Some people make photo slideshows, others write diaries - I was just messing around with a few lines and came up with this poem. I haven't written it for any special purpose other than to remember how I feel about PSF, having just left a couple of weeks ago. I hope you like it. 

An Ode to Pisco Sin Fronteras 

It’s not the first town on the list,
To see, explore or plan to stay,
But take a look around the place,
You’ll see some magic every day.

For Pisco has a special vibe,
Where volunteers donate their time,
To build and teach and do some good,
In streets of dirt and noise and grime.

Around the world they come to help,
For months or weeks or just a day,
But after just a short time here,
It’s likely that they’ll want to stay.

To contribute to PSF,
And local folk who don’t have much,
To build a table or some chairs,
Or better still a rabbit hutch.

A concrete floor or sturdy roof,
Are standard things in our dear West,
But here they mean a better life,
To build anew the family nest.

Can we pretend to understand,
How it must be to have a life,
Where filthy water is the norm,
Amidst the other daily strife?

Well even if the answer’s no,
There’s still so much that can be done,
Just take a look at PSF,
Whose work and jobs are bound to stun.

I’m proud to say that I was there,
To dig and lift and shovel dirt,
And come back after work each day,
With tired legs and arms that hurt.

For each and every one of us,
Must stand up tall and make a change,
And not be scared of being wrong,
As such great things are in our range.

So good luck PSF et al.,
Continue with your worthy quest,
Your ceaseless work and selfless help,
Show human kindness at its best.


Oliver Buckley
Volunteer September to November 2024