Hi everyone it’s todays leaders of the day: Josh, Eliza and Jaydel! After a weekend off from English tutoring, we resumed our “professions” with an early 6:30 am start. Our breakfast consisted of a cheese empanada accompanied with a variety of Ecuadorian organic fruit (are you jealous?). After breakfast we went to the school and spent our morning teaching our students, “furthering their intellectual capacities”~ Josh. Little did we know that the most challenging part of our day was yet to come.
Today was the first day of our Community Action Project (CAP), which consists of four ambitious projects that include: renovating the basketball court, bathrooms, painting the exterior walls, adding two murals to the school and providing them with learning materials. We put our best foot forward and got started on scrapping, plastering, washing, and priming the walls. You name it, we did it! After a few hours of “arduous” labor we had our lunch break and we danced, sang and laughed together. Then it was right back to work, united by our GREAT taste in music.
After a long day of hard work, we got back on the bus and continued to sing together. We arrived back at La
Primavera ready for some well earned free time and showers, but our determination did not subside and we proceeded to hold a meeting about how to effectively use our materials and time in order to complete our CAP project. During the meeting we learned the importance of budgeting and communication. Then we took our free time and went to get snacks to replenish our snack supply.
We were greeted by a lovely surprise. Unexpectedly we reunited with all of the children we worked with on Saturday from Manitas Trabajadoras, who presented us with a kind gift. Shortly after, we concluded our long day with a nice dinner of kababs (Ecuadorian of course).
We miss you all very much and cant wait to see you all on Friday.
PS to Josh’s parents, please check your emails.
PS to Elizas’ parents, keep the snap streak up
PS to Jaydel’s parents, los extraño!
Hi Breana! I miss you and can’t wait to hug you?
It sounds like you had good food today. Your breakfast was a great way to energize for the day. The projects certainly do sound ambitious. You have a great group of you, I’m sure you’ll get it all done spectacularly. I hope there’s some artists among you for that mural!! I’m not sure how many days left for the CAP, I wish you lots of energy, great collaboration and spirit for completion. Keep remembering the wonderful children that you’re doing this for.
I love to hear you are all singing together while working and on your free time. I look forward to hearing about the Ecuadorian snacks. I imagine they aren’t as sweet as our American snacks, which should be a good thing. I hope all the starbursts are gone. Don’t bring them back home kids.
You all did fine with the French keyboard. I didn’t notice any mistakes.
Eliza – so glad to get to see a picture of you. BTW – that mask is supposed to cover your nose as well as your mouth. It’s kind of useless otherwise. ? ?
Counting down the days.
xoxo,
Jodi
Thank you Eliza, Josh and Jaydel for the fun post and great pictures! I can just imagine you all singing your hearts out and dancing away in the midst of your hectic day! What a great way to bond! Please send lots of pictures when the project is done!
Budgeting – yes, very important skill to have (Matilda ?) to keep track of your funds and make them last – not so easy to do at times!
I hope you all enjoy these last few days you have left – remember always to love, live and laugh!
Matilda, so lovely to hear your voice again today and to know that you are having a good time! Dad and I love you so very much and are immensely proud of you! ❤️?xox
P.S. today was our 25th wedding anniversary – would you believe it
?? where does the time go! ❤️
I am Jealous! Breakfast sounds so yummy!! My heart is overflowing with joy reading all the great things you all are doing there! This blog really makes my day! Sabrina- Chris is leaving for Chicago tomorrow and your presence is sorely missed today, your return home will uplift me for sure this coming Saturday 🙂 Love you, Mom
GM Kevin seems you guys journey is winding down and though I’m sure you are really missing your families and the comforts of your homes( especially ur phones ?)I encourage you to continue to take all you can from this thought provoking,eye opening experience..Miss you n praying for your safe travel as you return home..❤️❤️
Yay! Was waiting for your Leader day, Josh! Way to go! Sounds like it was a busy day. I’m sure you are all excited to see how much your improvements will help the school!. Got your e-mail Josh and it was so great to hear from you directly! I’m also curious to hear about the music you all love. Well, looks like you will be very busy again today . Hope you all have a great day and take pride in what you are doing. It will mean so much to the kids. Love you Josh and counting the days! xo
Wow- Can’t wait to see the finished projects! These two weeks have gone pretty fast so enjoy the last three days. You guys have made a tremendous impact and you should be very proud.
Danny-I am counting down the days. I miss you so much?
Well done Josh-Love You
-Dad
Hi Eliza. I’m so happy to see that you all are involved in some serious community work. The school, the teachers and the kids will have a better environment thanks to your group involvement. I hope you guys can keep up the schedule and finish what was started since you only have days to go. We miss you and can’t wait to have you back. Lots of love and safe travels.
Dad
I am so glad to learn about all these new skills such as priming and plastering. I have a job for Matilda next summer! Shouldn’t take more than a couple of months if she gets up at 6:30 every morning.
Awesome job you guys. I continue to be inspired and in awe of all your accomplishments. Great blog posts from all our future leaders and to my fav Josh; Miss you 🙂
I hope your GREAT music selections included some oldies and goodies from Josh and my shared favorite singer-songwriter, Barry Manilow…..right Josh?? 😉
Hey tiggz, from the looks of it you are working hard and playing hard. Sending prayers & positive vibes your way, I know you have this whole leadership thing in the bag for tomorrow. This looks like an experience you will NEVER forget. I know you will have an awesome story when you pull up. I ❤️❤️❤️ you and miss ya!