My Experience

I had no idea what to expect for the trip to Ecuador. I had never that far away from home and never been thrown into an environment so different from what I have at home. I looked forward to spending time with all the guys who I would soon be graduating with and looked forward to helping the people of Ecuador; even though I had no idea what sort of environment they lived in.

Our first few days were quite a shock. The conditions we lived in were very nice and we were taken care of very well. However, everything outside our living quarters was not so pleasant. We were given a tour of the center and learned alot about their very different education system. Instead of getting the kids ready for college like at McQuaid, the children are taught how to survive on the street as low class businessmen. From the ages of 3 or 4 they are given a basic education then once they get older they begin training to become skilled laborers in mechanics and automechanics, carpentry, cosmetics, and food preparation. At first I thought this system was incredibly flawed. I though why not educate these kids to be like us. Why not give them the same sort of education we are getting? By the end of the trip though, I realized that the kids do not have the same options for college that we have much less money to pay for it. Their education would be much better served learning to be skilled workers and that will give them much better chances of succeeding after they graduate.

An experience I considered a great challenge was during my second visit to the "Gota de Leche" center. I was shadowing a volunteer who had to leave shortly after introducing me to her 3 special education students. I was supposed to help them with their multiplication and division skills and also develop some of their English skills. They were very difficult to control and were very easily distracted. And with my limited Spanish, it was difficult to talk to them. However, we all ended up getting along by the end of our 1 hour session and during the last ten minutes i let them listen to my ipod which they loved. This was a challenge I was able to overcome and was very proud of myself afterwards.

A highlight of the trip was definitely the "Minga" or manual labor session we had on sunday. Our entire group went out into the hills surrounding Quito and helped a family build a house. We split up into three teams. One team was helping to build supports for the eventual walls and corners of the houses. Another team mixed cement and laid it down in holes dug for the base of walls. My team was digging dirt up and moving it into a corner to level out into the floor of a house. Even though some of us were savagely bitten by nats, we all felt very happy that we were able to make so much progress on a house that the family could not have done without us. Filled with the delicious lunch they served us, we were able to look out at the work we did and see a physical change we had made to help someone. This was a very rewarding experience.

Overall, the trip was very successful and I am glad I chose it as my Capstone. Just as Padre Juan said, we walked away with an experience of all of Quito. We saw the malls of the wealthy, schools of the children, and houses of the poor. We were able to lend a hand to those in need and able to play with the kids. I would definitely recommend it to a Junior for their capstone and hope to do something similar in the future.

Levi Bowen

Student Reflections...

Over the next several days, the members of the Somos Amigos Service Trip will share their own experiences of the trip.

Wednesday

It is hard to believe that our time at the Working Boys' Center and in Quito is drawing to a close. Today we are traveling to what is arguably Ecuador's biggest tourist attraction (after the Galapagos Islands) - La Mitad del Mundo - the Equator. Located about 15 miles north of the city, there are actually two markers for the equator. The first and the official government museum, marks the location from the 18th century. The monument is surrounded by shops and restaurants. Being a Wednesday, there were very few tourists around, but there were quite a few school groups. It seems to be the Ecuadorian version of visiting the Liberty Bell. After a quick lunch, we walked a few hundred yards to a new "museum" which marks the actual site of the Equator, as determined by GPS satellites. Here a few members of our group were able to balance an egg on a nail, we witness the ways water drains in different hemispheres and learned a little bit more about the importance and significance of the equator.

Returning to CMT, the guys packed up their bags and cleaned out their rooms. The Center is a busy place and our rooms will be used by a group from Fairfield University that arrives on Thursday. Already, a group from St. Peter's College in NJ arrived today.

We have one last act of service today as we will cover the adult English classes at the Center. The volunteers who usually teach these classes have a meeting and asked us to help them out. While the Center was founded to assist the working children of Ecuador, it was quickly realized that you had to help out their entire families. So each evening, after work, parents come to take classes in English, reading, math and other areas, to improve their own lives and those of their families. It was a great way to end our time in Quito.

