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Today wake up call was bright and early at 7:00 am. Then we walked to breakfast at Roma Santa, where we ate; kiwi, apples, yogurt with granola, scrambled eggs, and a delicious chocolate cake! Afterward, we walked back to the hotel and had an emotional mental warm-up where we discussed our own experiences with poverty. This prepared us for our next activity, which was working with an organization called Manitos Trabajadoras. This organization helps kids who make a living selling items on the street and provides them with lunch every Saturday. We all were put in groups and helped the kids sell their items and shine shoes. This was only a 30-minute activity for us, but a day to day reality for these kids. We got to meet amazing kids such as Luis, Johnny, Lupita, Mario, Justin, and more.
Max & Frida with Johnny, Johnny, & Luis.
Rose, Jocee, and Lupita!
Carla and Luis
We were also able to sit down with teens and adults involved with the organization and hear their current and previous experiences working on the streets. Manitos Trabajadoras then provided us and the kids with a hearty lunch of chicken, rice, and salad. We played one last game with the kids, then Javier; the leader of the organization gave a short speech, detailing his motivations and explaining ways others can help.
Glimpsers and Manitos Trabajadoras!
Lencho and Johnny shining shoes!
After saying our goodbyes, we walked back to the hotel, where we reflected on the activity, while the upcoming LDDs had a leadership meeting (shoutout Farangiz & Joanna). We then had our 1st official CAP (Community Action Project) meeting, which will take place at a local school called Unidad Educativa Martiniano Guerrero Freire. At this meeting, we discussed the fundamentals of the project, including the people involved (20 glimpsers, 2 PCs, 2 GGLs, & school staff), our budget, dates, and ideas. At the end of the meeting, we decided that we will paint 3-4 murals and 4-square and hopscotch for the small children.
Max, Frida and Paul lead the Glimpsers in the design of our CAP
Afterward, we prepped for our last English Tutoring. At English tutoring many of the groups had a talkback with their students, some even had a singing session or two. Then we had dinner at Roma Santa which was tostadas with beans, rice, pork, cheese, and aji sauce (yum). We returned to the hotel for our nightly meeting where we passed the torch to Farangiz and Joanna!
Glimpsers after English tutoring at Maldonado! Such a beautiful school – it was where Ecuador’s Constitution was signed!
Frida and Max – Leaders of the Day!!
Good work to all! Sounds like you had a wonderful day and I am sure the kids enjoyed working with all of you. Your action project sounds great and I look forward to seeing the progress with it. I also love all the pictures. Sis, I tell you “hi” each time I see you in a picture. I love and miss you and I hope you are trying all the foods. I love you Sis, keep up the good work-Mom
P.S. I got my class list today. I have 12 girls and 10 boys.
It is always a good reflection to get a view to the challenges and poverty most of world population experience every day and despite these challenges they still find time to go through their days with a big smile in their faces ..
Frida (FiGa), I’m really happy to see you as a leader of the day and having such an amazing experience .. Te extranamos mucho corazon 😉 !!!
Wow Frida what a fantastic day, I can imagine that the kids were full of energy and even though they have to work all day they weren’t complaining, mad or sad.I hope you had a great day and enjoyed their company, hopefully you learn a lot from them. Ojala y esta experiencia te ayude apreciar la simplesa de la vida y lo mucho que tenemos que hacer como adultos para ayudar y brindar un granito de apoyo a muchas personas que necesitan lo mas basico.Te amo cuidate mucho.Enjoy every minute left.
Good job, Frida. Your day seemed interesting. Mom and Dad miss you.
Hola vislumbres Espero que estés hablando más español mientras estás en Ecuador. ¿Sientes que tu español ha mejorado? Si puedes leer esto, lo ha hecho. 🙂
I love what you did today with the kids. Although they live in poverty their smiles are priceless. Interacting with those children is probably one of the most valuable lessons you’ll take home.
What you are doing for CAP is amazing. I hope I can see the completed murals. So glad to hear you learning the history of Riobamba along with educating me. You are 1/2 way through your stay and have done and learned so much I’m excited to see and hear what the second 1/2 holds.
Hola vislumbres Espero que estés hablando más español mientras estás en Ecuador. ¿Sientes que tu español ha mejorado? Si puedes leer esto, lo ha hecho. 🙂
I love what you did today with the kids. Although they live in poverty their smiles are priceless. Interacting with those children is probably one of the most valuable lessons you’ll take home.
I love what you are doing for CAP. I hope I get to see the completed murals.
Your 1/2 way through your journey and have done and learned so much. I can’t wait to see and hear what the 2nd holds.
Good job to all of you for making a difference in the world, for sharing your knowledge in other parts of the world. Natalie, you look, happy daughter, we miss you and love you, we can’t wait to see you back home. Besitos.
Love,
Erika Cisneros
It is so nice to see everyone having so much fun and learning new things. Great work everyone. Make memories that last forever!
Aditya, it is so nice to see you smiling. Tomorrow is your B-day, you will be 17. It will be the first time we will be celebrating your b-day without you. We miss you sooo much.
Lots of love from everyone.
Dear Frida,
What a pleasure to hear from you and that you can share the experiences of this trip.
There are situations in this life that we do not imagine until we live them, I think it is great to have the opportunity to work to support those who need it.
I am sure that these days you are growing more than we think.
We send you a hug, we love you!
Keep enjoying your trip.
Your uncles Lalo and Nancy
and your cousins Caty and Aaron
Sounds like a good time y’all 🙂 Max you’re beautiful and I love you so so much.