So today was the first day we put our plans for the Community Action Project, or CAP for short, to work. Although we didn’t climb any volcanoes, get our hands dirty at a farm, or pet any cute and cuddly animals, the group had a lot of fun cleaning and beautifying a space at the corner of a little neighborhood called Manuelita Saenz. These past few weeks, we’ve worked hard in teams to tackle this big project; the outreach group (in charge of advertising), the landscape and infrastructure groups (working hard to design a layout for the area), the beautification/mural group (a group dedicated not only to painting a mural but also the the overall beautification of the space), and lastly the finance group (who worked hard to best put our donations to use and managed our budget). The progress we made today exceeded our expectations. The cooperation of our group was something that can only be seen from groups that share an inherent and unshakable bond. That was demonstrated without question today. The communication between us, the leaders of the day, and the group members were present throughout the project even though one of us (Allen) was out for the day after getting a bit sick. As a group, we demonstrated great responsibility and a healthy work ethic.
As soon as we got to the site, the hard work began. We teamed up to clear all the garbage, glass, and weeds from the space and as soon as that was done, the beautification group got right to work priming the wall for our mural. Meanwhile, the rest of the group members helped to further clear the area of debris and prep the space for the plants and benches that are yet to be put into place. Although we came across a few obstacles, such as the roly-poly infested walls, or the fact that we couldn’t dispose of the weeds and garbage the way we had planned; we strategized as a team and managed to work around the obstacles. We did find some interesting things while cleaning, some quite disturbing; but we managed to clean everything up in preparation for tomorrow. Also, while working, we felt like quite the celebrities as a local news station came by to interview a few group members about our project. This great excitement carried the group through the rest of the day’s work and all the way to dinner, where we all huddled around a TV anxiously waiting to see each other on screen.
Also, today’s English classes concluded our teaching here in Riobamba. Our students were just as sad to see us go as we were to leave but after taking lots of pictures and exchanging contact information, we invited them to our talent show this Thursday. We really enjoyed teaching our students from Riobamba and I think it was a great learning experience for everybody. I think the whole group would agree that we, the teachers, gained a lot from the experience and really felt that we did something positive for the community. So although today’s classes were a sad goodbye, it was great to see how much our efforts were appreciated by our students.
Shoutouts:
To Alondra: I miss you so much! Reading your letters is the highlight of each day. I’m really looking forward to seeing you for a few days, even briefly. I love you.
To my family: Today we started the community work that I had been talking about. Today mostly consisted of gardening/cleaning out the area. The work was pretty laborious, but I enjoyed seeing the progress being made. Also, my ankle is absolutely fine! Love you guys!
-Arjun
Hi Amma and Appa!
Could you look for a place where I an retake calc? Either over summer or during the first semester EVC finishes an entire year in one semester! Also did report cards come home? I miss you all!
-Sandhya
Hey family and friends! Today was awesome bc I was on TV! I was interviewed and I was also in the background a lot. It was kinda funny how they misspelled my name. Lol. But it was kind of sad today because we ended the English classes today. Some of my students wanted to follow me on Facebook, but I said I couldn’t have a Facebook account :c. Although we did take pics together, which was awesome. I’ll show you them when I get back!
-Abbie
Hey Mom and Takeo, and Abuelita and Tata! I miss you guys sooooo much! Today was such a bitter sweet day because it was my last day teaching English to little Ecuadorian children. They were all so cute and I can’t wait to tell you about them and show you pictures of them. Talk to you soon!
-Licette
To Helena’s family& friends: We had out last English tutoring class today and it was so sad 🙁 We took soo many pictures of the class and a bunch of students came up to us asking if they could add us on Facebook- They’re so cute and I’m going to miss them so much! I hope you’re all having a great day/night and I love you!
-Laynie
Hey mom, dad and Ambar! One day down 3 to go 🙂 I miss you guys and OTIS! We started our CAP project and I’m leading of the day tomorrow so Ambar you can be happy now LOL. Love you guys and see you Saturday. (I leave Friday night!)
-Jordan
Hallo Mama! I war heute “El Lider del Dia” fuehr unser CAP Project! Als ich gestern “Leader” wurde musste ich ein Talent vorfuehren. Mein partner und ich brachten der Klasse bei wie man deutsche Schimpfwoerter sagt und Ich lehrte ihnen das wort Rindfleischetikettiersungsueberwachungsaufgabenuebertragungsgesetz und das fanden sie sehr lustig. Ich geniesse meine Zeit hier in Ecuador aber ich habe Geschenke fuer euch und ich freue mich euch wieder zu sehen.
Deine Marlene <3
Didn’t get your s/o yesterday. Was disappointing even though I got to hear you. Was really good hearing your voice though. Perrippa/perrimma/Anna have left. We missed you. Nikhil & you are so similar. He’s grown up..am looking forward to seeing you this weekend
Hi Helena,
Reading your blog has become my start of the day item. I really enjoy reading about your adventures ! I hope you have been taking lots of pictures – I would love to see them !
Love, Ann
Hi Laynie!
Can’t wait for you to come home! Still, in the mean time, enjoy your last days in Riobamba and make the most of it!
