“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world” – Nelson Mandela
Question of the Day: How do limited resources and opportunities affect students’ ability to reach their future potential?
After a yummy breakfast at La Estancia, we were off to learn about education in Ecuador! We visited a school in the community of Las Gradas called Unidad Educativa Comunitaria Intercultural Bilingue Ruminahul, which is 15 minutes southeast of Guaranda. At the school, we were taught the native language of Guaranda, Kichwa, by the principal of the school, Germán. We learned numbers 1-10, 100, 1,000, and 1,000,000, in Kichwa. It was so much fun, and some thought it was their favorite thing of the trip so far. We then took a tour of the school and learned more about our CAP (Community Action Project). For the CAP project, we will be building a barbed wire fence around the fence of the garden to preserve crops for the students’ and students families. We are excited to begin taking our first steps towards getting involved in community here in Guaranda!
Picking uvillas!
Germán giving gifts of fruit.
Learning Kichwa!
One of our kichwa lessons of the day!
In the afternoon, we engaged in our first English tutoring session. The language barrier proved to be a challenge, but there’s nothing us Glimpsers can’t overcome! Engaging with the students, who walk 2 hours to receive English classes for $3, proved to be a humbling and eye opening experience for us. The ages of the students ranged from 13 to 30. Class difficulty levels varied from beginners paired with advanced level Spanish speaking Glimpsers, to advanced level English speakers and beginning level Spanish speakers.
Getting ready to teach…can you spot the doppelgangers?
Teaching English!
Ady giving a lesson.
Some of our students!
During our nightly meeting, we were able to make connections to our own education systems through the answering of our Q.O.T.D. We pointed out how eager the students were to learn, despite adversity, and it proved to be an inspiration to us in our own academic careers. We’re excited to continue work with our students and look forward to sharing more of our journey with our families back home!
Preparing for tomorrow’s English lesson.
One of the most important takeaways from today was realizing how privileged we are. Seeing the limited resources students have in schools is eye opening. Students were still determined to learn, and that is motivation to keep trying even when we want to give up. ~Jalynn G.
I particularly enjoyed engaging with students, as I have aspirations of pursuing a career in education. I enjoyed bonding with the students and felt so blessed to be able to gain a new perspective on global education. Nosotros gustamos ensenar! ~ Carson C.
You’re so right girls! What a privilege and a blessing for you guys to have this experience!!! Awesome!
Carson I love that your ending quote was bilingual. Que bueno! Congrats on to our lesson and on your reflections of it. Awesome sauce ?
Carson i’m so proud of you it’s going to be a learning experience for both you and them it looks like your embracing the challenge you go girl
I love you Carson! Be safe and have fun!
?
Alexis
Love you
What a humbling experience it must be tutoring your new students. Truly mind blowing that they walk 2 hours and pay $3 ( which is a lot for them) to learn English. How eager they are to learn! Hope you all realize the gift of education that you have and may take for granted. I am so glad that you, Carter Madden, are getting the opportunity to leave your mark on the world. You are an amazing young man that has so much to offer. We love and miss you, Mom, Dad and Joe!!
What a great day you had! Has it rained at all? It looks pretty dry. The “Golden fruit” looked like Cuties. How would you describe them. I’m interested in hearing some spoken Kichwa.
Becca, we miss you so much! I am so glad we get to see you in pictures and hear about our experience. Please, if you have not gotten in pictures (besides group shots), get pictures taken. It is our (parent’s) lifeline. We NEED to see your smiling faces. 🙂
Hi Jake
How incredible!!! An amazing opportunity to see another culture and help teach! Hope you are enjoying every minute of this fascinating experience!
Love,
Grandma and Grandpa
Education and Learning despite adversity is so powerful. Glimpsers you are doing something special with these students while learning so much yourselves.
HI Zarmani its Auntie..I pray you are being blessed 10fold and being a blessing 20fold in your trip…I love u and an so proud of you..
Good morning! What an awesome day of learning and sharing.
