Wow...I just have to say this past week has been one of the best experiences of my life. We were just living in a Quichua community for the past 6 days in a town in Ecuador called Agualongo. I have never lived in an area which had so little but had so much in their hearts.
When we first arrived the people welcomed us with open arms. All the little kid's shining faces lit up as they shook each of our hands. We ate soup with the community and then played one of the most exciting games of futbol (soccer) with all the kids...they just dont stop running and they are amazing! I stayed in a home with one of our teacher's Cara and my friends Laura and Melissa. We slept on matts on the dirt floor of our wonderful host family's small home. Suzanna (the mom) Manuel (the dad) Tanya, who was 12, Hernand 11, Elvis 8, and Sadie 3 opened there house to us and by the second night I felt as if I was eating dinner with my family. We had discussions, played games, taught english words, and ate on the matts of their kitchen floor as we ate dinner. The kids were so smart and amazing and I felt like I instantly bonded with them.
We taught English classes to the kids of the community in the afternoons...they were so eager to learn which was an amazing feeling to be surrounded by. As we stood in the community center with our lesson plan posters they chanted my name Phoe be! Phoe be! And sang Old McDonald. Franklin, one of the smartest boys caught on immediately. He wants to be a doctor because his dad just died of an infection so he has an interest in helping sick people. His family barely has enough money to put their 7 kids through school.
On Saturday and Sunday we participated in a Minga, a big project the community puts together once a year with the help of the traveling school. This year we built bathrooms for the community kindergarden which was a lot of work but so worth it. I helped dig a 5 meter hole for the ceptice system, we carried 20 pound cinder blocks, we mixed cement, and we got really dirty. It was so cool to see the community come together and get the project done. We had an amazing goodbye ceremony where they served us Qui, gunieau pig (a delicacy of ecuador)all that they have, and we danced. It was an amazing time.
Well that is it for now because i have to be back at the hostel but i will check in soon.
Love Phoebe