Today was global business and politics day. I chose this day to be leader del dia because business is something I`ve grown up around, it`s what I want to major in, and its dear to my heart.
We woke up bright and early at 7am with help from the very noisy neighborhood rooster. We had breakfast at our usual café Del Tren. From there we took a short walk to Casa de la Mujer or “The house of Women”. Here met met some amazing and courageous women who shared their passions and stories with us. Casa de la Mujer is a house of women`s rights, advocacy, entrepreneurship, health, and so much more. They provide services for women of all ages, races and sexual orientations. Some of these services include judicial and law help, a boost to start businesses, references to health services, political support and even just a place for stories to be heard. A woman who really struck me was a powerful and inspiring grandma named Ana Maria. Not only does she voluntarily service on the board there, but also serves on the United Nations commission for indigenous peoples and their rights. These group of women even helped pass a law back in the 90`s, in which required at least 5% of women to participate in Ecuadorian Congress. Today women and men serve almost an equal 50:50% and without these women and their support this wouldn’t have been possible. I presented them with a Global Glimpse gift and thanked them for having us at their “house”. Here in Ecuador we have been very much loved and accepted into many families here. Today Casa de la Mujer is added onto that growing list.
From there we took a 45 minute drive through rural communities, with bus views of satisfying rows of corn, quinoa and scattered agave plants. We were on our way to Coprobich, an international quinoa exportation company who works with local indigenous farmers. They specialize in working with over 540 farmers who produce organic quinoa, which is most popularly consumed in Europe. They work with fair trade guidelines which ensure their farmers are getting a fair pay for their work. We had a short sweet and very informative presentation, before visiting their quinoa processing rooms. We had lunch and then it was back on the bus to prep for English teaching.
It was now day 3/5 of our English tutoring classes. It gets easier as we go and we’re finally getting the hang of being teachers. We conclude the classes on Wednesday and will miss our students dearly. Following the classes we had a lovely dinner of steak, French fries, salad and some of our more daring glimpsers tried an eastern Ecuadorian delicacy. Rather than tell you, you’ll see the pictures below.
It was over all a good day and being the leader was a lot easier than I thought. Shout out to those who I love back home who couldn’t wait to read my blog!
(photos coming tomorrow)
I was super excited to pull up the blog and see you wrote it!!
Sounds like ya’ll will have some amazing stories to share when you get back home.
Countung down the days til I see you again.
Love,
Mom
First off great blog Tamia! I had no idea Ecuador strived really hard to balance the role of men and women in society. Super super cool how you guys were able to view a company that was not necessary all about profit, but fair wages for their workers too. That’s almost unheard of in our capitalistic society. All you hear from people is “don’t stop hustling” and “the grind don’t stop”. I was never into business when I entered college, because I didn’t like the idea of someone has to lose, in order for you to win. But business isn’t just making profit. You can start non profit organizations and really work to make the world better! “I don’t want to live in the kind of world where we don’t look out for each other. Not just the people that are close to us, but anybody who needs a helping hand. I cant change the way anybody else thinks, or what they choose to do, but I can do my bit.” -Charles de Lint. I think I talked enough for tonight. I saw your Instagram story last night Salgado! That was nasty lol. Live bugs. That was really….. bugging me last night. *knee slapper* Have a goodnight Kelly and Karen! COME HOME ALREADY GUYS. But seriously, make this trip last longer, all of you. Make unforgettable memories and friends. Hope you guys extend your Global Glimpse journey a little longer when school starts by becoming an ambassador. You get to reunite with friends and teach next year glimpsers. Goodnight fellow leaders. Signing out.
It’s great to start the day with all these positive stories. I can’t help being excited knowing you’re almost coming home but hearing these wonderful things you all do each day makes me think so much to do and so little time. So make each day count, Haga que cada ria cuente!
Love you son ?
Another great day! Can’t wait to hear and see more. We all are so thankful that you all get to do this. Miss you and love you Sage??
P.S. Ryder says hi?
I am so happy to see everything you guys been done,, Aleja te Amo mi chula !!!!!!
I am so excite for you to see
how much things you been learn ,,,this is the first experience in your life and more to come ,,es maravilloso todo lo que estas viviendo ,estoy feliz por ti mi Aleja ,, te Ama tu mom Marisol .