things to do of a weekend. Life in Trujillo is pretty fun too… there are lots of busy and bizzare markets to explore, the ruins of Chan Chan of course, sandboarding, and we even found ourselves a Starbucks in a moment of desperately craving a little bit of home!
The Horizon House has a great vibe, and although everyone works super hard during the day, we always found time to relax, laugh and hang-out during the evenings. Barbeques were a frequent event, and if it wasn’t that there were homemade cakes being cooked. We are sure that this house makes the volunteers put on a few pounds! If we weren’t grilling or life wasn’t revolving around food of some sort, we would be relaxing in the courtyard, listening to music or watching dodgy Peruvian copies of some pretty good films. One lady who everyone loves is Estella, who is at the house everyday during the week to cook us yummy lunches and take care of all of us. She was like a second Mum taking care of us if we were unwell and generally checking if we were ok. Estella usually invited us to her house on the weekend for lunch with her family and we were lucky enough to be given a Ceviche and Lomo Saltado cookery class. We went with her to buy all the produce from the local market and then we went back to her house to cook it, and eat it with her family and all the volunteers for lunch. We feel extremely lucky to have met and become close to such wonderful people like her.
Overall, our experience at Horizon was all that we had wished for and so much more. When it comes to volunteering nowadays it is often hard to find an organization or experience that is original and active within their aims of making a difference. In paying for volunteering, you often question where your money is going and how it will benefit people; however we have discovered that Luz and Manuel and the work of the volunteers at Horizon are positively making an impact in such a poor and undeveloped area. Seeing the progress of students and being so appreciated as a volunteer makes an experience like this unforgettable, and as a result we have come away wanting more. Horizon is just starting out and although the organization is still small and undiscovered it is centered around a huge heart of gold. We truly believe that Horizon has the potential to expand and continue to offer great things to underprivileged children and adults. Who knows what the future will hold but undoubtedly it will be positive…let’s just hope that one day we can return. hannah_urinovsky@hotmail.co.uk
Alyssa Robinson (Australia): I’m now in my sixth week of teaching English in La Esperanza and I feel completely at home here. I’m surprised but reassured by how easily and unreservedly I’ve been able to transition into a place and lifestyle at odds with the one I’m used to. Having to immediately slip into a professional role, as well as figure out how to get around day to day in an unfamiliar city, has given me a new confidence and sense of self. That’s definitely one of the most fulfilling aspects of having travelled here.
But of course I can’t speak of fulfillment without acknowledging the amazing gift that is having the opportunity to teach a foreign language. While the kids at the local primary school often try my patience and some days don’t go as well as others, the joy in seeing a student suddenly ‘get’ what you’re teaching them is unrivalled. Whether the student is six or sixteen, there’s no better feeling than when they get a question right and their pride is written all over their face.
Teaching is challenging, especially when, like me, you arrive knowing very little Spanish. But it’s so satisfying rising to the occasion and proving to yourself that you can teach effectively (even through the language barrier!) and that you can make a difference. It probably won’t be a radical difference, but it’s achievement enough to see one particularly bright kid in one class fall in love with language, and to know deep down that he or she will continue learning long after you leave. Peruvian children are ridiculously cute; I’ve been swarmed by hugs in the middle of the school courtyard and unable to move an inch through the thick of eager children with sticky, beaming little faces.
All the volunteers work hard preparing lessons and teaching (both in the primary school and conducting one-on-one tutorials in the house), but we always make the most of our down-time. Weekends are occupied with excursions to the beach and nearby towns, and whatever we get up to, it’s always a lot of fun. Weekday evenings are often spent cooking together, strumming on the house guitar or listening to someone’s iPod while we chat and relax. Along with Luz, Manuel and their children, our cook Estela (who makes fantastic Peruvian food!) and her lovely daughter Karla, we make an ever-changing but nonetheless tight family. I’ve felt welcomed and supported here since Day One.
