How do limited resources and opportunities affect students´ ability to reach their future potential? This is a question we have poured over, pondered, and practiced throughout today’s experience. As we boarded the bus to San Juan de Llullundongo, these words felt distant, something we could only see on the horizon, but have yet to touch and absorb.
Escuela de Educacion Basica F.A.E was founded in 1969 by the Ecuadorian air force known as F.A.E. With only three teachers and a classroom full of eager young-minds, the school of Llullundongo has flourished into a center of prestige. Their advancement in an environment of such limited access is incredibly inspiring, as students who live two hours away, travel the excruciating distance to receive the quality education given.
This institution serves as a symbol of hope and of the future for the rural community of Llullundongo as it provides a means of education and opportunity for children of all ages, races, and backgrounds.
Students in Llullundongo are driven, curious, and eager to learn more. For example, an 8th-9th grade science class has students who would race each other to the board to write an answer or read passages. Their limited access to transportation, proper uniforms, and technology hinders this development and limits the opportunities for a better education and life. An important theme in our Global Glimpse activities is that poverty takes many shapes and forms, depending on a variety of factors. Although the United States may be considered first-world in our infrastructure, technology, and medicine, the same struggles for low-income students exist. Students from low-income families may not have accessible technology and internet as some of their peers, which severely limits their own development and growth in comparison to their peers. The lack of support for students who have limited resources is a severe issue in our world today, as these are the generations who will lead for this world in the future.
Cecilia, the rectora (principle) of the school, allowed the Global Glimpse program to shadow students in order for us to experience the reality of low-funded, rural schools. The purpose of our visit today was to gather vital information about the needs of the school and how Global Glimpse could aid the community, known as Discovery in our three step process of Discovery, Design, and Delivery. Through a series of interviews with the school staff, we have decided to pursue a project in revamping the exterior walls of the school buildings. To paint the school a uniformed color scheme as well as several murals, we can help aid in creating a place of union and a place that students, staff, and community members can be proud of. Although our main mission was to unearth the needs of the Llullundong school community, we have learned that it is equally important to discover the assets of the individuals of our program. For example, Maritza and Yuvi, who are native Spanish speakers, have been an essential part in breaking the language barrier between the locals and the less fluent members of our program.
The power of language continues to grow stronger each time our cultures are shared. Today was the first day of English Language Tutoring with the local kids of Guaranda at the school Verbo Divino. The experience was amazing as Stephanie, our Program Coordinator, eased our nerves that this was a learning experience for both parties. Many of us quickly discovered that our lesson plans needed much renovation since the local kids proved to be quite knowledgeable in the English language. One classroom had students that pulled out their English textbooks to show their tutors what they would like to learn. Their eagerness and excitement will never cease to amaze us.
As leaders of the day, the 3 C’s of courage, compassion, and commitment were a vital asset in gathering the group. Courage was especially prominent when we led today. As leaders, we learned that we had to lead by example, as mentioned in a quote we had by John Quincy Adams. Courage taught us to be more vocal in a group of unknown faces, to jump into courtyard games, and to work harder to inspire others in their own journey of courage.
Heads up! Tomorrow is our free day with plenty of time to buy souvenirs, contact family members, and enjoy the beauty of the city of Guaranda.
Alli tuta (“goodnight” in Kichwa, the indigenous language of Ecuador),
Ashley, Apryl, Sophia
Way to go everyone!! So proud seeing you out there beaming, Alexia! Thank you all for having the courage to change lives!! What a blessing 😉
Ps oly wants to know if you miss her?? That means she misses you, BAD!! Don’t forgot to find some sweet goodies for mom and Julia 😉
Hi Eunice,
It is exciting to see your healthy and smiling face from Guaranda. Keep up with your excellent work and enjoy!!
Glimpsers,
Wow, what a Job well done, I’m touch by each of you. So happy to those that you are fortunate to meet each day. We are all so very proud of you back home.
We Miss you Apryl!
With Love,
Mom,dad and Nathan
Such an insightful account of another meaningful day. May this experience broaden your perspective & encourage you even more to help make this world a better place. So proud of all of you.
Hello Sophia. We’re so happy to see you exploring the world beyond your comfort zone. Enjoy every moment of this adventure & learning. We hope you’re eating well. ? We look forward to your call or email.
Much love,
Mommy, Daddy, Iffy, & Pluto & Mars
Apryl,
Hi Honey, Good to see your smile?We are so proud of you, keep up with your good work, and enjoy!
Love & Miss you,
Daddy, mommy & Nathan
Hi Lauryn!
So glad you got a chance to work with the local kids. I know you wanted to do that. 😉
It doesn’t feel the same without you and we all miss you tremendously…
P.S: only 25 more days until we go back to our “other home” yay!!?
Love,
Mom?
Hi Ashwin,
What a happy group! So glad to see all the pictures. Are you getting to speak Spanish?
Love
Dad
Hi Iana!! What a fantastic and life changing time you must be having. We all miss you and love you so much!! Really soak everything in because it will be over before you know it.
Love, Mom
Brandon, I am loving all the pictures and the best part is seeing you smile. It was so good to hear your voice today! What an amazing adventure. Enjoy every second and you better be taking lots of pictures! Love you and miss you, can’t wait to see your beautiful face.
