Wednesday, 21 July, 2010

Message for the day:

“Nothing in the world can take the place of Persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful men with talent. Genius will not, unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan “press on” has solved and always will solve the problems of the human races.”

Calvin Coolidge

Our day started with an egg-less breakfast but a good coffee (thanks to Josh & Darcy). We arrived at the center #2 after a quick drive through a clean landscape of tall mountains and urban chaos. For the first time since we have been here, no clouds crowded the skyline. Upon arrival we all went to different jobs. Delia with Kathleen went to help Tia Patty feed (or force feed) the babies downstairs. Mattie, a 15-month-old child with one ear and big melancholic eyes, welcomed us with a smile. I couldn’t believe Tia Patty was eating the same unidentifiable substances the kids were eating. The morning went by very fast, punctuated by libros time, music and dance. Both Kathleen and Delia had to sing to the kids who unknowingly were exposed to fragments of Japanese and Italian children songs. Since there was a little bit of time left after the kids’ lunch, Patty instructed us to help move the cement blocks at the construction site. After lunch as soon as I entered the room Patty gave me a bunch of instructions, filled my arms with clothes and ran downstairs to attend the English lesson. Here I was left alone with the kids (who said “a tia is always with you”?). I did what I was told to do (chanted clothes, spray and comb hair, changed diapers, etc.) let the kids play freely in the room, and yes let them take all the toys out of the boxes. When Patty came back first thing she said was that I had to put all the toys back after the kids left.

Hey, but we all survived, no injuries, no crying! I did it.

Meanwhile, out back, work continued on paving the courtyard. Whereas yesterday had consisted of moving junk around to clean the space, and hauling it up to the roof (for future G.V. to haul back down at a later date) today’s work was much more satisfying. We started with a level dirt lot, and a big pile of sand. Using buckets and a rickety wheelbarrow, John, Peggy, Isaac, Leo and I together with the local volunteers hauled the sand in and spread it around. Under the watchful eye of master Rodrigo, and with the mangy dog barking orders from the rooftop, we formed a human chain and passed the pavers from hand to hand into the lot. Four truckloads of pavers. By the way, this was a great lesson in teamwork. None of us can keep up with Peggy, who is twice our age and works twice as hard.

After mercifully stopping for lunch and a brief respite from the hot sun, we continue dropping pavers into place. By this time we are a well-oiled machine and making quick progress. Leo especially enjoys placing the pavers just so and knocking them into place. Why can’t I get him to be so meticulous when it comes to cleaning his room at home?

By 3:00 pm we are finished paving for the day. We are dusty, sore, sunburned, and tired to the bone, but satisfied with the progress we’ve made. We can see our work progressing and speak of plans for tomorrow. The boys have stopped complaining, probably equal parts exhaustion, and satisfaction with a good day of work.

Entry and message submitted by:
Delia & Aaron

Tuesday, 20 July 2010

At the end of the second day working with the children of Calderon, Henry said, “I can tell that every day is a new day in the baby room.” As I write this, he and Theo are reviewing each of the babies: Mojses the energetic one who always smiles, James, the one who pushes, Samantha, a future Olympic medal winner, David, whom they are teaching to walk, and Steven, who I personally watched fall apart when Karen had to leave today. He calls her “Mama.”

As for me, I was surprisingly happy to see my little rascals today. Tia Gaby’s room is full of energy, but when she challenges them they are focused and clearly love learning. Tia was especially tired. She smiled less and yelled more than yesterday. But she told me about her life, and I learned that when she isn’t working at the school, she is a single mother, trying to learn English and hoping to come to America. And as the day wears on, the kids break through her had shell over and over, getting her to laugh – and in turn she makes them laugh. While waiting in the room for our turn to go out to the lunch area, she broke into song and dance – something about “elefantes” and the kids’ faces glowed. Now – for those of you who are not members of my family, you wouldn’t appreciate the irony of Josh and Eli standing side by side at the kitchen sink, washing dishes, picking through beans, peeling plantains, & slicing carrots. Personally I am thoroughly enjoying Tia Olga’s domination over them, as she overlooks every move they make with a fierce eagle eye. It remains to be seen whether this will translate into a long-standing commitment to kitchen work… time will tell.