If you’re up for a challenge and have an open mind, then definitely consider coming to Horizon. When I leave here, I’ll be taking away so much more than I arrived with – a bunch of friendships with both ‘westerners’ and locals; a better appreciation of just how lucky I am (though being here makes it very clear that material wealth isn’t everything); incredible memories and even an ability to speak some Spanish!
Kristiana Milliken (Wisconsin - USA): These past two weeks have been filled with love, challenges, sweat and tears. I am already growing up so much I can’t imagine how my life will change over the next six months. The first few days I was blinded by the excitement. I didn’t really realize how dire and impoverished this area is. Every day I become more aware of the reality of this place. Kids come to school dirty, smelly, and sick. Many of them don’t have running water or electricity at their homes. While many are loved by their families, many aren’t…..
Those who know me well know my love for dogs. I am mildly obsessed, and plan on owning a dog rescue ranch sometime in the future. Well, La Esperanza would be a great place to scoop up enough dogs to occupy 10 employees time; however, my obsession for dogs has been put on the back burner by the compassion I need to have for the children. We lie in such a fantasy world in the United States. We don’t know poverty. There is no governmental aid for these people; there is no standard of living. They don’t live to get by, they live for survival. My heart breaks everyday, realizing more and more that I can’t save the world. We are doing our part here at Horizon to help out, to give these kids a little hope and attention, so that they can feel like they are something, that they do have a purpose on this earth and that they can make something out of their lives. 30% of school-aged children in this area don’t even go to school. They work, if you can call it that. They scavenge, beg, and steal. They are robbed of their own childhoods. Despite all of this, they are all still beautiful kids. We are greeted every day with smiles, hugs, kisses, compliments and just a general happiness to have us present.
On a different note, we spent last Friday, Saturday at the beach, which is about a 20-minute drive from our home. It is beautiful there. The streets are quieter, the people are inviting and there are more gringos (not necessarily a good thing). Had a good time Friday night, Saturday morning with fiesta (partying) and spent the rest of the day lounging on the beach. I then went with one of my students who is 17 to her church for a Saturday night concert. I enjoy her company and I know she enjoys mine so even though the whole Jesus-freak thing isn’t my style I still enjoyed the experience. I am looking forward so much to this weekend. Friday night we will be hitting the town in Trujillo. Saturday is cooking and planning day, because Sunday is beach day with some of our students. We are taking the students who can to the beach in Huanchaco on Sunday. Some of the boys are surfing (for free) and the rest of us will be playing games, running around and enjoying each other’s company. I love hanging out with the kids so I am really y really looking forward to Sunday. Each of us volunteers will be bringing a food item that is from our country. Being that I’m a good midwestern girl, I’ll be bringing sandwiches (my favorite food). There will definitely be pictures of the day’s event.
