The Magic of the Malla

Something incredibly special happens each morning I walk through the gates of Colegio Miguel Pro. I call it “the magic of the malla.” First we should cover the question: “What is a malla?” Tacna is a desert, so in order to create a space for outdoor events like recess, lunch assemblies, play days, etc. schools have enormous awnings over their patios. I have yet to see a school in Tacna without a malla. No one wants students to melt through their uniforms. Also important to note: in addition to normal heat from the Atacama (driest desert in the world), there is a hole in the ozone layer above Peru. Practically, the malla is important for sun protection; however, it serves a much bigger purpose. Our malla is in the center of school, so it is where all the action happens. My two favorite times of the day, lunch and recess, happen under the malla. It is where relationships are formed—through conversation, through play, and through sharing a meal. It is where people meet. I’ve been introduced to coworkers, parents and friends under the malla… I was also presented to the whole school at a Monday morning assembly under the malla.

            As soon as I walk through the gates, I am under the care of the malla, and I am carried through my day. My work at Miguel Pro, like most things in Peru (and missionary life), got off to a slow start. [If you would like to read more about our changing roles at Miguel Pro and my job description, read the bracketed text below. If you want to skip the details read on here.] Yet, I’m finding that the best way to describe my days here is full. They are full of tiny moments like those that happen under the malla. Each morning I get to unwrap the surprise gift from God that is the day. Instead of planning my day, I open myself up to the tiny treasures waiting to be discovered. On the days I don’t wake up with sage-like positivity, I grumpily roll out of bed and walk down the street to school. When my hair is a damn mess and I’m clutching my cup of instant coffee like a lifeline, I’m greeted with a smile and a hug from a primary student. I hear “Good morning, Miss” from the kids in high school. I receive welcoming smiles from the faculty and staff. When I feel like I can’t handle it all, I take a deep breath, and I let myself be carried through the day. I am full. I’m full of joy and sadness, hope and frustration, energy and exhaustion. I’m so full that everything spills out of me in a messy, beautiful service. It feels so natural, so necessary, this giving of self. I’ve never experienced such authenticity in my service before. Without overanalyzing or prematurely putting meaning to my experiences here. Just living. Joyfully losing myself in daily service of others. I’m full of gratitude.
I think Pope Francis describes this phenomenon of service better than me, so I’ll leave it to him. “For all our limitations, gestures of generosity, solidarity and care cannot but well up within us since we are made for love.” (Laudato Si, no. 58)

[I arrived in late November, but did not start teaching classes until mid-March.  In the past, volunteers comprised almost the entire English team at Miguel Pro. I expected a full load and very busy schedule. However, Miguel Pro is currently in a major transition. This is our first year as a state school (rather than a private, Jesuit school). With some major changes and restructuring that include a new, state-mandated English program (rather than the program traditionally created by the volunteers), everyone has been searching for their places. With new people and regulations, the faculty and staff are relearning how to work together and how we serve our students. How to retain the values and mission of Colegio Miguel Pro while meeting new state requirements is the question of the year.

            Therefore, the volunteers’ roles are also changing. With the new English program we’re not allowed to teach since we are not government-certified teachers. So for our first month my fellow volunteer and I were both classroom aids to one Peruvian English teacher. Three teachers in one classroom following a very specific government-made classroom plan. The math does not exactly add up to a full, busy teaching load. Since then, we’ve figured a few things out. The other volunteer and I split time helping in the high school. (I help with second year and fourth year.) We also have our own English talleres in primary (special, fun classes at the end of the day like art, music, PE and computer). I also coach volleyball for the girls in the high school (and also help a little with the parents’ volleyball team). We’re also hoping to get the pastoral ministry program back up and running. God molded my frustrations about the new English program and finding my place into faith and hope.]