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June 2019 is a month that will always mean the world to me. I got to travel to Riobamba, Ecuador, with Global Glimpse. The program is run in schools across the Bay Area, Chicago, and the NYC area. The program is able to exist at Silver Creek because of efforts from Mrs. Cuevas and Mrs. Hartman to make sure students engage in the program. One of their many responsibilities as G.G. Leaders. For the 2019 trips, both worked endlessly to select hundreds of students for nominations, including me. That’s how this life-changing adventure began.
Day 1: A voice came over the airport speakers letting us know that it was time. Twenty-one strangers heading to Ecuador with the purpose of immersing themselves into the beauties and realities of a developing country. I recalled the hectic morning of last minute packing and the ride to SFO that followed. My mantra for the day was “deep breaths”. Deep breaths after my family hugged me goodbye. Deep breaths as I sat in my assigned seat. I had to remind myself why I came here in the first place. The repetition in life had to be broken by the uncertainty and liveliness that I’ve been pushing away. Global Glimpse was the perfect opportunity as its purpose is to teach high schoolers how to become leaders while learning about the developing world. My heart was beating in rhythm with the plane’s roaring engines. As reality fell upon me, the plane rose from the runway. At that point, the Bay Area shrunk from the window and anxiety became my only emotion. On the final flight, I processed the loneliness I felt in SFO and the layover in Houston until I passed out. I awoke to the plane descending into Quito, where we would have to meet our in-country coordinators and hop onto a bus for the hotel. I chose a seat where I’d be alone (no surprise there) and watched the dimly lit streets pass by us. Hotel Ambassador gave me Winchester vibes. I experienced so many twists and turns when finding my room with my three roommates. As we were winding down, we had a few laughs about the quirks of the room. Day 2: The morning after, I forced myself to clear my plate because I needed calories to make the three hour ride to our real destination, Riobamba! I can’t begin to describe the country’s beauty. The vast foothills can’t compare to California’s. It took me a moment to process the place we’d all home for the next two weeks, Hotel La Primavera. After the move-in and tour, we ate our lunch as the coordinators gave us a rundown for the program. Guests would be arriving to teach us a cultural dance. I didn’t care how stupid I looked. The energy of the dancers was too hard to resist. Everyone was having a good time, wearing the outfits given to us and letting loose. This was only one of the many experiences from Global Glimpse that removed me from my comfort zone. Day 4: The most eye-opening event took place during Deconstructing Poverty. We met up with the organization, Manitos Trabajadores, at Parque Maldonado. This is where Flor and Javier Fabricio continue the family’s program of helping street kids. Kids, aged 7 to 13, who work nearly everyday either selling candy or shining shoes to receive money for school. The program occasionally put together trips for them if resources are available. We arrived on a Saturday, meaning they would be serving lunch to the children. We introduced ourselves to the kids while in groups. It turns out that they’ve been waiting almost a year for this visit. For half an hour we played games like Ninja and Pato, Pato, Ganso (Duck, Duck, Goose). I felt like a kid again! But the younger me wouldn’t be prepared for what we had to do next. In groups of four, we assisted the children in whatever needed selling. All in Spanish of course. We made decent money selling algodón de azúcar and chicle. Also got glares and attitude from some locals, but the majority took time to listen to our cause. Lunch was filled with laughter, but as we finished Javier’s closing speech, many of the kids didn’t want us to leave. It was a bittersweet day. Day 6: Education day. The one that I was most excited, yet nervous for. Days prior, we were paired up in order to create lesson plans for English tutoring. My pair was in charge of an intermediate class. Thank goodness for that. My Spanish isn’t strong enough to guide them. When we parked in front of the school, UE Kolping, it was surreal. The students were holding some sort of assembly. This gave us time to prepare the classroom for the day’s lesson. The whole process of opening the doors, aligning desks, and writing the day’s agenda felt so thrilling. Teaching is a career path that I wanted to explore and the opportunity was occurring right in front of me. The bell brought our students running to class as we finished up our prep. All them were eager to learn, but more excited to see these Americans teach them. Luckily, we taught children and teenagers instead of adults. Throughout the whole experience I felt a responsibility to give them the best education. Education isn’t exactly free there, so every minute mattered. That doesn’t mean we didn’t have fun. Everyone enjoyed the class icebreakers and the soccer games against our rivals from the other classes. Gosh. Leaving them was so hard. I was taken aback on the final day when students hugged me goodbye. I saw so much potential in their talents and dreams. They want to receive a proper education and eventually travel beyond the lovely Riobamba. I wish them all the best. In Part Ⅱ, I will describe our visit to an indigenous community situated in Guamote to work like a local. We also begin to turn our plan for the Community Action Project (CAP) into reality and travel to Baños to witness its beautiful waterfalls. See you in the next installment. |
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