So much goes on here, I wish I was more dedicated to writing because there are stories to tell from everyday. Being that tomorrow is Thanksgiving I will end on a note of thanks. I won’t be enjoying the festivities of Thanksgiving, and will most likely be eating some sort of rice, soy, egg dish that I create for dinner. But the day and its true meaning is still with me. I am thankful for more than I can express. I am thankful for growing up in a loving, enriching, creative, caring, and beautiful home. I am thankful for having parents who care about me and for having brothers who look out for me. I am thankful for all my good friends from the past and the ones I will make in the future. But today, at this moment, here, I am thankful for being able to give back, even just a little, to those in dire, dire need of help. I am thankful for being able to realize that these kids need help. Not necessarily with money or homework, but in friendship, in trust, in love. They need to know that we are here for them and not for other external reasons. I am thankful that I can finally start to see the world for what it really is. I am thankful, so thankful for this experience. For meeting everyone I have, for dealing with all the problems that have already come my way. I am thankful for my shitty bed, for my weak, cold shower, for my bad stomach that can’t handle the food. I am thankful for the dog shit on the ground, the germs I am getting from every kid at school. I am thankful for all of it. The good, the bad, and the very, very ugly. My heart has opened a new compartment and I know I will never be the same. Bless all of you on this day of Thanks and make sure to really know how lucky you are. You are luckier than you could ever imagine. kristianamilliken@gmail.com
Molly McSorley (Chicago - USA):
I highly recommend Horizon School Peru to any and all! It was an incredible experience for me personally. I went by myself, with minimum Spanish, but the communication with Manuel before my arrival put my mind at ease. He made my travels from Chicago easy, helping me with various modes of transportation to get to Trujillo. Upon arrival, I was immediately welcomed into my new Peru family. Manuel and Luz (our hosts) were gracious and accommodating to all the volunteers. They truly treated us like part of the family, showing and teaching us about the culture, the language, and the people. I felt grateful every day I was there to witness their kindnesses to the children and families of the poor community of La Esperanza. They are extremely inspiring people- not only inviting us, but reaching out to their community to invite them into their home and school. A typical day for me began teaching in the primary grades at the local school. What a surprise to be greeted with kisses on the cheek and hugs from the masses of children waiting at the door for our arrival! It made me feel special every day. I also loved playing soccer in the streets with the local children who enjoyed teaching us new Spanish words. I learned so much about language acquisition in the way I was learning the Spanish language, just as I was teaching the English language simultaneously. Luz’s family made sure I was practicing my Spanish- I was very grateful for their support as well. After the classes in the morning/early afternoon, students/adults would come to the Horizon School to get further English instruction. The volunteers and I would teach small group classes or provide one-on-one instruction. After all work was done, our group definitely had some fun…from sing-along sessions, playing guitar and learning pan-flute, learning how to make traditional peruvian dishes, cooking, salsa dancing, surfing in Huanchaco, and climbing up the sand dunes. It was an experience I am truly grateful to have had. I feel blessed to have met such outstanding people there, great friends, and a new perspective which with always remain with me. molly.mcsorley@gmail.com
Shana Fowler (Pittsburgh, USA): Spending May-July 2010 at Horizon was one of the most amazing phases of my life. I could never have imagined that my experience at Horizon would be so fulfilling and incredible. Luz and Manuel are truly admirable people with all of the work that they do with Horizon and their endless hospitality for the volunteers.
Walking into the school and being greeted by dozens of children screaming “Profesora! Inglés!” was always a wonderful way to start the day. In both the classes at the colegio and the private classes at home, it was great to see the student’s desire to learn more and even more wonderful to celebrate in their accomplishments.
While at Horizon, I truly felt like part of the family. Luz, Manuel and their family members always ensured that we were included in everything from birthday parties to nights out with their friends. One of my favorite memories of Trujillo was celebrating the 4th of July with our Peruvian family and friends through a combination of traditions from both the United States and Peru (with help from the German and British volunteers as well!). From dancing salsa to setting off fireworks and eating hamburgers with rice and beans, it was a wonderful way to celebrate and share both of our cultures.
Everyday in Trujillo was a new experience. On a typical day I could teach English in the morning, instruct the school band during the break, go to the beach after school and finish the day having dinner with Manuel, Luz, Emma and the other volunteers. I highly recommend taking part in this wonderful opportunity. shanaefowler@gmail.com
Steve Howe (London, England): I strongly recommend Horizon Peru to anyone willing to give their time to a worthwhile cause. My 2 month stay here is coming to an end, and I only have good things to say about this place.
Luz and Manuel have been more than ‘hosts’, they have been amazing friends, and for this I am grateful. They will welcome you to the home; just today we shared some of the most delicious food Peru has to offer, and it was all cooked by Luz, the host!
The school itself has an exciting vision; to provide English language skills to the young people of La Esperanza, essential to their life prospects, where nothing of this sort has previously existed. My favourite aspect of working here has been the one-on-one teaching with young people who are enthused about learning English. A highlight for me was when we told a local boy, Yordi, that he could come and have free lessons here. His face lit up, and he now continues to show up (earlier and earlier) for class every week, improving all the time.
