“Experience of a lifetime” in Ecuador

Rachel and Matt met Patrick at the Otavalo market during a fine excursion with other United Planet volunteers in July.

Rachel and Matt, both experienced travelers at the age of 17, had the good fortune to overlap some weeks this summer while living and volunteering in Quito, Ecuador. They stayed with the same host family, and worked together in a center for street children.

The family included mom and dad, and three school-age sons; the house was a short walk to the project. Rachel and Matt would eat dinner with them most nights – “I love the soups,” says Rachel – and enjoy excursions on the weekend.

During weekdays, they spent 8am-12:30pm at the center; had a 2-hour break; and went to Spanish class in the afternoon. At the center, they helped with a variety of tasks – playing with the younger kids, helping older kids with schoolwork, conducting group games that involved sharing and discussion of values.  During the summer, the center hosts a camp that gives school-age kids a safe place.

Matt with one of the kids at the center, in a race with…

…Rachel, with one of the kids. The kids enjoyed playing no matter where or when…

The center provides a supportive environment for kids who need someplace to go; they provide meals, some housing, education about dangers on the street, tutoring, and more. Their families may be struggling with poverty, addictions, illness, homelessness.

Rachel notes, “I completely love all the boys and girls. Little kids love to be held, and it’s so fun to pick them up and play with them.”

“The best part is when we do the school stuff, and they respond. It’s so great that we can help with that,” says Matt. The worst part? “The language barrier.”

Rachel agrees. “It’s really hard when we don’t understand what’s happening, especially when the kids are arguing about something, and we can’t help them resolve it.”

Both Rachel and Matt knew some Spanish before they arrived, and were taking classes at a local Spanish school.

During the summer, the center operates a camp for school-age kids who need a place to go.

“It’s been amazing,” says Rachel. “It was a truly life-changing experience. I will never forget the incredible children who are open and loving to a stranger. I will never forget how smart they are and how creative. Esteban, Alex, and everyone else will for always and ever have a place in my heart.”

Matt says, “Quito forced me to step out of my comfort zone and try new things on a daily basis. Whether it was adapting to the schedule at the center or zip-lining over the rain-forest, I was compelled to live outside of my normal world in the United States. The trip was an exhilarating experience of a lifetime that I would never trade for anything.”

Matt and the nice lady bargained for quite awhile over the colorful hammock. Everyone was happy in the end…