Hello all,
Today’s leaders of the day (LDDs) were Amber and Tomas. Wake up call was at 7 AM and breakfast was at 7:30 AM at Nativas. As we walked to breakfast, it began to rain which was a nice change in comparison to Ecuador’s normally sunny weather. For breakfast, we had pancakes (yay!!!) with a fruity sauce, eggs, fruit, and hot chocolate or tea.
After breakfast we came back to the hostel and discussed the question and quote of the day(). We learned a bit about the poverty situation in Ecuador and the organization we would be working with today. In Ecuador there is a huge gap between the rich and the poor and is 87th on the OECC measure of poverty. Today we saw it first hand when we went to work with Manitos Trabajadoras, an organization which helps kids working on the street by organizing activities for them and giving them lunch on Saturdays.
We split into 4 groups, each with a different GGL. We then found a partner and were paired with one of the kids. From there everyone helped the kids shining shoes, selling items like bracelets, ice cream, cotton candy, candy, or a whipped cream-like food on a cone.
After two hours of working with the kids, we ate lunch, chicken and rice, with them. Then we played games with the kids so they could win prizes (donations of clothes). It was a lot of fun and we really connected with the kids. After the games, Javier talked to us about how greatful he and the kids were for our participation. We said our goodbyes and walked to Plaza Roja where we got picked up by the bus. When we arrived back at the hostel, we discussed the question and quote of the day again, and how it related to the day and the experiences we just had.
Next we continued work on our CAP prep before presenting our ideas to the representatives from Carlos Garbay, who gave us feedback on our ideas for their school. We will be making some changes to our projects creating cubbies, a place for changing babies’ diapers, and a fence for stopping balls from rolling down the hill. After that we went down to the backyard where everyone got into a circle except for 4 random people who got into the center of the circle. Cookies were placed on their foreheads and they had to get the cookies to their mouths without using their hands. We got a bit of free time after that, followed by pizza for dinner!!! We have another big day tomorrow, getting up at 5 in the morning, and have an early lights out time tonight. Until then.
Your LDDs,
Amber and Tomas
Tomas
What no pictures. Can’t wait to see them. Lots of love.
Mom and dad
Thank you GG’s for your updates and glimpses into Equadorian culture and diversity.
Olivia, we are so proud of you!!! I’m sure you are learning a lot from this experience.
The rest of the family left for Omaha today and the house is strangely quiet without all of you here.
Can’t wait to see you and hear all about your amazing trip. Love you and miss you, Mama and Papa
maya i hope you are feeling better, thank the people who were taking good care of you- mom yhjyu, – anahi the house is very quiet with out you and your amazing voice and your ukulele skills- iris
Nice blog you two! We miss you Tomas.
Nathan and Melody
Hi chris how are you doing are you having fun.be carful are you playing soccer MEXICO WON 1:0.
Hey Amber! It’s Mackenzie. I miss you, but I bet you’re having a blast in Ecuador. It sure sounds like it at least. I can’t wait to see all of you pictures (because I was robbed of them today) and Shannon wanted to let you know that she misses you too. Good job leading for the day.
Good job Amber. Can’t wait to see the picture. We had a power outage here for 16 hours. I got to play soccer yesterday and today. Keep up the hard work!
Love,
Dad
Hi this is your tio Jorge. Saw your pictures and travel stories… Meh…
Hi ! Kim! How are you ? We miss U . Every day , We always look your pictures. Your team so happy ? U ( thèm ) Taco & in out ? See u soon
I hope you and Mabel have good trip say hi to Mabel bye Kim
Hi Andrea! Really great to see this post, and how involved you are with the local community. Thank you for helping those kids working on the street, and experiencing how life is for them. Love to see that you all helped them during the day. I hope you bought me some bracelets from the kids. You know how much I love them, and you are helping them as well! We miss you so much. Gypsy and Cashy keep going to your bedroom looking for you! Love always, Mom