“Poverty is not an accident. Like slavery and apartheid, it is man-made and can be removed by the actions of human beings.” – Nelson Mandela
Welcome back everyone to the blog, brought to you by today’s leaders Michael and Ruby.
After consecutive mornings of waking up bright and early to tutor our students, today we were provided with a later wake up time of 8:00. Having the morning available for the first time in a few days allowed us to have a morning meeting/mental warm up regarding the day’s activity of deconstructing poverty (name changed to Social Injustice). We spoke about the state of poverty back home in America, the gap between socioeconomic classes, and cultures that perpetuate stereotypes and stigmas about poverty in the United States and around the world.
We worked with an organization here in Riobamba called “Manitos Trabajadoras” who help the children that work out on the streets. This is a family run organization fueled by the idea that children should remain children for as long as possible. These children range from ages 4 to 16; the younger children assist their moms when shopping and the older children work most of the day. The organization assists the kids by helping them in schools, taking them on trips, giving them meals every Saturday, and on holidays, providing them with gifts. Most importantly, Manitos Trabjadoras shows these kids, who are constantly ignored, the compassion, love, and knowledge that they are not invisible.
The Glimpsers stepped in the shoes of these children for a day, helping them sell cotton candy, toys, snacks, and shine shoes. Through spending hours with these children (and shedding a few tears before leaving), we Glimpsers have most certainly gained a new found and further developed appreciation for what we all have back in America, and have made it our goals to set aside our assumptions about poverty in order to strive for creating a better community back home.
After the emotionally draining activities from the morning/afternoon, the Glimpsers headed back to the hotel to prepare for the CAP (Community Action Project) panel presentations with three representatives from the school we are partnered with. Glimpsers shared their ideas of painting murals, repainting sections of the school, and cleaning and renovating the bathrooms. All of these ideas were well received and the three representatives from the school demonstrated a great appreciation and lots of enthusiasm for our thoughtful preparation for making their school a better environment for them and their students.
As usual, dinner followed afterwards, our nightly meeting, which consisted of ups and downs about the day along with passing the torch to the new leaders, big love shoutouts to everyone and finally a unity clap with the word “humanity.”
I So proud of all the things you learning Breana. Mommy miss you everyday??.
Absolutely beautiful an a great quote life changing moment ⛪️?
I’m crying reading today’s post. Manitos Trabjadoras sounds like a great organization and I’m so happy to hear you were able to work with them. I’m also happy to hear about the awareness and perspective you’ve gained. We all often live in our bubble, with like minded people and similar experiences, that we don’t realize what the world is like outside of it. GG is truly emmersing you in another community. I hope you all become ambassadors for Riobamba for years to come and teach us all back at home about what you’ve learned. (Eliza – are you journaling?)
I look forward to hearing what CAP you work on and hope to see before and after pictures. You kids and GG are spectacular! Keep up the good work.
xoxo,
Jodi
Global Glimpsers, you should all be so proud of yourselves for this day you spent helping others in the community. I’m so glad that the precious moments you were all able to experience in the lives and shoes of others were captured in these beautiful pictures.
Buen Trabajo!
X
Wow! What an emotional day in action. I shed a tear or 2 reading about it- it must have been emotional for you all to experience that reality. So proud of you all and especially my Josh for having these experiences and contributing to changing our world, You may not realize it today, but this will change you and make you better people. Have a great day Josh – love you – and cannot wait to hear about this all in person! xoxoxo
Beautiful quote enjoy your life changing moment ?
It sounds challenge to help the children to make change by themselves! Sometimes a little change can help a lot! Great job!
Keep enjoying the rest of the trip!
Take care
Hi Josh and all the Global Glimpsers – So proud of the work you are doing and happy that you have this experience of a lifetime. Enjoy it all! Love you Josh!
I couldn’t be more impressed of you all hearing about amazing things you have accomplished in just the past few days . Sounds intellectually, spiritually and emotionally challenging and inspiring.
Big hugs to Josh!!
Love Dad
Hi Michelle and all the global glimpsers. So proud of all the great work you guys are doing. I’m so happy that you’re getting to experience this great journey. We all miss you and love you. Keep up all the great work….
Reading this post brought tears to my eyes. It’s amazing what having a little empathy and awareness can do. I am so proud of all of you and the work that you have done!
You are my inspiration and have confirmed my belief that our future is bright!
I love you Danny?Can’t wait to give you one of my mama bear hugs! ~
Love, mom
This sounds like a really great eye-opening experience!
Good job,Alvin,day before come home,please give me call,let me know,wish you have a good one..
Hi Josh, This is all very fascinating to me. It sure seems like tutoring is but one component of your “mission,” and a mission it is. Did I see you in one of the pictures with the basketball in hand? It wasn’t today–.. I would love to hear about that piece… playing games with the kids. It’s another way to teach.
So… a long time ago, I remember this about Spanish: The English language is messed up– there are exceptions to tons of grammar rules. I am wondering how you convey all that.
Well… that aside, I am enjoying seeing what you are doing, learning, and can’t wait to hear your perspective on the humanitarian aspects… ah, yes.. while I have all these thoughts, that very, very important point has not escaped my attention. It would have to be life changing in certain respects. Can’t wait to hear about it! Love, Aunt Michelle
Yay, sleeping in till 8am – welcomed treat for everyone I’m sure!
Another emotional day for you Glimpsers to hear about and see little children having to work to support their families to survive – very hard for me too to read about this … gives you a totally new perspective on life!
I’m very proud of you all for making a difference in these people’s lives and undoubtedly them making a dirrerence in your lives! Keep up the good work!
We love you Matilda – so nice to see pictures of you ❤️? xox
Hello Kevin; and group. I can not believe how much this program does for these young people! Kevin you are so blessed to be a part of this wonderful organization, and I would LOVE to see you and all of the other young Global Glimpsers continue to lead and remain a part of this. The work you guys are doing is truly a blessing. As this week counts down your return to your own communities, I am so sure that you all will return with a vault of knowledge in your heart and your heads! Love you Kevin and can not wait too hear even more of the good work you guys have done. See you Saturday, meantime “keep blogging”
Wow.. as a social worker it makes me proud to see the work you are all doing! You should all know that every bit you do is making a huge difference in the lives of those you are helping. Keep up the amazing work!!! Danny your Tia is so proud of you… can’t wait to hear all about your experience.
Hi mi princesa!
I’m your aunt Cecy!
You don’t know the great happiness I’m feeling for you. I am very proud of you!
I’m happy for the opportunity that life is giving you to live this experience that will impact your life.
You will discover that there are not nationality or language barriers to understand and share love with others, because love is universal.
You’ll learn that there are many ways to show empathy and love to people who God has put in your way. God has set this experience to touch your heart and for you to find the great meaning that life has. I’m very proud of your heart’s generosity.
Thanks to the people who gave you the opportunity to fulfill you dream. God bless them.
Love,
Your aunt Cecy.
*You are the daughter I always wanted to have. Love you tortuguita!