As the sun rose over the Andes Mountains, Sacred Heart Greenwich students and faculty began each day in the heart of a small Peruvian town, Ollantaytambo, immersing themselves in the rich local culture. From June 13 to June 22, Ms. Joyce Reed, Upper School Science Teacher, and Ms. Jillian Wolf, Upper School Librarian, led 12 Upper and Middle School students on an engaging service trip to Peru. For nine days, students completed community service projects, visited local schools, and explored significant cultural and historical landmarks, including Machu Picchu. The trip allowed students to immerse themselves culturally, guided by the Sacred Heart Goals and Criteria.
Each day offered a unique opportunity for students to engage with different aspects of Peruvian life. The group’s schedule included volunteering at schools, learning about traditional weaving practices, and exploring the historical and cultural sites surrounding Ollantaytambo. The balance between service and exploration allowed students to better understand the intersection of history, culture, and community in Peru. Junior Camilla Pazmino shared her favorite experience and how the trip educated students about historical and cultural landmarks.
“For me, the highlight of the trip was visiting Machu Picchu,” Camilla said. “It was so amazing seeing how the Incas built this incredible site and being able to have a wonderful tour guide that explained the history very well.”
Students engaged with local customs and culture, usually starting their day with a group meeting, then going to a daily activity, such as volunteering at a school, learning about weaving communities, or exploring the town and historical sites around them. Students particularly enjoyed going to a local school and helping to teach and play with the children. Specifically, students had the chance to participate in group activities with kids aged 9 to 11 in their classrooms daily. Students were able to bond with each of the kids and use their Spanish language skills.
Beyond visiting famous landmarks, the trip emphasized cultural immersion and language practice. For many students, these experiences expanded their global perspective and deepened their respect for the culture and people they encountered. Camilla described how impactful it was to interact with locals and explore local culture.
“This trip contained a lot of cultural immersion as we were able to learn and talk to locals in their language, Spanish, and we also watched their parades that included dancing, singing, and people dressed up in traditional outfits,” Camilla said. “It was so amazing to see how diverse and traditional the culture was in the town we stayed in, Ollantaytambo.”
This service trip reflects Sacred Heart’s commitment to Goal III, “a social awareness which impels to action.” Students dedicated their time to helping in local schools, connecting with children, and participating in community-based learning. Camilla shared what made one day in particular stand out.
“I think this trip embodied Goal III […] since we spent a lot of time bonding with locals and even helping out some of the people in need,” Camilla said. “For example, the day we went to school, we helped students during class time and played with them during activity time. Also, this trip brought the all group together and built lasting friendships.”
Featured Image by Avery Quake ’26