On the bus ride home, the sound of conversation was punctuated with voices, describing the children that drive them crazy, the children they already love, the ways of the tias, & the missing construction tools. The voices are exhausted, thoughtful and happy. There is a lot of laughing.

This leads us to the message of the day, coined by the esteemed British philosophers, Monty Python:

“Always look on the bright side of life.”

Entry and message submitted by:
Darcy

Monday, 19 July 2010

Message of the Day:

“We ought to be doing all we can do make it possible for every child to fulfill his or her God-given potential.” Hillary Rodham Clinton

We begin our first day of “real” volunteering with a breakfast of cereals, breads, jams, fruits, yogurt, juice and coffee at 0700. Our missing volunteer, Linda Longtin, arrived Sunday at 12:30 and joined us for breakfast. After a hearty breakfast, the bus arrived promptly at 0800 and took us to Calderon, home of daycare center 1 and 2. After an orientation by Lily, coordinator for FUNDAC, all 21 volunteers busied themselves with various tasks helping the tias in the kitchen or with the children. At 1300, we all broke for a lunch of vegetable or vegetable beef soup, spaghetti with potato and cheese or spaghetti with potato and meat sauce followed by fresh pineapple slice for dessert. Afterwards, we all returned to our respective work stations where Karen frantically tried to learn the Spanish phrase for “I do Not change diapers” and Aaron developed blisters on his hands from chopping carrots with a dull knife and removing screws with a less than ideal screwdriver. At 1600, the bus picked us up and returned the “cansada” volunteers to the Sold de Quito Museum Hotel. During our two hours of free time, Kathy and Karen purchased water for our group while other volunteers did errands or rested. At 1830 we reconvened for a delicious supper at the hotel. After supper the volunteers shared first impressions of the daycare centers and then retired for the evening.

Entry and message submitted by Peggy

Sunday, 18 July

Message of the Day:

“Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out”
-Anonymous

“Bienvenidos!” reads the sign to our breakfast and meeting area as we are welcomed by our team leader, Kristina Herman Hill. We are informed that we will be the 138th Global Volunteer Team to serve on the Ecuador project. After every volunteer enjoyed their wonderful breakfast provided by the phenomenal staff at the Sol de Quito Museum Hotel, we commenced with our introductions of twenty of twenty-one volunteers present this day. Following our introductions of learning names to faces and brief background information exchange, we proceeded to signing up for the daily journal chronicling and message of the day duties. Kristina proceeded to provide us with a brief summary of the historical Global Volunteer service establishment at Calderon. She then guided us through the service manual provided by Global Volunteers to review and discuss the Philosophy and Service, additional duties to be undertaken by the volunteers to assist Kristina, daily schedule review, sign up for projects, team goals, review of characteristics of an effective team, discussion of the Global Volunteer policies and guidelines and general information about Ecuador. A brief overview and welcome orientation were provided by representatives from the Calderon community, Yolanda and Malakita. Five team goals were developed by the team:

1. To meet people and grow through relationships.
2. To help others and make a difference.
3. To learn about Ecuadorian culture.
4. To not take things fro granted and remind myself to stop whining/complaining.
5. To practice Spanish.

Any donations brought to Ecuador by volunteers are to be collected by Kristi by Wednesday or Thursday to be presented on behalf of the team volunteers:

Coordinator duties to assist Kristina:

1. Kathy & Karen: stocking water
2. Mary & John: free time
3. Bobbie & Breanna: health & safety/first aid kits
4. Colleen & Peggy: meals
5. Ann & Kathleen: final celebration 2nd week
6. Darcy & Josh: final celebration 1st week

After lunch, Kristina provided the volunteers with a Spanish lesson with the inclusion of practice time. We ended the day of programming with optional “free time” activity suggestions provided by two tour guides, Martin and Andres. John and Mary, volunteer coordinators for free time will post sign-up sheets for all to finalize decisions regarding the weekend tours, dance program, salsa dancing or other additional programs.

Our initial day of full orientation came to a close with a delightful meal prepared by the staff at Sol de Quito Museum Hotel. ¡Buenos suenos!

