Meet the Corona crew !
Episode 3 : Kayla

We find ourselves in a unique situation at EV with a very stable crew: the whole team has been here for at least 3 months now! We would like to introduce you to this ‘Corona Crew’, today in the spotlight: Kayla!

Kayla (15) is the daughter of Douwe and Olivia. She was born in Ecuador and moved with her parents to Peru when she was 5 years old. Last year Kayla lived in Pucallpa to go to school there, but due to Corona this year she moved back to EV. This is unlucky for her but the volunteers are very pleased with this situation: Kayla is an excellent cook and she provides us with the best lunch meals every weekday now!

Here comes the rest her interview:

What do you like about the jungle?

I suppose it is the simplicity but at the same time the complicated way of life itself in the jungle. The way everything inside the jungle has a role to play. Yet it’s still as simple as instinct (I hope you understand what I mean).

What is your favorite animal/species?

Capuchins because they are incredibly smart and just a tad evil, plus they have very complicated characters and never forget someone that treats them well. But also squirrel monkeys because they are amazing, small, beautiful and very loyal, fierce and brave.  

What did you learn by growing up in the jungle?

Lots of things: empathy, love for anything and everything. You learn to be strong in many aspects. But I guess one of the most important ones is learning to appreciate the simple things and make do with what you got (although that is more something you learn by living in the village).

Can you give an example of a Dutch personality trait you developed because you were raised by Dutch parents? 

Not really, it is so mixed that I couldn’t tell where I got certain traits from. I may have developed an open mind.

What do you like about living in Peru compared to the Netherlands?

Everything! I love the heat, the warm culture, and the traditions that are full of love, the kindness of the people, the simple way of life, the way we just take everything as it comes in Peru and worry about it when we get there. I don’t like the cold culture in the Netherlands that much. The fact that people care more about just going through the days and don’t stop at the simple things anymore. I also don’t like the way that everyone just cares about themselves in the trains or in the streets.

What would make EV nicer in your opinion?

Hard question… I think, a better separation between the enclosures and the buildings, better quality and setup inside the volunteer house (in an architectural kind of way) and maybe some more contact with the local culture (up until a certain point).

What is your favorite thing to do in your free time?

Definitely read and cook. If a book is really good, you’ll see me walking around with it for a while.

What do you do first when you go to the Netherlands?

Eat sausages, pickles and whipped cream. I know what you are thinking, and no, I do not eat them together. Oh, and I immediately miss the heat of Peru and properly cooked rice.

Do you see yourself living in Peru in the coming years? 

No.

What would you do with 5000 soles?

I would find a way to finance studies for my friends (don’t ask me how because I have absolutely no idea how to do that with only 5000 soles).

If you would have your own restaurant, what would definitely be on the menu?

Anticuchos (chicken or meat on sticks, chicken stomach, feet, liver, or heart), ceviche, arroz a la cubana, aji de gallina and cachangas.