Another great thing about Horizon is that you have the freedom to create and teach whatever your skills are. The local school is open to arranging classes for whatever topic, and as a result the local kids benefit even more from having volunteers here. I have helped other volunteers teach music, dance, and even acrobatics.
There’s plenty of free time, and the local area is rich in culture and activities. I have had an incredible experience surfing, playing football, enjoying the fiestas, travelling to other sites of interest, learning how to dance to salsa (like a Gringo) and improving my Spanish.
A few months ago I was the one reading this feedback, wondering whether to travel to Trujillo, Peru, and I would urge anyone finding themselves in the same situation now to do it! steve_howe64@hotmail.com
Samson Rudd (Dunedin, New Zealand): I have just finished a five week stay at Horizon School and it was without a doubt the most incredible experience of my life so far. Manuel and Luz were fantastic hosts and did their utmost to make me feel at home in the Horizon house.
I spent my time here working at the local public school. I had three days a week helping out in high school English classes and two days taking primary school students who had just started learning English. The work, especially the with the primary school students can be very challenging but more importantly it is extremely rewarding.
Other highlights for me include learning to surf at Huanchaco, playing football with Manuel’s mates from church, and playing with Emma their two years old daughter.
My time at Horizon School was life changing and I’d definitely recommend this organization to any prospective volunteers.samson.rudd@gmail.com
Christina Janitz (Berlin-Germany): I arrived back in Germany after a great experience in Horizon School in Peru. The community in La Esperanza is very friendly and as a volunteer you are really a part of the everyday life and participate actively. 
Working as a teacher is challenging but in a very positive way. The children who are coming to the house classes are just great, very open and pure. You will love them and they will give you back a lot as well.
Manuel and his family and extremely welcoming, always there for questions, help and, most importantly, a great company. I had the best time with them, they treated me like a true family member. Thinking of them is truly heart-warming for me.
Working for Horizon is a unique learning experience, not just from the teaching aspect but also to learn about South America, a different culture – and to learn about yourself as well. If you volunteer for Horizon School, you will come home and will have changed and improved immensely. I am very glad and thankful for my time in Trujillo.christina.janitz@googlemail.com
Aislinn Cornett (Yukon, Canada): Upon finding Horizon’s website from my home in Whitehorse, Yukon, Canada, I knew the school was an absolute match for me. After the warmth Horizon Founder Manuel Silva extended during our e-mail communication from across the world in La Esperenza, Peru, I knew I couldn’t turn away such an amazing volunteer experience. 
Arriving in a foreign city with a foreign language was an experience in itself, but short hours after departing Lima and arriving in Trujillo, I felt comfortable and welcomed by the entire Horizon family. Despite knowing very minimal Spanish, Manuel’s family and close friends made every effort to communicate with me. I learned very quickly that although learning Spanish would further my experience, a language barrier doesn’t stop one from connecting with others.
With my poco, poco Espagnol, and the students’ little, little English, we definitely had an interesting time communicating! There were many charades and lots of laughs with the 25-30 students enrolled in classes I helped teach at Horizon School. Teaching alongside other volunteers was a great opportunity, as well. I learned to live and work with these volunteers in an environment which was completely new to us. My time at Horizon School not only gave me the opportunity to connect with students, but also to create bonds with other volunteers from around the world.
What struck me most about my time at Horizon was the way in which everybody accepted me. Here I was, a stranger sauntering into this environment, with very little knowledge of the people and culture and yet, everybody welcomed me with open arms. It amazed me to the core to see the trust students, friends and family around Horizon School had in me. Children I had known for less than 24 hours were holding my hand, leading me around the neighbourhood, allowing me into their lives and trusting my friendship. This felt absolutely amazing beyond words!.