Dinner was moved to 8 pm tonight (from the usual 8:40 pm) because of our departure (and that of Avila University's group). It was one last time to socialize together, to enjoy the hospitality of the center - and to buy last minute souvenirs (crafts made by the Girls' program). Then, it was off to the airport for an 11:30 pm departure to begin our trip home to Rochester.

It has been a phenomenal ten days, a chance to be of service, but more importantly to experience and learn about the people, the culture and the history of Ecuador. It has been a life changing experience for all of us.

Tuesday

Today is a free day, an opportunity for us to explore the city and country that has been our home for the last week. Our student leaders decided on a trip to the rain forest town of Mindo, about two hours northwest of Quito.

After an early morning departure and a bus ride through the mountains, we arrived in Mindo. A short taxi ride brought us to Mindo Ropes and Canopy. The group spent the morning zip-lining through the beauty of the Ecuadorian rainforest. We then headed to the Mindo Gardens restaurant, where after a short wait for our food, we enjoyed a delicious lunch.

Returning back to Quito by bus, the group was very aware that our time in Ecuador was quickly coming to an end. After a short rest, we headed downtown to a neighborhood known as Mariscal for a dinner at Quito's most famous pizza restaurant for some good food and bonding in preparation for out last day in Ecuador.

On our way to Mindo in the country to zipline and raft. Students are in charge of this trip!

Monday

Today is a national holiday in Ecuador, so there are no classes at the Center. Instead, there is fiesta or celebration put on by the community leaders at CMT. It was a chance for the guys to catch up on some sleep (9 am!) and to spend a more relaxing day - our last with the families at the Center. Basketball, volleyball, soccer, tops and bingo were the main activities of the day. Prior to lunch the gringos overcame the Ecuadorans in a surprising 9 - 8 victory. The McQ guys (with a few additions) had been up 9 - 5, but a very long second half allowed the locals to catch up.

Tonight, Madre Miguel is showing a slide show to all the groups in the house about the early days of the Center. We have to figure out how we will spend Tuesday, our free day in the city or local area. We are saving our visit to the equator until Wednesday morning, our last day in Ecuador.

Sunday

Minga! Today was our day to work side by side with the people in a group self help project known locally as a Minga. In order to get out to the country side, the young men were awoken at 6:00 am - needless to say, they were so happy to get up that early. Luck for us, rather than public bus, Vincente, one of the bus drivers at the Center joined us. We first made a stop downtown to pick up some folks from La Marin before heading out to Tacumba.

Each of the families involved in the center msust participate in mingas, somewhat like Habitat for Humanity. Today, we were out working to finish the foundation of a new home being built with a family. The McQ guys worked hard, moving rocks, mixing and pouring cement, making the steel framework that serves as posts in the wall, and leveling the ground. The additional help was much appreciated by the family even though the guys were not as used to the hard work as the Ecuadors; the women in the family certainly worked as hard as our guys. The family celebrated the work we did with a local custom - a SMALL glass of local beer, mixed with cola. They also provided a delicious lunch for us before we headed back to the Center. When we left after lunch, the family prepared to spend several more hours on the project - since this is their day off and the only chance they have to spend time on this project.

We headed back to the center, somewhat sunburned and with "picas" or insect bites on arms and legs. Upon returning to the center, it was showers and naps as everyone was wiped out from the work. There is no dinner at the Center on Sundays, so we took the short walk down to the Centro Commercial, basically an American mall in the midst of our neighborhood. The guys chowed down on McDonalds and KFC, a little taste of home.

Saturday

Today, the two groups (Avila and McQ) are heading out to the town of Otavala, which is known as the market town of Ecuador. It is about 2 - 3 hours away with rest stops.

First, we drove north of Otavala to San Antonio de Ibarra. This small town is well known for its wood-working. A short stop here allowed the guys to wander around the main plaza and see the local handiwork. One of Ecuador´s famous artists, Louis Potosi, has his gallery and shop on the main plaza.

Then we travelled back to Otavalla to wander around Poncho Plaza, the main square which was full with venders, overflowing into the sides streets. This town and the local indigenous tribe are especially known for their weavings. Blankets, scarves, bags and much more are for sale and haggling over price is expected. There was a noticeable number of other "gringos" shopping in the town, as this is a must for those visiting the country. For those who only get a t-shirt from Ecuador as a souvenir, lo siento.

