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ECUADOR 2006/2007

Adventuresome travel awaited our ITS travel group of thirteen students and their teachers. Mr. Beaton, Mr. Jenkins and Ms. Hoogendoorn. Ecuador has been called a living textbook and, although this country is tiny, it has one of the most diverse ecosystems in the world. Our group trekked through dense and steamy rainforests and enjoyed striking volcanic landscapes. They experienced an array of indigenous cultures, and grew to appreciate this country which is so blessed with cultural and natural majesty. Ecuador has another side though, grinding poverty exists and some children live in dire conditions. To be able to help these children was paramount in our students' minds. It was immensely uplifting and rewarding to watch the children's response as our senior students interacted with them.

"The most significant part of the trip for me was when we went to the local school where we painted and interacted with the school children. The children were so accepting - they didn't care who we were, only that we were there and we were giving them attention that they so desperately missed. Mr. Jenkins told me, "There is one thing to like kids, but there is another thing to love them". That got me thinking about a little girl I met in Quito. Allsion is 10 years old and she wanted me to hold on to her for the whole time we were at the school. She didn't care about the language barrier and kept talking to me in Spanish. I absolutely loved the small time that I was with her. It was amazing to see the children's faces light up when we arrived. Poverty is a fact of life in Ecuador - unfinished houses and tin roofs. The children barely have anything yet appreciate whatever they do have. We have so much - education, clothing, houses, families - everything we need and yet we take things for granted. We need to appreciate the things we have and use them to our advantage".

"There were so many memorable experiences! The most significant experience for me was when we went to the school and nursery and worked with the children. It was shocking to see how sick all the children were. Every child had a runny nose and cough. At nap time 10 kids slept in one bed in a tiny, hot room. As I sat there and rocked a child to sleep I wondered how anyone could sleep in these conditions. I realized it is their way of life. The kids were so excited we were there. They couldn't understand anything we said but it didn't matter - they loved playing with us. It was made clear that they don't get much attention from their teachers and how important our visit was. It is hard to explain the feelings you get when you see these kids. They make you feel cheerful because of their great attitudes but at the same time your heart fills with sadness because they have so little. Working with these kids changed my life. They taught me not to take the little things - a bed to sleep in and clean water to drink - for granted. They taught me not to pity them because pity doesn't help. People need to understand what they are going through so that they can effectively help them and their situation. Now that I am home I have had time to think about a way I can carry on the work we did in Ecuador. I have decided that I am going to actively take part in the ONE campaign to make poverty history because now I have seen the devastation that poverty creates and I understand why it needs to end".