Entry and message submitted by: Kathleen

Day 12, January 14, 2010

Message of the Day from Barbara: WILL YOU EVER BRING A BETTER GIFT FOR THE WORLD THAN THE BREATHING RESPECT THAT YOU CARRY WHEREVER YOU GO RIGHT NOW?

This has been quite a full week already. We have all worked really hard and some of us are needing a rest from the daily activities. But it is not time to slow down just yet. There are still things to be done.

This morning it was our delightful breakfast as usual with our thought for the day and journal reading from yesterday read by Cora. Then it was everyone off to the work centers.

About mid morning Sue and I finished the grouting for the upstairs room that Barbara and I had worked so hard on. It was the remaining room that had not been grouted. I have to say it looks really good for a trio of first-time grouters. I’m not sure but I think Maestro was impressed. I know I was.

Jackie and Joanna worked with Kathy and Alexandra in construccion with the 3 – 4 year olds. Their project today was making footprints. They painted each child’s foot, one foot yellow and one foot blue and made their footprints on white paper. From upstairs I could hear the kids laughing about getting their feet tickled. Joanna and Jackie were happy to finally get the kids outside in the sunshine. The ninos loved it.

Cora was with Paty and the babies. Cora tells a story about one of the babies, Anahyi, who has had a fever. She was given a liquid Aleve and then rubbed down all over with a lemon. The tias are convinced it was the lemon and not the Aleve that broke her fever. It is felt all around that these little ones are going to miss Cora as much as she will miss them. Not to mention how much Paty will miss Cora. I really don’t know how Paty manages on her own.

Barbara spent the morning with a new child. The little girl cried all morning. Barbara finally got her to stop crying, but the group sang a song about mothers and children, which started her crying again.

Glenda was with Sandra today, and they also had a new child. They were singing and dancing every time I looked at them. They also recruited one of the workers from outside to lead in the dancing to the always beautiful Ecuadorean music.

Joanna and Meredith had a nice break, getting a manicure by Paolina’s mother, Janet, who is also an artist like Marguerita. Joanna got a really nice French manicure, while I got some fancy stripes with sparkles.

Judy and Shannon were at Center #1 today. They both thought it was a very pleasant experience and not at all like the first impression we may have had.

I was still feeling under the weather so I took some time off to sit in the swing. As I soaked up the warm sunshine and marveled at the beautiful surrounding Andes mountains, I couldn’t help but be a little awe-inspired by this seemingly less complicated culture. The people, the children, the music, the colors, the language all make up this beautiful collage called Ecuador. I am very glad I came.

Later that evening we went to a wonderful restaurant in Old Town called Hasta la vuelta, Senor. We had a great dinner along with sangria. Everyone had a fun time.

By Meredith

Day 11, January 13, 2010

Message of the Day from Jennie: GIVING IS THE HIGHEST EXPRE3SSION OF OUR POWER.

First, I wish to recap two items: Who we are, and where we are from; and team goals:
Barbara (NY), Glenda and Judy (Boston, MA), Jackie (CA), Shannon (AZ), sisters Meredith (TN) and Joanna (WV), me—Cora (MO), and our beloved leader Jennie (MN).

All of us are between the ages of mid fifties to early seventies and are grandmothers, except Jennie who is in her late twenties, has yet to “bite the bullet into motherhood,” but has mothered each of her Oldies-But-Goodies expertly and compassionately.

Our team goals included: (l) to learn Spanish; (2) to promote goodwill as an ambassador from the U.S.; (3) to serve the children, workers and community; (4) to appreciate Ecuadorian people and their culture; and (5) to enrich our lives. At last evening’s team meeting we all agreed our goals had been more than met. We have also melded into a strong (sometimes strong-willed) team as the 136th to this beautiful country.

We were all together for our breakfast of fresh fruit and juice, yogurt, roll and butter, and guava jelly, cereal and scrambled egg with ham. Joanna will rejoin the team at day care center (DCC) #2 after a 24-hour flu. Meredith and Judy will remain at Sol de Quito to recuperate. Jackie gave us her journal report during the meal. Shannon and Jennie will work at DCC #1.