Friday

Today was our "shadow day" spent in the two centers with the year-long volunteers. Half of the group rose early to catch a 7 am bus downtown. They spent the morning working in the classes at Gota de Leche. They then headed over to La Marin for lunch, recess and to join with the kids in the "girls program". This meant an hour of English classes and then off to crafts. Today the girls were once again making crafts such as jewelry and picture frames to sell in the center. In the kitchen, they made cheese empenadas, which once again were bought up quickly by the hungry American high school students. After a long day of work, the group returned back to CMT 2 via the metro bus.

The other half of the group was able to sleep in a little later, but their day was similar. The morning was spent helping out in classes and playing with the kids. Since it was Friday, mass was held here today, followed by lunch. Several of the guys in this group got to serve as volunteers for the girls who are learning to be stylists, so there were some manicures and shaves given to los gringos.

This evening, we were joined by students and chaperones from Avila University in Kansas City. They arrived the day after us but have been participating in an intensive immersion course in the countryside. The dining room is pretty full but many of the year long volunteers are headed out as this is a three day weekend.

The guys have spent their evenings playing dominoes, cards and trivila pursuit. Everyone has remeained healthy to date and we are looking forward to a shopping day tomorrow.

Thursday

The planes certainly did not wake up the guys today and it a little more difficult to get them out of bed. This morning, we had a tour of central Quito, but first we went to a third part of the Center called Gota de Leche (or drop of milk). This center is where mothers can bring their infant children for medical exams and to obtain milk. It is also where the basic classes for Center 1 are held, so we had the chance to visit several classes.

After our short visit, we headed to the basilica which is an amazing church. The most amazing part was that we were able to climb up into the towers (not all of us were enthralled with the height). Let´s just say it was not an experience that could be repeated in the United States. The photos will tell the story when we return to the U.S. as no words can really do it justice!

From the basilica, we walked through the historic center of Quito, considered one of the best examples of colonial architecture remaining in Latin America. We visited the Jesuit´s church downtown. The walls and ceiling are covered with gold leaf (120 pounds worth). Unfortuately, we could not take pictures inside the church. The attic is where Padre John founded the Working Boys Center in 1964. After the tour, we then walked to Center 1 where we had lunch and then began our work for the day. Several of the guys "volunteered" to continue painting in the bathroom, while the rest spent the afternoon shadowing the volunteers im their classes. This afternoon, the boys were out in the streets working, whether shining shoes or selling their wares. It was the girl´s turn to make crafts such as cord bracelets and rosaries, sewing, crocheting, picture frames and cookies (we seemingly bought almost of the cookies which brought many smiles to the faces of the girls). The guys also tried their hands at making the rope bracelets, some with more success than others. The girls, for their own safety, are not permitted to go into the streets to sell their crafts, so they count on the volunteers, workers at the Center and visitors such as us to buys from them. The money they make goes into the accounts that each of the families keeps at the Center.

Everything at the Center is free for the 2000 families who participate in its programs - and the whole family must be involved. It costs $2.50 (yes that´s two dollars and fifty cents) per person for three meals, classes, medical services, etc... that is provided for them. We have quickly learned that the Center is not about charity - it is about economic and educational development for these families to help them help themselves out of poverty.

Wednesday

Today was our first experience of public transportation in Quito (so far we have used the Center´s bus). Two bus rides taking almost three and one half hours brought us to the southern section of the city. There we visited the casas of several of the Center´s families. This is where the extreme poverty of Quito is found and it is home to many of the children and families of Center 1. This area is filled with a lot of single mothers who have been abandoned by the fathers of their children. While not as extreme as some of the poverty we witnessed in the Dominican Republic, it was a reality check for our guys. The families in this area of the city will walk and take the bus to get to "El Centro", leaving around 4:30 - 5:00 am in the morning; many will not return until 10:00 pm in the dark. Limited electricity and lights and the running water that does exist is not drinkable. It is an existence on the edge for many and the primary reason that the Working Boys´Center was founded.

After a return bus trip to the Center and lunch, we began some work at Center 1 - painting the stairwells and the ceiling ironwork in the boys´ bathroom. Our guys should be glad that they are heading off to college as seemingly more paint wound up on the floor and on their clothes than on the walls and ceiling.

