I now have the privilege to look at REPU from a higher altitude.
I find myself eager to chat with all of the 18 mentees. I also found myself thinking what had worked for some in the past, so as to implement good practices with the current trainees.
When I find myself with time to think about REPU I realize all the ideas are about how to they can learn from us – and here "us" means all the other Peruvians that have decided to invest in young Peruvian undergraduates.
I see REPU under the education umbrella. It has been a few weeks since I realized that all we are trying to do, our effort and invested time, is for them.
Having realized that is all about the mentees, I finally understood what the mission of all my teachers have been.
Throughout school, my teachers invested many hours on my education. They did receive a wage but still they had my interest in their hearts.
Even during college and Ph.D. there were people that with little in return share their time and knowledge with me.
I have a new understanding about education, and it is that education is about them: the students.
Yet, there is "work for a living" and "teach for a wage". Privilege overshadows all aspects of life – how did I not realized it in the past?
When the teacher is in economic need, and their profession of choice was due to "work for a living", the outcome is still to provide a service to the students... fortunately.