Peruvian experiences changes student’s outlook

Beating an alpaca skin drum with a Peruvian Elder, learning how to build and cook traditional food in an earth stove, and tasting guinea pig were just a few of the experiences Chance Roasting of Hobbema had on a 10-day trip to Peru.

Roasting, who was attending school at Tsuu T’ina, was one of five outstanding youth from Calgary and Edmonton area nominated by their schools to participate in an exchange program that introduced students to how Alberta non-governmental organizations help in international development. Paired with five Peruvian youth, the group was immersed in the Peruvian culture as part of the Change Your World Alberta Youth Leadership Tour initiated by the Alberta Council for Global Cooperation.

“Before the trip, I didn’t know what international development was. I understand it now. The world should be focusing more on stuff like that,” Roasting said.

The ACGC, working with the Sombrilla International Development Society, seeks to end poverty and create a just, democratic society that is respectful of both the environment and Indigenous people. The global organization hopes that these young participants will inspire thoughtfulness, action and passion about international cooperation, both locally and on the global stage, through sharing their stories.

After landing in Lima, the group travelled up the mountain to Huaraz where they stayed in three different homes, immersed in the day-to-day life of the local Peruvians. They worked with others who were helping the local people find ways to improve personal hygiene, to bring income through tourism, and building a school.

Driving to Huaraz they saw people struggling to get anything.
“They grow their own food, the more animals they have the more wealthy they are,” Roasting said. They also visited other NGOs, south of Lima, where a school destroyed by an earthquake was being rebuilt.

“The worst part was coming back and experiencing reverse culture shock at how materialistic our world is,” said Roasting.
“My mindset changed. I’m not so materialistic. I moved back to Hobbema and didn’t want to live in the city. Up in the mountains, the scenery was so beautiful and the community was working together. In Calgary, everybody is working on their own.”

Returning to Hobbema, Roasting found a strong parallel between the poverty experienced in both worlds. He sees how starting a chicken farm on the reservation could bring income to the community. He also wants to motivate the younger people to learn their ancestral language.

For the long term, Roasting would like to learn a few trades and work internationally with an organization like the ACGC.

His message to others is clear: “Be more involved in the world. Get out there and do stuff.” Roasting and his fellow travelers will share their experiences in schools throughout the province in a video documentary the group made as part of the Development in a Box program, an Alberta curriculum educational piece, that guides students to becoming citizens of the world.