Volunteering in Ecuador

It's high time to continue our story. We're already back to our countries but our minds are still in South America and we have lots of adventures to describe, pictures to upload and fortunately our small notebook kept the details;)

We finally got to the school where we arranged a short-term volunteering. The school was located in Salasaca which is a traditional Quechua community. The town is very small - there are only few shops and one main street. People there are quiet conservative and rather closed. They speak Quechua language but we managed also to communicate in Spanish, however with some small 'misunderstandings'. People wear traditional clothes: women - green or red ponchos, white shirt and long black skirts with a typical belt called 'chumpi' and men black ponchos, white shirt and trousers. We could also observe people wearing tipical shoes or hats. Of course, not all of them are dressed like this but when coming to Salasaca you would easily notice its particular dress code. We were also told that the community works together in order to improve the environment where they live. One evening we heard a voice talking on the megaphone - the person was asking inhabitants of Salasaca to help in cleaning the riverside at 6 in the morning the next day. Another example could be when parents helped to build a playground close to Salasaca school. We also learned that the cash flow there almost doesn't exist as people are pretty self-sufficient. Some parents (mostly men) work outside Salasaca in a "more regular" job from which they get cash. However, they all grow their own fruits and vegetables and have animals such as cows, lambs and guinea pigs (yeah, that's Ecuadorian specialty;). They also produce their wool and clothes. In case they need something else they can always exchange their products with neighbors or simply sell them to get some cash.

View from Pacha Mama

Volunteers' house

 

'Puka antawa' means red car in Quechua language, try to guess what means 'Ankas wasi';)

More examples in Quechua

On the way from school to Pacha Mama

Our shy friend from Salasaca

What are you looking at?!

After arrival to Salasaca we took a pick-up truck to get to 'Pacha Mama' (Mother Nature) - name of the hill where a volunteers' house is located. It's a very big house with plenty of rooms but at this time there were only two more volunteers: Natalie from Peru and Rodrigo from Uruguay. At the very beginning we met Robert who comes from the United States and founded the school. He created the NGO which collects money to provide teachers, food and whole school infrastructure. The government pays only for one part-time teacher and breakfast but wants to keep control over it and placed there a headteacher who seems to be interested only in keeping an eye on Robert (doesn't really care how children are doing).

On the way to school

 Jordi's favorite - small Justa

With Justa

Listen to children singing national anthem of Ecuador (it was a teacher's method to make them ocupied):

The next day we went down the hill to take a school truck close to the library (also founded by Robert). The truck picks up all the children every morning and brings them to school (but if they're late they can either come on foot or simply skip the classes). At the beginning the children were observing us with curiosity but as soon as we arrived to school they started to hug us, touch our hair and jump on us (literally!). The classes started and at first we were told to go to together to the fourth, highest grade - there were only four classes composed of 4-5 children each. However, the headteacher came and asked Karolina "to help him" with the third grade. It turned out that he just wanted to have a break, told her to do some English and left the classroom. Jordi was told to do some Algebra with the oldest students. At the beginning we were hesitating what we should do and at which level but soon we realised that the programme is not really specified or even important.  The children have only one notebook which is used in different subjects both in Spanish and Quechua. They have also a very limited number of books, mostly in Quechua so we had no clue what they had already learned and what they didn't. Jordi printed out some Algebra worksheets from Internet and found out this way that even children from the same grade have different level of knowledge. For example, one of the students finished multiplication test after 5 minutes while another child needed over 20 minutes to do the same. Karolina combined English and Art classes. Children had a chance  to practice their English while making some paper-cut or cards for Mother's Day. At the moment we can see that the main aim of this school isn't really to teach them but more to keep them occupied (without it most of them would have to work in agriculture with their parents) and getting them interested in other subjects. All they have to learn is basic calculations and with a bit of luck they have a chance to get enrolled to higher grades.

 Art classes with Karolina

He's cute, isn't he?

A nice example of typical Quechua clothes

Karolina with the youngest children

Reading a book

Believe us or not but children ate those mushrooms without cleaning them or cooking

Classes were often held outside

Teacher and the students

After classes we had a free time and usually we were going to the centre of the town to buy something or simply to walk around. One day we met Orlando who studies English. He was very kind and even let us take a shower in his sister's house (in Pacha Mama we had only freezing water). In exchange we helped him with his homework and enjoyed a lot to listen about tradition and life in Salasaca. We are so happy that we met Orlando and so quickly became friends!

Every Friday there was recycling activity at school

 They were inseparable

Children enjoyed a lot making paper cut (from Kurpie;), as well as Jordi!

Jordi organised also some sport activities

Gringa - volunteering dog

Time to go

Although we spent only five days in Salasaca it was a very important experience that enriched our trip. We were volunteers and our task was to teach children but we also learned there a lot. We realised that a town or school can be united and despite poor conditions can offer a lot to its inhabitants or students. In Europe, we're used to public service financed by taxes we pay. In Salasaca we could observe very different model which is based on involvement and work of individuals. We left Pacha Mama and took a bus in direction of Cuenca but this is a place we'll describe in the next post.