Emotional Intelligence | Stevehein.com

 

Edson

I met Edson when I went to EIGER, which is supposed to be an educational NGO. I was waiting in the coordinator's office when I overheard him saying something about the place being more like a business than an NGO. The coordinator immediately got defensive and said something like "It is not a business. You have to understand that we have to cover our expenses. Where else can you study for this price?" He protested some more and thenn gave up and left. I was about ready to go myself so I packed up my things quickly and caught him in the hallway. I asked him what was going on and he told me the whole story. Later I may put in the details of that story but I want to make sure I give a summary of some other things he told me.

He suggested we go sit down in the food court across the highway and talk, so we did. I was pleased that he suggested this, because I also wanted to sit down and talk. It is rare to find someone in Peru who challenges anyone in authority.

Anyhow here are some other things he told me.

Paying the church

 


Paying the church

He told me that when his brother wanted to get married in the Catholic church, they told him it would cost 1,000 soles for the wedding.

He also told me you have to pay for first communions, baptisms and funerals.


Matar El Demonio

Edson told me a funny story about a time he went to the Dios es Amor church. He said the priest told the people they were going to "kill the devil" and he gave them all paper swords. Then the people acted like they were killing the devil. After a while the priest said "Ok, now we have killed the devil and it is time to give our thanks to the lord." Then he told them that in each sword there was a place to put a donation. And the people did it, of course.

Here is a voice recording of Edson telling me the story.