Recently, whilst flattening out a patch of desert on which to pour a concrete floor, the team of the project I’m currently working on got into a pretty heated (and sandy) discussion about PSF’s vision and mission as an organization, particularly with regard to the role of communication between PSF volunteers and the people of Pisco. 
Our mission statement includes: “PSF empowers local people and volunteers from all over the world to build a stronger Pisco.”  While the projects we undertake, like home construction, distributing free wood, and making biodiesel, currently build fabulous connections between between local people and international volunteers, some of us felt that there is an opportunity to turn up the dial on these relationships through increased use of the language that most local people speak. 
Our team asked ourselves, what concrete (teehee) actions can we implement, given (1) the relatively small amount of time that remains outside of our project work, and (2) the varied level of Spanish language experience among our volunteer base, to get us all speaking more Spanish, and thus, open up the possibility of richer direct verbal communication with local individuals to a wider number of volunteers?  Our answer to that is an initiative that excites me a great deal, which we termed Conversaciones de confianza (“CDC”).

Conversaciones de confianza aims to provide a platform for us volunteers to practice speaking Spanish in a non-intimidating, confidence-boosting environment (hence the name, which means “Conversations of Confidence” for those of you who haven’t had a chance to participate yet ).  Each morning, before volunteers sign up for projects, project leaders have the option to designate their projects “CDC”, meaning that they and those who sign up that day will commit to speaking in Spanish on site during lunch  (a meal we’re often fortunate enough to be provided with by the families on whose houses we’re working) and in the final hour or two of the days’ work.  It responds to the issue (1) of time restriction outside of projects, by including Spanish practice in the fabric of project work, and issue (2) of our unequal levels of Spanish proficiency, by treating all involved parties’ (volunteers and locals alike) combined knowledge of the language as a pooled resource from which we all can draw.

Don’t know the word for “shovel”?  Can’t remember which word is “spoon” and which is “knife”? (cuchara and cuchillo, respectively...trips me up a good deal)  There’s a good chance that one of your project mates does, or, better yet, you can ask someone from the family whose house you’re working on.  This type of seemingly-trivial “How do you say...?” question has segued into many a remarkably in-depth conversation in the short time my team has been CDC-ing.  Even though none of us on this project are fluent Spanish speakers and some had our first exposure to the language when we arrived in Peru quite recently, we’ve been able to delve into initially semi-daunting topics like local politics! and religion! and family dynamics! with Flor, the woman whose house will sit on the concrete floor we’re making. 

While this initiative is admittedly still in its nascent stages, I’ve been quite stoked on the micro level progress of my current project’s team.  An extraordinary part of PSF as an organization is the empowerment its volunteers are afforded—everyone is encouraged to step up, share ideas, and get moving on new projects they’d like to see put in place.  This empowerment is a driving force in the work we do and a fundamental element of our vision: “a Pisco with adequate housing, sanitation and education for all, in which everyone has the opportunity to shape their own future,” and is one of the reasons I am downright enthusiastic about this group!

Like the sounds of PSF’s work and want to get involved?  Come volunteer with us or contribute to realizing our vision through a donation.  Many, many thanks in advance!