True happiness isn't a fleeting feeling but to answer to your true identity

If you had asked the group this morning what their favorite sound was, they definitely wouldn't have said "a brass trumpet!"

To keep spirits high and shake things up, we decided to wake the kids today with full on trumpet blasts. It definitely got them out of bed, though the morning quiet at the breakfast table said it all: fatigue has officially set in. Heads were heavy, eyes were half open, and conversation was minimal. But as always, once they got some food in their system, their resilient spirits kicked back in!

When we pulled up to the casa de abuelos, a giant tower of bright red bricks was waiting for us outside. No time was wasted!

One team dedicated themselves to the everyday running of the care home. They rolled up their sleeves to scrub bathrooms, assist the nurses, and keep the spaces clean and comfortable for the residents.

This was a monumental day for the builders: they started work on the roof! A human chain was formed to pass bricks up onto the roof structure, lining them up precisely across the wooden beams they had prepared over the past few days. It is slow, meticulous work that requires total concentration.

Working on the roof has its perks, the view of the surrounding volcanoes is nothing short of breathtaking! But the trade off is the blistering Peruvian sun. We made sure the volunteers rotated frequently, stayed hydrated, and kept their focus high.

Seeing the physical progress of the building is giving the kids a massive boost. They are realizing that this new structure isn't just a construction project; it will be a spacious, comfortable, and dignified dining hall (comedor) for elders who desperately need a better space to eat and gather.

As lunchtime approached, the home crew helped gather the residents into the dining room. Sitting with them while they ate, reinforced why we are doing all this hard labor.

Once the residents were fed, the construction team, who had already set up the tables for our own lunch, gathered together in the courtyard. Lunch was slightly delayed today, but nobody minded. It turned into a wonderful, unhurried moment of sitting in the sun, chatting, and laughing together.

When the food finally arrived, it was a massive hit: Arroz Chaufa! (For context, it is the mouthwatering Peruvian version of Chinese fried rice…just don't tell a Peruvian purist I described it that way, or they might get offended!)

After lunch, with our paperwork finally sorted out, we were able to split the group into two dedicated teams:

Stepping inside the state run orphanage was a sobering experience. The facility feels far more like an institutional labyrinth than a warm home. (Please note: to respect and protect the children's privacy, no photos were taken during our stay.)

Before we met the kids, the director gave us a brief background on their lives. These young children have survived unimaginable pain: abandonment, parents in prison, severe neglect, or abuse. Every single story was heartbreaking.

Our volunteers jumped right in. First came homework duty, our teenagers had to stay sharp to make sure no clever kids tried to claim they had "already finished" their work! Then, they helped deep clean the playroom areas.

Once the chores were done, the energy exploded into beautiful, joyful chaos! The courtyard turned into a frenzy of squealing kids and laughing volunteers playing football, hide and seek, and tag. For a few hours, our team gave these children what they needed most: undivided attention, safety, and pure, unfiltered fun.

Meanwhile, the 11 volunteers who stayed back at the construction site worked at such a blistering, relentless pace that the maestros (foremen) could barely keep up setting up the wooden scaffolding! They finished their heavy labor ahead of schedule and spent the remaining time helping the nurses feed the elderly residents their dinner.

Back at the retreat house, after well-deserved showers, we gathered for our second deep personal reflection. Tonight’s topic was as beautiful as it was challenging: Happiness.

At 16, youth is often bombarded with messages about what "happiness" should look like, usually tied to social media, material things, or approval from others. Tonight, we gently pushed them to dig much deeper, asking questions like: Where do you truly look for happiness? What does a full, meaningful life actually look like to you? What obstacles are holding you back from being truly happy today?

Above all: What kind of happiness do I actually need?

We explored the idea that to be truly fulfilled, we must learn to:

1. Know ourselves deeply
2. Accept ourselves with tenderness
3. Love ourselves profoundly

True happiness isn't a fleeting feeling; it is responding to your true identity, discovering its unique beauty, and living up to your inherent dignity.

Seeing your teenagers sit in thoughtful silence, grappling with questions that many adults spend a lifetime trying to answer, was remarkable. They went to sleep tonight with full hearts, tired muscles, and plenty of profound thoughts to process.