Hi Zarmani
Love you Grandmommie
Hi everyone,
It looks like you are learning so much and it is so great that you can give back to the community with your project and teaching! Tay and Becca – I can’t wait to have you both teach us a little Kichwa. Taylor – the whole family is following you on this incredible journey through the blog and are loving seeing you everyday and reading about what you are doing. Thank you leaders for the daily blog updates and pictures. It helps us all feel like we are sharing this trip with our kids.
Love you Tay!
Taylor,
This is such a great way to experience a different culture. Interacting and sharing through dance, music, art, agriculture, and language. Hope you took advantage of the spiritual cleansing. I would have been the first in line for that activity. Can’t wait to hear about all your adventures.
Love, Aunt Andrea
Dear Jake,
It looks like you are having a great time on your trip!!! Have a great time and see you soon!!!
Love,
Mom
Jade Simone King, I love and miss you, but I’m so proud of you and everything you’ve accomplished! Everything and everyone here is fine including Rosalina. You got this baby! Love you very much.
Hey Jade! We love you very much! Remember to Learn as much as you can and bring it back to your friends and family.
Hi Jalynn,
I loved your message and you are so right in acknowledging how privileged you are and what other students have to go through. Please remember that when you get back home. Continue to learn, share and grow! I love you Grandma Sheila
Hi Jalynn your picture is beautiful. I’m so proud of you my sweet great granddaughter and God is proud of you. All the lives you touched they love you too and will hate to see you leave. God is always with you, love you Gran Gran!
Hey Boogie (Jade),
MY SIS WORLDWIDE!! HAVE FUN TAKE PICS LEAVE YOUR MARK ON THE WORLD I LOVE YOU. I’M PROUD I’M CRYING I MISS YOU
Hi Jade i miss you
Jade,
Meow.
Jade,
It’s Dominique and Jason, we hope you are having fun and helping as much as you can. This is a great great opportunity and take lots of pictures to show us when you get back home.
Love you and see you when you get back.
Hi Jade, your real mom here ?..hope you are having a wonderful time in Ecuador. You’re so lucky to be able to experience a different culture and have the opportunity to help out. Be sure to make the most of it. So proud of you!!
Love, Kela ?
Faith,
I hope your enjoying the experiences and views in Ecuador. I miss you lots and tell the friends that you made that your sister says hi!
Hello everyone,
I’m so happy to see al the things you are all experiencing. I love that you’re all able to have this opportunity and hope it will help you realize some of the things we here at home take for granted. World travel gives great perspective and helps to open the mind to new things. Take advantage of all you can learn and make sure to leave good behind. Serena I can see from your smile you’re having a great time. I can’t wait to see what’s next! I love you -Titi Cielo
Jay,
I walk past your room everyday and I stop in and just stand there waiting for you to reappear. It doesn’t happen ? I miss you so so much and I wish I could be here when you get back. You are a wonderful person and I’m so proud of you. I love you and I hope you are having a life changing journey. Text me when you get back ❤️??♀️
-Your big sis Ana ?
Hi Glimpsers! I am glad you get the opportunity to see how much others value their education. We often take so many things for granted here at home. Jalynn you are making momma so proud! I love you so much! ???
Dear Jake,
wow and it looks like you are enjoying your trip!!!! miss you and love you and see you soon!!!!! enjoy the rest of your trip!!!! Take care!!!
Love,
Mom
Hey jade are u having fun are u ok are people nice do u feel safe snoopy says hi he turned One
So proud of you Carson! Can’t believe you’re doing such big things. Stay safe and most of all, enjoy yourself! We all love you and can’t wait to hear about your experiences when you get back! See ya in a couple weeks!
It’s a special day it’s ur Birthday ? daughter I love ❤️ you so much cyonnie I’m so proud of u an ??all u do be all u can be ?sky is the limit cyonnie mommy love you ?
It is so cool to see you interactive with the students. The school looks great and fun. I am sure you are doing a great job teaching kids. That is you, sweet girl! Besos!
So proud of you Carson! Love,
The Washingtons