I can’t take my eyes off the women. They are so stunning in their wool skirts and their top hats that sit high up on their heads. I pretend to be active while I stare at them. One woman in particular is wearing a white top hat and the sun is coming through the window and shining only on her. Her white hat is glowing above her rich dark skin. She has no idea how beautiful I find her right now.

The women are gathered for Talleres which is a handi-craft collective. Peru’s Challenge organized the Talleres three years ago to give the women a means to earn money. They are given wool or material and they produce the crafts to sell. A portion of the money goes to the individual and a portion goes to the community.

The Talleres has not met for a few months following the school break and the women are like giddy girls. Understanding this, Iris (the famous social worker) has the women play a game before coming inside. We form two lines out on the grass and when she says “GO!” we hurriedly pass a ball of wool between our legs. The person in the back runs to the front and continues to pass the ball. Some women run, some walk, some stroll. We are squealing and falling, and mostly we are laughing. We are laughing so hard. It is so wonderful to laugh with the women who often appear so serious.