I lost track of how many people I saw in a day, and although life was hugely different from home, I found it beautiful to see the value of family and friends remains unchanged despite where you are in the world. Being immersed in this experience taught me so much, but most of all, that the unknown can be a good thing. I wish I had the time to make a larger impact, but small steps are still steps, and the laughs, memories and relationships I made during my time will always be cherished!
I also now have a much better reason to further my Spanish speaking practice: so the next time I return to visit my friends at Horizon, I will be able to greet them in their language and speak fluently. Thank you for this truly wonderful opportunity! Muchas Gracias! shenzi_c@hotmail.com
Mehmet A. Cetinbas (MAC – USA): I came here on February 16th and leaved on March 9th 2009. I would like to tell you a little about my impressions and my mission here. The night I arrived to Trujillo, Manuel and two of his close friends picked me up from the airport with a lot of smile on their faces. I felt right at home the very minute I met Manuel. He is a warm hearted and very helpful, generous individual. His wife Luz is also very kind. 
They put me into their bedroom to sleep while I was in the School/house, Luz went to her mother´s home with 1 year old daughter and Manuel slept on the sofa. I felt so bad about taking their bedroom, but, they insisted and I just could not move to a hotel to stay. I told Manuel he needs more space for the volunteers. He said there is an unfinished 2nd floor but he does not have money to build it up. Since I am a retired Professional Engineer and a Contractor, I told him that I can help him to build the second floor that will add 3 more bedrooms and a large class room or library when finished. He was so excited you could not believe.
Since I depleted my annual contribution to underprivileged, I am planning to raise this money somehow and wondering whether you might be able to assist us to find some volunteers that would take pleasure in helping the underprivileged people here in La Esperanza, one of the poorest neighborhoods of Trujillo. cetinbasm@aol.com
Johan Bergqvist (Sweden): I was volunteering for Horizon School all of November in 2008. I was teaching English in the Horizon House. It was a great experience that I’ll never forget. The kids in La Esperanza are in big need, it could help them a great deal if they learn English.
I have some experiences of volunteering before, and I can tell you that Horizon School is a good organization and La Esperanza a great place to work in. I can also recommend Trujillo as a city to live in; it’s located in the north of Peru, at the coast, with some beautiful beaches, surfing and some amazing archeological monuments from different cultures of Peru. johan2408@hotmail.com
Scott Wagner (U.S.): I was volunteering in Peru making short documentaries for several small volunteer organizations such as Horizon School. 
While staying at Horizon House in La Esperanza for about a week, I had a very pleasant experience working with one other volunteer and Manuel´s wife Luz teaching English in addition to shooting a short video for Manuel´s program. I would recommend anyone volunteering in Trujillo to volunteer with Horizon School,the children are in desperate need for supplementary education. Trujillo is a beautiful city, and volunteering at Horizon School is a great way to spend a part of your time here. scott.wagner@gmail.com
Emma and Leigh Hansen (USA): We had an amazing experience staying with Manuel and his family at Horizon house in La Esperanza and teaching a few classes at the Horizon School. Manuel is very passionate about helping children to learn English and he is great ambassador for the city of Trujillo. From the moment of our arrival we were treated like family and supported in every aspect of our travels.Anyone who has an opportunity to volunteer at Horizon School will have a great time. eportlock@msn.com
Steve Lee (U.S.): While volunteering through another organization called Espaanglisch, I was introduced to Manuel; at that time Manuel was just beginning Horizon School and asked if I would help him get a class together. With the help of Espaanglisch, Manuel and I were able to acquire desks and a white board, which allowed us to create a classroom in his house. Once the classroom was furnished, the next step was to find some students to teach. At first it took some time to obtain students from the surrounding area, but Manuel, as always, worked that Peruvian charm and in no time we had our first class. 
From then on we spent the time in between classes sampling the local cuisine and at times our own concoctions made with ingredients purchased at the nearby markets. Horizon being a grass roots organization allowed for me to experience and get involved with the local community, which led to some moments that I will never forget. slee218@uic.edu
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