Five of our students are serving in the upper Rain Forest east of the Andes range. The departamento of Pasco is home to a variety of indigenous people and, curiously, a small population of German immigrants that settled here over a hundred years ago. Jordan volunteers at a comedor in the city of Oxapampa where children come after school to eat lunch, do their homework and have fun. He helps the cooks prepare a meal each morning and spends his afternoons with kids of all ages. The project is funded by Compassion International and is operated by the Alliance Missionary Church located next door.

Michael and Zach volunteer at a fair trade coffee and fruit company, Chanchamayo Highland Products, in nearby La Merced, Departamento of Junin. This innovative enterprise pays farmers prices far above market if they agree to clean up their land and employ organic practices. In addition to preparing fruit preserves and roasting coffee beans, the two students travel to local schools to educate rural residents about the importance of protecting our planet.

Marlys and Julia live on a coffee plantation that employs sustainable practices near the community of San Chirio. The owners of the farm grow coffee beans, avocados, bananas, yucca and other rain forest crops. Their cloud forest locale is a paradise for local flora and fauna, including the wild cutpe we devoured during our visit.