My trip to South America left an indelible mark on me, and my emails back to Australia to the children in our small (34 pupils) school enabled them to share the experience and follow my trip, researching on the internet the places I was visiting.

On returning, laden with artefacts and unusual, unique Peruvian souvenirs, the children’s infectious enthusiasm was easily used as motivation in my art program.

They explored the colour spectrum and the use of pure colour as they made the colourful flags of the Quechua and Aymara people who live high in the Andes.                

The children observed and researched the Inca designs on souvenirs and the meaning and significance of the Andean cross. They learned the importance of the Puma, Condor and snake to that culture. They then used this knowledge and the patterns observed as the basis for decorating their own Andean Cross.  At their request Grade 2/3 then scanned, reduced, printed and laminated them, so they could wear them as necklaces!

Our ‘clay work’ unit for Grades 2/3 and 4/5/6 saw the children making pots and medallions. The brilliant picture story book “The Voyage of the Poppy Kettle” by Robert Ingpen was revisited and several pots and pieces of clay work brought home were used as starting points for inspiration in this unit.

My passion for this unique place and culture was certainly ‘caught’ by the children and was reflected in their enthusiasm and in the quality of work they produced.

Our school continues to correspond (emailing and sending goods) with the small community of Cachicatta in the Sacred Valley (altitude 2800 metres a.s.l). This began through my tour leader who is the President of this community.