Hello Friends and Family!
Today we ate banana pancakes for breakfast, super delicious. We headed to our final English tutoring class at the school. We taught for an hour and fifteen minutes and then wrapped up to conclude with our graduation ceremony. At the ceremony, everyone and their teaching partner handed out certificates to their students to acknowledge the 35 hours of work they all put in this week. We came back to the hotel and had a mental warm up all about social injustice. We took the bus to the city center and met the children at the park. The organization, Manitos Trabajadoras, work with children who work on the streets who are deprived of a basic childhood including food, education, and necessities. It was raining in the park once we got there so we had to come back to the hotel with the children and the staff to play and eat there.
At the hotel, we played volleyball, soccer, catch, frisbee, and colored with the kids. While eating lunch, provided by the Manitos Trabajadoras, we got to communicate with the kids and have great conversations with them. After spending quality time with them, we understood a little more about the struggles they go through in their daily lives and learned not to take the small things for granted. Javier, the organization leader, was an extremely compassionate person, someone with a pure heart. He dedicates his time and efforts to help the children through this non-profit organization and he really showed us a special glimpse of what it is like to be a child struggling with poverty. The kids gifted us really cute, handmade keychains as a way of saying thank you to us, even though we thought we were the ones to say thank you to them. One brave child talked about how he will never forget us, how meaningful today was for them, and for God to bless us, it was really touching.
After an emotional goodbye with the kids, we had free time to prepare for our CAP presentations with Cesar. The CAP project presentation consisted of our three groups (communal house, mural, and the storage house), where we were able to share our thought-out ideas with Cesar and the community president. After a couple explanations and iterations, we were able to come to a consensus about what exactly we will be doing for our CAP project this weekend. After the presentations, we had some free time and then had dinner. Then we had our nightly meeting, where we discussed some deeper, emotional topics about social injustice, poverty, and our families. We definitely bonded through this conversation and really felt like we were getting to know our peers more through them sharing out.
Today was an eye opener for us, we go to understand how people and their struggles are in other countries. How a family, adults and youth, have to work extremely hard just to provide a hot meal on the table every day.
“”Right now we are struggling in our own ways, but we have to remember that we are going to make change later in the future, and once we get there, the only limit is what we want to give” -Jonathon
We look forward to our hike to Volcano Chimborazo tomorrow, especially since it will be Rashad’s birthday!!
Big Love,
Laura & Jonathon
From Jonathon: Shout out to Juanito, my mom, and grandma…thank you for supporting me.
From Laura: Anna, hope your last day at Kaiser is GREAT! 😀
It is hard to hear the struggles that a lot of people have, especially the kids. No one deserves that kind of life. We need to appreciate everything we have and be thankful for that. Hopefully this will be another experience in your lives that touches your hearts and in the future you can be a leader to do wonderful things and make a change.
Sounds like today was a humbling experience for the group. E-came back but will be giving a low rating to our ‘uber’ driver (aka A) since he came about 50 minutes later! LOL!
Hello Travelers,
It is super exciting to see all the pictures full of happiness and sincere feelings. It is great to hear that you are all seeing and experiencing a humble and simple perspective from Ecuador. Other countries as well deal with poverty on a daily basis. Also, we are all use to comodeties that we take for granted at times. The children you all taught English look so Happy! Tomorrow you are all going to hike a volcano… I was wondering is it a dormant or active one? Very exciting.
Los dejo y estoy anciosa por leer mas de sus aventuras en Ecuador?
Mr. & Mrs. Arias
Wow glimpsers! You touched my heart. I loved seeing everyone enjoying what they are doing. The happiness on the kids faces is priceless. A prize to to your dedication and responsibility. Congrats!
It looks like another amazing day with the community. Love and compassion all around!
Pilar, miss you so much. Love you Mom
Hi Shivani: Very nice pictures, seems like you are having some great time. Just want to let you know we missing you a lot and love you very much. Soak the experiences as much as you can and just enjoy it. I am sure you are practicing your Spanish !!
Thank you Laura and Jonathan for the glimpse of your group’s experience on such a heartfelt day. The connections and experiences will last a lifetime and use them as a springboard for your future!
E-
What a wonderful experience to appreciate the opportunities we have and to give back to those who are in need. You can make the difference!
Savor the moments and opportunities in Riobamba!
We are back home and preparing for the Obon this weekend. We will dance with you in our hearts!
Love, Dad, Mom, and R-
What great smiles on all the kids you were working with. I am sure you Global Glimpsers left a big impression and some great memories for them. Sounds like some great perspective YOU all gained about the work they must do to get the “basics”, for things that we take for granted. Have an amazing Volcano hike. Joseph, I want to see a picture of you in the next blog!! Love, Mom & crew
Hola a todos:
Wuau… what an emotional day and what meaningful memories you’re all leaving in the lives of children and adults with whom you’ve shared these past days, but especially the impact is this making in your lives by being exposed and experiencing how difficult life is in other countries specially for children and teenagers who are deprived of living according to their age. We have so many reasons to be thankful to God for what we have and never take anything for granted. Keep up with the good work you’re all doing.!!! GG Leaders, THANK YOU for all your hard work to make this possible for our teens!! Adrian we love you!!! Can’t wait to hear your stories. Hugs and kisses.
All of you are doing such amazing work! English tutoring was one of the most fulfilling parts of my trip, and it’s encouraging to see how much you’ve touched your student’s lives. The quote from Jonathon is amazing. I don’t know most of you (hi Kate, Joseph and Ophelia!!) but I can tell you’re all doing cool, life changing things. Keep striving to make change, to work together, and to embody the 3 Cs!
Fifi, I love and miss you more than I know how to put into words. This trip is such an extraordinary experience and I am over the moon that you’re there experiencing it now. I love love love love love LOVE you!!! Just imagine that I’m giving you a huge hug right now. Have an amazing last portion of your journey and get back home safely <3
What a wonderful impact it looks like you’re all having on those precious kids I’m so glad you all get to have this experience keep up the amazing work! Love and miss you so much Pilar! – Shai
Fantastic job guys! These kids will remember you for ever.