<3<3<3
Hey Arjun, miss you too. Hope our busy schedules allow for that. Work is getting a little overwhelming. I have the morning shift, afternoon, and stacked privates. I may even help out with the swim team. It’s really fun though. It’s great that you started the community project! See ya soon!
hey Champ
Me da gusto saber que estan haciendo bond entre todos los glipmpsers y estan haciendo algo por una comunidad trabajando en equipo. Al leer este blog recorde cuando estabas chuquito y te gustaba jugar con las roly-poly , recuerdas? Y tambien te gustaba agarrar y acariciar aranas. Como siempre aqui estoy escribiendote llegando del trabajo. Espero estes tomando muchas fotos. Cuidate y siguete divirtiendo , te quiero mucho Champ. Recibe besos y abrazos de toda la familia
It looks like it was a fabulous day yesterday. I look forward seeing pictures from the team’s efforts on the CAP project! As you can see everyone in Belgium and the U.S. is following the Global Glimpse adventures. Please enjoy your last few days in Ecuador. I will fly to the Bay Area next Wednesday and look forward to it!
Hi Marlene,
Es freut mich dass es dir gut geht und die Erfahrungen die du dort machst sind sicher einzigartig. Wirfreuen und auch schön wenn du wiederzu Hause bist. Wenn du spezielle Essenswünsche hast für Samstag lass es mich wissen. Love Mama
Can you bring a costco pizza to the airport??? 😀
can you bring a costco pizza to the airport 😀 ?¿?¿?¿
Hey Abbie this is Haley. I tried out for Sleeping Beauty that the Markhams are putting on. At first I don’t think I did that well on singing so mom made me go back to their house which I am thankful for. First of all I felt like I sang better and after that I got to say hi to their chickens. I got to hold them and I even found 2 eggs that I gave to Mrs. Markham. Then Maddie, Avery, Reagan, and I lied on their hammock and just talked. I even got the feeling that she was going to give me the role of Aurora, but I will find out tomorrow evening which is Thursday because today is Wednesday. I am so excited to find out what I got!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 🙂 🙂 🙂
-Haley
Hi Marlene!
Great job on the blog. You have had quite an adventure and put in a lot of hard work! Sounds like you made some life long friends while you were at it, awesome! Can’t wait to see pics and hear all about it! Big love!
Thank you for the post Marlene and Allen. It sounds like you Glimpsers are becoming quite the celebrities around Riobamba. What a great project you are working on! I’m sure it will keep you busy the next few days. I look forward to seeing the finished product. Licette-Can’t wait to see the pictures of your students. I’m glad you enjoyed your time teaching them. I’ll pass your message along to Abuelita. She’s been asking me if you saw her post :). Love you so much!
Hi Helena,
We are so proud of you and your accomplishments. Enjoy these last couple days out there. 🙂
Sandhu
No report cards yet. I’m sure it’ll be great. Math and grades can wait. There is more in life to learn in Equador than you’ll learn in any of the books. We’ll see you soon.
Appa
From one Appa to another: perfect answer
Wonderful post Marlene and Allen. The project sounds fabulous. What amazing work you did. I can only imagine how tough it was to say goodbye to your students. Glad some fb connections were made. I’m sure you’ll start a Riobamba 6/8 page when you return.
Arjun so glad your ankle is better! So so sorry we missed your call if you’re able to call again do try my cell if you don’t catch us at home
Love, Amma
hola chaparrito!!!que tal estuvo el trabajo duro??cuantas cochinillas agarraste??estoy feliz de saber que estas aprendiendo muchas cosas.cuidate mucho te queremos y extranamos mucho mmuuuaaahhhh!!!!!!!
Great blog and nice work Glimpsers.
Speaking for all family members, we’re very excited to hear about your adventures.
See you Saturday Marcus
Love
Jordán: we had fusion today, and I missed you like CRAZY..nothing has been the same, lol by you best believe that I’ve been waiting for you to be the leader of the day since day one!!! And I will be stoked to read your blog! I love you potato, Come home!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I haven’t started OITNB or watched Jurassic World, I kept my promise and we’ll start our Netflix binge when you get here and we have plans w Steph and Cris to go watch the movie!!!!
Te quiero cipote, y no sabes la gran falta que me haces!!! Pero estoy orgullosa de ti y de tus logros!!
Ámbar
um…where your blog at though?!
HI Erica!
Hope you are enjoying these experiences. Can’t wait to see you. 🙂 🙂
Love,
Mimi
Maddie –
I hope you receive this message. Enjoy your last few days in Ecuador. We are so very proud of you and can not wait for you to share your experience with us.
Safe travels to you all!
Love,
Mama Anne
Abbie! Miss you lots and cant wait for you to come back! Sounds like you are having a wonderful time and working hard. So cool you were on TV(sadly I dont get that channel on my tv). In case you were wondering here’s what’s goin on back in SJ: warriors won the championships, US advances in world cup:), I taught Phoebe how to paddle board, got a new minivan, and Im volunteering at a horse stables. The pony’s name is Abbie and she has replaced you, jk. Rest of the Dinsdales say hi too. See you soon.