Family, Friends, and Visitors, today was another wonderful day in Ecaduor! My name is Marissa Allison. We started off the day with our mental warm up, where we discussed the partner we would be visiting, Rosario “Charito” Salas. We arrived at her sisters house to a warm home and welcoming arms. We were shown the two rooms we would be having a traditional Ecuadorian breakfast in. Fisrt we were given a boiled egg, then an “humito” which was a made from corn, similar to a tamale. In the Quechua language, “huma” means corn. We were then given an empanada, which was filled with gooey delicious cheese. After breakfast we were welcomed into her sisters living room where Charito explained her moving story of sustainability.
Charito had been living at the base of a volcano. She had an incredible organic business as well as restaraunt and home. She lived there with her son who was a great partner in the running of her business until 1999. The volcano that was close to her home began to erupt, this became living in that area impossible. The river near thier home was filled with the toxins, dirt and ash which pushed people to leave the area. For almost 10 years she did not have a place to call home and her son had to move to Switzerland to have another job to help support her. She was able to sign up with an organiztion, Esquel, that gave her and many others land in Puelas. She has made a huge impact and continues to be committed to environmental sustainablity as well as organic farming.
HI loving family and friends! My name is Sara and I was one of the Lider del Dia for our day of deconstructing poverty as well as aid & development. For those of you who are wondering, the weather here has been great. Foggy mornings and clear days with very minimum rain and never too cold. To start out the second half of the day, we came back to La Primavera for an hour of much needed rest and refueling. We then met up all together to start the design phase of our CAP (Community Action Project). We split into two groups. One group is designing and constructing a roof and ceiling for a classroom, and the other will be painting a mural in the recreation room of the four different regions of Ecuador complete with the animals and plants of each region.
We began preparations for our proposal presentation to the school we are working with. More details to come after our presentation tomorrow. At 3:45 we went to our second session of English tutoring filled with both fun and challenges.
To prepare for our very early morning tomorrow, we combined our seminar with yet another wonderful dinner after teaching. We also, received the shocking news that we had been left with no electricity or hot water in order to fully immerse ourselves in the experience of living like a majority of the world’s population because we will be working like a local tomorrow with an Indigenous community. Although this will be a challenge for me as well as my peers, I look forward to bringing home immense gratitude for the things I know we all take for granted.
We finished our day by reviewing our questions pertaining to our time with our moving, strong, inspiring speaker who radiated postivity. We also shared in a group reflection our thoughts about poverty, sustainability, and the lessons we learned today.
Much love to all those at home. We ALL miss you here.
Love you mom, dad, Ryan and Pete your note was heart warming. I’m keeping my center and enjoying my wonderful trip.
To all the other parents and friends- we have our first free day on Satruday and will be calling and emailing FINALLY!!
Hope you are learning and making relationshios that last a life time. Miss u Zahra
We miss u so much. Nihari or lasagnia?
Great to see more contributions and explorations.
It is so great to hear your ‘voice’ Sara, we can hear the subtle challenges and learning and know your new community is there to help enjoy every moment. It is difficult to articulate the huge smile we all hear listening to your experiences. Love dad,mom, Ryan, pete, &max
I’m sure I speak for everyone that we cannot wait to hear your voices on Saturday!! Keep up the good work! Love you, Katie H <3
how wonderful for you to meet and learn from Charito. And love the CAP! Look forward to seeing the finished products. And will you be building or painting Sara!? Cold water – yikes. You can do it!! 🙂
Thank you Marissa and Sara for the detailed update I felt like I was there! It sounds like you all had another awesome and rewarding day and I can’t wait to hear how the presentation went. Faith, your sister is still talking to herself and the TV and I think she’s in her room spitting bars to herself but she actually made dinner tonight (reality set in). I know that you enjoyed the empanadas (new recipie) ?
Keep enjoying this wonderful opportunity and I can’t wait to hear your voice this weekend❤
Mommy loves you?
Thanks for sharing! Love all the updates. Wish we could zoom in on the pictures. ? Mindy what time will you be calling on Saturday? Mama will be working on a wedding in the morning but I don’t want to miss your call?
Organic farming!! Yaay! Charito sounds like an amazing lady! I love reading these posts! Keep up the great work kids! ?
Hi Marissa,
Sounds like you are enjoying your first trip and the opportunity that has come with it. Can’t wait to hear how the project goes. Keep up the good work!
We love you
Nana & Papa
Hey Esli,
I love the smile on your face. Joachim was excited to see you in the pictures. Your cousins Kaka and uncle Jean asked about you. I gave they the link so they can see you. They are all excited for you. Hey, the house is so cold without you. We miss you! Hugs!!!
Elisabeth E.B.
Learning about perseverance and agricultural sustainability are such valuable lessons for everyone! We look forward to hearing more about the CAP project and your work alongside community members. Miss you Katie H and wondering if you are painting or building? Love, Grandma
We eat up all the small details you give us…thank you Marissa & Sara! The classrooms look so bright and glad you are able to work with the kids. Finished camp yesterday, missed your expertise, KK! We celebrated Coach’s bday; no sweets for me this time 🙂 Can’t wait to hear from you soon! Love, Mama Belle
I know you enjoyed the food, sounds yummy! Can’t wait for the phone call. Love and miss you! Mom
Katie H. I am so excited and happy for you and the whole group. I’ve been telling all my friends about Global Glimpse. So anxious to hear about your experience when you get home. My love to you and everyone! Blessings, Amma
Miss you Andrea, love you!
Marissa,
Thanks for sharing your amazing journey. I love and miss you more than words could say. Kisses and hugs.
Love,
Auntie
Marissa!!
So proud of you & can’t wait for both of us to be home and talk about our amazing stories! Love and miss you so much sweets!
Amanda 🙂
You all are doing so nice!!! (Also how are all of you surviving without the luxuries? )
Mui mui, you are doing great, you got this!!!!
Hi Mindy, how’s the food over there so far? I bet you already miss the food here huh? Hope you having a blast!!! Say Hi to Salyna for me too.
Hello Haley, this is co Y, I’m glad you are doing well there, and enjoy your wonderful trip. Wondering if you see any “Pho” there? :-). Miss you and love you 🙂