It is sunny today, beautiful, yet I still have no photos of the Andes, especially Cotopaxi. Jennie used my camera in hopes of capturing the sight for me, but the mountains were shrouded in a haze.

Lunch at our regular spot, Mi Quinta, featured juice for some, potato soup, an entree of chicken, potato cheese patties, beef salad, and red Jello for dessert. We look forward to lunch, to down time, to compare notes. We brought back leftovers for our dog on the roof.

Shannon at DCC #1 with Jennie worked with 3-4 year olds coloring and practicing for their Friday presentation. Jennie also danced with the children.

At DCC #2 Glenda worked with tia Kathy, Jackie with tia Alexandra cutting, dancing, as they practiced for Friday, and reading two books in English. We swept the second floor for grouting.

Barbara cut, sliced, and diced in the kitchen. Joanna and I stayed close to tia Paty, where we shared nine, three of which are infants and most of the group is in diapers, but tia Paty works hard at potty training any toddler over 12 months. Having Joanna sing to the babies is such a treat.

This afternoon at DCC #2, Jennie, Sue, and Jackie prepared art activities for tomorrow while I attempted posters for one of the songs we will use Friday. Shannon at DCC #1 punched holes in art work for the children’s folders and both sje and Jennie helped get the children ready to go home as did those of us at DCC #2.

After a supper of spaghetti and a fruit-filled mousse, we nine, including sickies, were escorted to Jacchigua, a national folklore ballet, by our patient tour guide Martin and driver Carlos (both in suits). We were all pretty spiffy too. Jennie, who’d seen the ballet last year, made other plans—understandably.

Oh were we in for a treat! The small theater was perfect for close viewing and many had front-row seats. The cast attire was authentic Ecuadorian. The music group of four included the pan flute and mandolin (known here by another name). What a wonderful way to wrap up our time here!

Yes, two more work days.

I don’t recall ever working with such a caring and quirky bunch of volunteers. Yes, we are FAMILY.

And, Jen, while this experience would be good anytime, you have made our two weeks absolutely exceptional. Bravo!

So I leave this additional thought: Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. I John 3:18 (NIV)

By Cora

Day 10, January 12, 2010

Message for the Day from Jackie: THE WORLD NEEDS YOUR GIFT AS MUCH AS YOU NEED TO GIVE IT.

I awoke this morning to my regular cheerful good morning from Sue my roommate who is usually up before me. The sun was out!

Breakfast was at 7:15. Our cook Chartio made a nice breakfast as usual. During breakfast Jennie noted that dinner is at 6:30 tonight. A short meeting will follow.

Around 8:00 Pili picked us up at the hotel. The city of Quito comes alive at that time. Riding to Calderon at that time is a learning experience.

After stopping at center #2 first, Sue, Jennie and I went on to center #1. The children were finishing their snacks. The tias greeted us with hugs and kisses. Center #1 is a beautiful old Spanish building (needs a lot of work). It used to be a restaurant I was told. It is also used for a temporary Calderon bus terminal. The children are divided into two rooms, babies, 2-year-olds and 3-to-5-year-olds. I worked with (Yesenta) who has been with the center for 5 years.

For their table project she talked about chickens. The children glued egg shells on traced chickens I prepared the day before.

Tia (Germania) worked with Sue at another table. After craft time we spent some time in the large yard where the children loved the freedom to run and play ball.
At lunch the children always have soup which they love. They had rice, avocado and hominy as well. The tias always made sure they finished their food. Their nap time followed their lunch on floor mats. Jennie, Sue and I left for lunch while they napped at 1:00. Mi Quinta served us lentils, herb rice and pork chop and always soup of the day.

After the children woke up from their nap, Jennie, Sue and I worked on a project which started the previous day as well. We cut out rabbits for their personal pencil boxes and traced chickens, large and small.

Some children loved sitting with us cutting and drawing with scraps of thin foam material. Others just loved having enough space to run and play with each other.
We helped clean up the room when Pili arrived at 4:00. Before we left we said our sad goodbyes.

P.S. I will remember for a long time the tias, the children and the wonderful aromas coming from the kitchen each day!

By Jackie