Llama’s Visit Teaches Children About Peru

It’s not unusual for schoolchildren to bring their cats, dogs and hamsters to class for show and tell.

But it’s not every day that a llama--an animal native to South America--drops by for a visit.

So when Homer the llama showed up Thursday morning at Dearborn Street Elementary School in Northridge, more than 500 students, ranging from kindergarten through fifth grade, made a new friend and learned about Peruvian culture at the same time.

Homer was the main feature in a school exhibit about Peru. The 5-year-old animal, on loan from a farm in Reseda, helped celebrate the opening of the school’s multicultural display center.

“We wanted something exciting and important to show kids about different world cultures,” said Alice Leon, Dearborn’s multicultural committee chairwoman. “Since our first exhibit is about the country of Peru, bringing Homer was perfect.”

According to school officials, children of more than 20 nationalities attend Dearborn. Leon and her husband, Raul, a native of Peru, were instrumental in setting up the school’s multicultural display center. They hope to showcase a different country each month.

Outside, Homer stood patiently with his handler while groups of students and teachers lined up to pet him, listen to Andean music and eat homemade Peruvian cookies. Others peered into glass cases containing colorful native clothing as well as plates, musical instruments and wall hangings called arpilleras.

“The earlier one learns about other cultures, the easier it is for the child to accept people different from himself,” Leon said.