“Consumers have not been told effectively enough that they have huge power and that purchasing and shopping involve a moral choice” – Anita Roderick
“Imanallya” from today’s leaders (“hello”in Kichwa, the language of the indigenous people in our region) Perla and Andrew. Today we had an early wake up call. As leaders we woke up earlier than usual, Andrew woke up at 5:00 and I (Perla) woke up at 5:30. At 6:30 we got on the bus and traveled one hour to another community named Guamote, to have a special breakfast with locals from that community rather than having breakfast in the hotel as usual. For breakfast we had one of their traditional meals which included fresh cheese, freshly made rolls, ceviche, chocho beans and homemade honey! We then learned about their community, one big take away was the communal connectedness. Everyone in that community including young girls and boys from the ages of 4 helped in the manual day to day work. Some of these activities include cooking in the kitchen, moving firewood up hills without modern technology, moving rocks up and down so that they could build a pool for the kids in the community to have fun once they have finished working after a long day.
The 28 Glimpsers were split into three groups in order to help with the community’s manuals work. One group
helped Gloria (a prominent member of the community’s daughter in law) bring enough wood for 3 years up a very steep hill which had her house located at the top. It was a new experience for us the Glimpsers because we saw at first hand how hard they have to work to meet their daily demands. During our experience we realized that carrying wood was not as easy as it seems due to such a high altitude that we are not used to as well as a steep and slippery climb. Another obstacle that we faced was getting splinters in our hands and the enormous and heavy logs we had to carry. Another group task was to carry rocks in order to make a community pool. They were also given a tour of the leaders land (Cesar) who showed them many vegetables, guinea pigs, cows, dogs, and donkeys. He also picked carrots for them and let them taste how an organic carrot without any taste of chemicals or processing truly tasted. A member of the group compared this to the farming process that we use in the United States. The third and final group was assigned to carry rocks a which will be used to build a pig enclosure. We all came to an agreement that it was all hard work that we weren’t expecting.
The final activity with the locals was having and preparing local lunch. For lunch we enjoyed some chicken that they had raised on the farm, soup, a mixture of vegetables that the community had harvested themselves, tomato salad last and homemade pineapple juice which was delicious. After having lunch and sharing our new experiences we thanked the hosts for letting us experience their daily life and showing us that there is more to education than just the theoretical knowledge. We then headed off to our busses and traveled one hour back to the hotel. After a day’s hard work we got a 30 minute break. Some people slept and showered during this time. This was followed by an hour and a half session of writing appreciation letters to the Global Glimpse donors. We then had another quick break, and went to an early dinner and nightly meeting as everyone was exhausted from the day’s work.
After today’s experience we realized how hard others have to work in order to get life’s basic necessities in ways we never thought of! With a close of today’s activities we ended the nightly meeting with a unity clap of “Sticks and stones”.
Today sounded like hard work yet I’m sure you all were so humble and helpful! I can’t wait to hear what you did today, Sabrina! Love, mom
So glad you didn’t eat pork today. That pig in the photo is so cute!! Sounds like you all had such a physically exhausting day. I’m sure a nap and a good night sleep is needed. I’m sure the community appreciated having your help today. You achieved a lot.
Btw – your breakfast sounded so good!
xoxo,
Jodi
Hey tigga you see I’m finally getting this blog thing down…if this is the right/latest one lol. Anywho I love and miss you as you know but on another note. BOOOY you sure do look strong on these photos strong enough to come home and do a few things around this house lol. Speak to you soon and that keep working on that back I’m thinking about changing around this livingroom ?.love ya
Wow today really seem like it was a hard day and I’m grateful that Breana was given this opportunity to help others. Breana mommy can’t wait to have you back home miss you so much?
Imanallya to all you Glimpsers and thank you Perla and Andrew for today’s post and pictures.
Hauling rocks and firewood up those steep hills and doing other physically demanding chores I’’m sure makes your chores at home, like loading/emptying the dishwasher, taking the trash out and keeping your room neat and clean amongst other things we as your parents ask you to do to help us out, feel like a walk in the park. I hope your experience today made you realize and feel the gratitude the local people felt for your help and also makes you realize and feel the gratitude your parents feel for you when you help us out around the house or with other chores.
Thank you for sharing with us this experience you all had and thank you for being such amazing individuals with such good hearts!
Matilda, all is well here with your dad and I and we cannot wait to talk to you on Monday! Much love, kisses and hugs!! ❤️
Hey Frank, I’m so glad to see you enjoying yourself. I miss your smile and the picture plucked at my heart strings a little bit… May you and your fellow glimpsers be safe and continue to learn and explore throughout the remainder of your stay in Ecuador. See you soon, love you!!!
Another day well lived!
Josh-I love you.
Hugs Dad
A lot of work you all did today….Josh, that seemed like a work out , no? 🙂 Anyway, each day has something meaningful and special about it – keep enjoying them!! Love you, Josh!
Sooooo, Andrew,
Are you bringing that cute Guinea pig home? Firefly will be jealous!
Is school looking better now after carrying logs and rocks?!
YATB
Mom
Oh how I look forward to reading your post every morning!
Hey Danny, that’s a pretty big axe your holding!? Glad you are getting a good workout while still helping others.
Miss you! Love, Mom?
Hey Tigga today’s blog made me see the scope of the experiences you glimpsers are having there..I’m sure you guys found the work difficult but imagine that for these people this is a way of life..I’m sure it makes the things you guys do in your everyday life here seem small..remember God brought u guys to this experience for a reason..learn all u can from it..always remember you r always worth your own time and energy..Love U n c U soon
Working hard! I sure your guys enjoy the new experience in Guamote.
Alvin, what was you work with the stone or saw wood?
Miss you! Love mon
I am very happy that you are learning new things and giving a helping hand to others. God bless you and protect you, we love you and missed you.
Hey Perla,
Great post. I am glad to see you were leader of the day and got to learn a lot about appreciating what you have because others have to work really hard for their basic necessities.
Glad to see Frank’s smiling face.
Sounds like a great breakfast, like everything, but that woods carrying must have taken all of it. I rememeber back in the days when my friends and I used to go to the “montes” to get woods just for fun and sometimes to build little houses for animals. I remember building a nice one for a pig of ours back in DR.
It was not easy at all even when it was for fun. Ohh boy, rough/fun times lol
Hii Stacy!! Miss you so much. Can’t wait to see you again! Love you <3
Hi Lisa, I am excited to see you. Thi is a beautiful picture. It looks like all of you worked very hard. I know you like to help others and that is very nice of you. I love you so much. Miss you.God bless you.