Family Day, and we were swept up in the fun!

On the way to the site we had an excellent Spanish lesson. When we arrived, there were dozens of adults there with their children to volunteer alongside us.

We were sent to the store to buy scrubbers to remove the paint from the grates. We had an adventure purchasing the scrubbing brushes for the grates. When we got to the store, the manager paid for the scrubbing pads since I didn't have any money. Then when we went back to the store later, Eric reimbursed him.

Eric also commented that the bathroom in the paint store is the finest in Ecuador!

The center had organized a fabulous family day emceed by the president of FUNDAC with a mariachi band and great dancing by the tías. Our group was swept up in the fun and dancing and had a memorable time.

Entry submitted by: Blair Caple

Kenny and mothers who came to help paint –

one who swears she had meant Kenny before!

During our Spanish lesson on the way to the site, I learned some very important phrases including how to say "I'm single" and "I don't know whether I want have children", both of which I've already forgotten.

When we arrived at the site, we were greeted by dozens of parents, all of whom were ready to work. They cleaned out the shed while Matt and I worked on the scaffolding, touching up the yellow beam. After getting sun burnt, we all proceeded to dance with the local families celebrating Center One's family day and showing off our numerous moves in the form of interpretive dance. After lunch, when most of the building seemed to be completed, the "grey heads" (the older generation of our volunteer team) went out and bought blue paint to give some color to the surrounding structures. If there were any doubts that the day was a success, they were delightfully dispelled by the sight of the president of FUNDAC running and laughing alongside our bus as we pulled away.

Entry submitted by: Colin Tofel

Mitch and his new little buddy

Family day celebration

Seija and Elvia cuttin’ the rug

Maddy dancing with a father from the daycare center

The kids couldn’t get enough of Matt and his games

Margarita and Mitch dancing it up

Jeanne and Elvia, president of FUNDAC

The tías’ dance performance of bomba – a traditional dance from Chota Valley

And then Kenny asked to be taught how to dance bomba and,

of course, two mothers were happy to show him

Colin and Margarita

Messages of the Day – Stephen Blum:

"I have never let my schooling interfere with my education." – Mark Twain

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." – Mark Twain 

“Some go out to fleece and come back sheared.” – Ecuadorian proverb

“Hands that give, also receive.” – Ecuadorian proverb