Tacna comes to an end.

So today marks the end of our 3 days of leadership training in Tacna. We have had an absolutely amazing time, and really treasured seeing young people starting to take the lead and gain confidence in their abilities. We particularly enjoyed watching the human knot and allowing the groups to create a game using any resources available - the variety of games they created were fantastic!

We have been thoroughly spoilt whilst in Tacna - receiving many fantastic and often homemade gifts including llama hats, tacna pin badges to add to our growing collection on our neckers, and an amazing locally brewed and produced wine made by one of our participants - she was very keen to see our reactions.

Having no kitchen facilities has also enabled us to try some traditional Peruvian dishes including Chifa (Peruvian Chinese), Ceviche (fish cooked by the acid in lemon juice) and Salchi Papa (chips with frankfurter sausage). The group have enjoyed trying the local delicacies and introducing our translators to marmite!

We were asked to organise a campfire to end the training and we were excited to find participants from both the morning and afternoon sessions as well as members from the local scout and guide groups. Making a campfire with kindling one foot long was somewhat challenging but in true GOLD style we made a fire to be proud of! We shared many classic campfire songs and chants, with particular favourites being oggie oggie oggie and campfire burning proving language was no barrier. We were treated to marshmallows, cake and an amazing hot chocolate before finishing with a Peruvian favourite Goodbye song to the tune of and Auld Lang Syne followed by our choice of Go Well and Safely.

We will be sad to leave Tacna and the friendships we have made but excited for the next stage of our project with the National Board for Guias Scouts del Peru.