Returning to the Center after a long day, several of us walked about a mile to the American style mall. The guys did work up an appetite and were hungry for some American food. Half went to KFC and half to McDonalds. The mall was a little overwhelming and quite a contrast from what we saw in the morning. It exemplifies the great economic divide to be found in countries in Latin America. Of course, the guys were still hungry enough to eat another dinner at the Center!

Once again, we spent the remainder of the evening together enjoying each other´s company with a little friendly competition built in.

Tuesday

We have our own built in alarm clock at the Center, as we are directly in the flight path of the planes leaving the airport (about ten minutes from the Center). The first planes depart at 6 am. So far, it doesn´t seem to be effecting the sleep of our guys.

In the morning, some of us head to the panderia next door, which is run by graduates of the Center. It is an opportunity to get some fresh pan dulce or donuts along with a cafe con leche - at prices much cheaper than Starbucks.

Today, we will spend our time in the talleres, or workshops, where the students learn vocational skills such as baking, auto repair, carpentry, hairdressing and sewing. We are primarily divided up between carpentry and baking. The baking crew learned how to make empenadas in the morning, which were sold in the center. The carpentry guys spent the morning building their muscles by sanding wood.

After mass and lunch at the center (they feed about 1500 children and adults daily between the two centers), it was back to work. The bakers produced galletos (cookies) to be sold in the panderia, while the carpenters made small benches; hopefully we can bring them back with us.

The evening soccer game was cut short by a tremendous downpour that included lighting and hail. We did make it to help with English class again. Despite the downpour the weather has been great and it was sunny through much of the first two days.

After dinner, guys are hanging out in the family room, playing cards, dominoes or trivial pursuit. Everyone seems to be acclimating well so far and enjoying the experience.

Monday

Our first day was primarly an orientation to the work of the Center. In the morning, we travelled to Center 1 which is located downtown in a neighborhood named La Marin. After a tour of the center, we stayed for mass and then headed back to Center 2, which is where we are staying.

After lunch and a brief rest, we had a tour of this center as well. It is incredible the work that is done here. A day care center for infants, an elementary school up to grade five, vocational training for those in grades six through nine, with regular classes as well. In the evening, there are additional classes for parents and secondary students. It is a beehive of activity from early morning until late at night. After our tour, the guys joined in a game of soccer on la cancha and then went to help out with an English conversation class.

Dinner is at 8:40 pm, because of how late the volunteers and workers finish. Our accommodations are very nice, the rooms are like those in a dormitory with three or four beds in each room. Each room has its own bathroom, including a shower with hot water!

Everyone seems to be doing well right now and we are looking forward to our second day.

Arrived safe and sound at the Center. Everyone settled in for a good night's sleep. Orientation tomorrow.

First hurdle down. We made it through security.

Rochester's Fox News had a story on our impending trip. Check it out at:

http://rochesterhomepage.net/fulltext/?nxd_id=178035

Our brother school, St. Peter's Prep in Jersey City, went to the Working Boys' Center in June.  You can read about their experience at http://prepcampusministry.blogspot.com/

The weather for us in Ecuador will be similar to that off Rochester at this time of year - lows around 50 at night and into the upper 60's or low 70's during the day.  The end of May/beginning of June marks the end of the rainy season, so we will still have some rain showers most days during our ten day sojourn.

One difference for our group will be the altitude.  At 9,000 feet, Quito is the second highest capital city in the world.

This time next week, our group of twelve will be on our way to Ecuador. On Sunday, May 16th, we begin at 9 am with a Missioning Mass for family and friends in McQuaid Jesuit's student chapel. After a light breakfast of donuts and juice, it's off to the airport. We are traveling by Delta Airlines, connecting through Atlanta. Arrival time in Quito is around 10:30 pm - it will be a long day!

To find out more about the Working Boys' Center, follow the links:

This is a story that appeared in the Jesuit magazine, Company, in 2006: http://www.companymagazine.org/v241/families.pdf

This is the website for the Center:

http://www.workingboyscenter.org/

This is the Center's Facebook page:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=7924732898&ref=ts