Love, Mom
Hi Lauryn,
From the blog … “The 3 C’s of courage, compassion, and commitment … ”
Another reference to “3-C” :p
Love you
Dad
Hello Brandon,
What amazing pictures and to see you smiling makes me smile. You all are doing such good things in Guaranda. It was so good to hear your voice today! Keep smiling and keep working hard. You are amazing and I am beyond proud of you!!! Love you, Mom.
Awesome job everybody!
Hi Sheena, we all miss you a bunch back home; Ten too. Sorry we missed your call. Looking forward to more updates. Stay well!
Hi Sheena: fyi, we are having problems with our home phone line, so you may not be able to reach us there. Sorry. 🙁
Hi Brandon,
I’m so happy we got to hear your voice today, Thank you for calling and letting us know that your having a great time and that your OK. We can’t wait for you to come home and hear about your experiences. I’ve left Pictures and a message on Instagram for all your friends, I’ll let you know what the response is later today. We love you our boy, so enjoy your once in a life experience there and know we are thinking of you everyday.
Love you,
Dad and I
Hi Brandon!!!! We miss you so much, we hope you’re having the greatest time out there!! ❤️
Hi Mina,
Thanks for leaving Brandon a Message, He’s going to be so excited <3 Hope you also have an Amazing trip in DR. Take lots of Picture so we can also send you messages.
I love seeing everyone embracing their experiences in Ecuador!
Meia-we miss you! I hope to talk to you soon! Please try again. I picked up but the line dropped 🙁
Rebecca just told me you were going to call….and my phone has a missed call! So sad we missed you! Looks like you are having fun. Love you so much!
Megan-You are my other half… hope you are having fun! I keep looking in mirrors and thinking its you… I hope you are looking in mirrors in Ecuador and doing the same. Mighty is doing well, still wearing his cone- and rocking it. Mom bought six new cereals today- do they have unicorn lucky charms there? I was rearranging today, I took down you’re old Justin Beiber posters and made some paintings of my own, buy some Guarandan posters, they will look special. Hope you are doing ok without your Stuffie. I put a prayer request in at church for you, we are all thinking of you! Lots of love Meggie!
Meg,
You look like a giant out there, standing out with your blonde hair too.
So good to hear your voice today.
Love you, miss you, hope you have a good rest of the time.
-Love Dad
Hi Ashley,
Great job to you and your team for being leader of the day. Sounds like a very productive day in helping the local kids and their community. Keep up the good work. We miss you very much. Have fun on your free day. Love Dad, mom, and Ethan.
Dear Darlene,
Mom was waiting for your phone and told myself not to miss it like last time. I was so happy to hear your voice. We’re so proud of you and keep up with the good work.
WE LOVE YOU
Dad, Mom and Daniel
Sounds like another amazing day!
Lolo- hope you are learning alot and enjoying every second. Be sure to take care of yourself too and try to rest when you can.
Miss you tons – Audrey keeps saying you are gone for 16 days!
Apryl,
I was so happy to hear your voice, It makes my heart burst with pride. “You make us proud in so many ways.” remember to enjoying every second while you are there. We are so proud of you and keep up with the good work.
WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH,
Mom, Dad, Narhan, and Bagel
Hi Nava!
I am so sorry about today. I was in the middle of testing and couldn’t talk loud so I don’t think you heard me say hold on 🙁
Dad wants me to let you know that he was in the middle of lecture as well. As for Sav and mommy go….well you know, they never answer! :)))) (actually Sav said she was in the shower and mommy got to her phone a little late so it went to her vm)
I hope you had an amazing time on your free day. Can’t wait to hear all about it and see all the pictures you’re taking. Love you and call me when you get another chance. I told my students that this time I am walking out of the classroom no matter what, LOL.
By the way, Dad, Nica and I are going to the city council meeting tonight to accept the scholarship on your behalf.
Nica, dad and I love and miss you so much, xoxoxo
Hi Nava!
I’m so sorry about today :(. I was in the middle of proctoring an exam. Dad also texted me and said you tried calling him and he was lecturing and ended up missing your call. I heard Sav and Mommy missed you call as well. We are all so bummed.
Please call me when you get another chance. This morning I told you to hold on but I think you didn’t hear me. Next time you call I’m walking out of that class testing or not 🙂 I already told my students.
I hope you enjoyed your free day exploring the city. Make sure to take lots of pictures. We can’t wait to hear all about it!
In a couple of hours, dad, Nica and I are heading to the city council meeting to accept the scholarship on your behalf. We are so excited and proud. We told Nica she has to go up there but she is saying no. We’ll see, if not I’ll do it with pleasure 🙂
We Love and miss you so much xoxox
Helena!
Glad you called today. Mom and I were waiting for you to call us. Mom misses you and too bad she wasn’t here when you called me. Stay healthy and hydrated! Don’t be picky with your food… On your next free day, try to call mom first before reaching me. She wants to talk to you too! Have fun!!!!
Vi,
Hi!! How are you? Are you having fun there? Eating well? Make sure to sleep and rest when you can. I can’t wait to see you, then you’d tell me all of the things you’ve done on this trip. To think about it, I kind of wonder why I never took this global glimpse offer even though I was nominated and all those other trips too. Oh well, I hope you have fun there! I love you! <3
vi,
Mom see you on these pictures, I am so proud of you. You are always a good girl in my heart. Try your best to help people who have less luck than us. I wish you have a good trip and enjoy your charity work.
I miss you so much,
Mom