Transforming Lives on Giving Tuesday: Support OSSO's Mission to Empower Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Ecuador

As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving becomes more profound, and there's no better way to embrace it than by participating in Giving Tuesday! We hope you’ll join this worldwide movement to give to causes that you love.

When it comes to orphan care, one organization stands out above the rest - Orphanage Support Services Organization (but you can call us OSSO for short)! This Giving Tuesday, let's explore how OSSO is making a difference to children in Ecuador and why your support matters.

Since 1999, OSSO has been dedicated to providing love, care, and support to orphaned and at-risk children in Ecuador. We currently support 300+ children in eight different orphanages across Ecuador.

OSSO’s mission is to create a brighter future for these children by offering them a safe and nurturing environment. We provide holistic care for orphaned children by meeting both their physical and emotional needs.

Why Donations Matter:

OSSO relies heavily on donations in order to continue providing the children in our care with food, education, medical care, full-time caregivers, mental heath counseling, legal assistance, and more. Your orphanage donation will go directly towards providing these essential resources that enhance the children’s quality of life.

One of OSSO’s most important initiatives is Hogar de Angeles or “Home of the Angels” - an orphanage for 16 children and young adults with disabilities. Most of the residents are wheelchair users and nonverbal and rely completely on OSSO for their survival. Here, the residents receive the proper medical care they require that other orphanages could not provide them with. Hogar de Angeles is completely funded by OSSO and extremely expensive to run.

From providing physical therapy for a child with disabilities to paying for school uniforms and textbooks for another, every donation makes a difference in shaping a better future for these children.

Volunteer Abroad with OSSO:

One unique aspect of OSSO's approach is our volunteer abroad program. Although all of the orphanages we support in Ecuador have employed caregivers, there are a lot of children and typically not enough staff members to meet each child’s emotional needs.

This is where volunteers come in! When you volunteer abroad with OSSO, your role is to fill in that gap and help ensure that each child receives the individual love and support they need to truly thrive!

Volunteers play a crucial role in creating a positive, fun, and loving environment for the children - creating healthier and happier childhoods.

Why Should You Donate to OSSO this Giving Tuesday?

There are many incredible organizations and causes to choose from, but we hope you’ll consider giving to OSSO during Giving Tuesday this year! In case you’re still on the fence, here are a few more reasons why your dollar will have a direct impact when you give to OSSO:

1. Transparency and Accountability: Here at OSSO, we are committed to financial transparency in all of our operations, ensuring that your donations are used efficiently and effectively to directly benefit the children. We’ve recieved nonprofit transparency awards multiple years in a row - including this year - from both Candid and GreatNonprofits.

2. Holistic Approach: OSSO goes beyond basic orphan care, offering a holistic approach that meets both children’s physical needs (food, shelter, medical care, education) and their emotional needs (mental health counseling, legal assistance by social workers, volunteer support).

3. Ethical Orphanages and Children’s Homes: Since 1999, OSSO has thoughtfully and carefully screened each orphanage that we partner with to ensure that they are providing the children with the highest standard of care available. Many of the orphanages we currently support have been our partners for 24 years and we’ve built strong relationships with them. When you donate to OSSO this Giving Tuesday, you can trust that your donation will go towards trustworthy and reliable orphanages.

This Giving Tuesday, we hope you will consider making a difference in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children by supporting Orphanage Support Services Organization. Whether you choose to volunteer abroad or make a monetary gift, your involvement will help provide some of the world’s most vulnerable children with hope for a brighter future.

Join OSSO in spreading joy, hope, and love this holiday season. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.

A New Home in Ecuador

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to volunteer in an orphanage? Ashley, one of our most recent volunteers, tells about her experience volunteering with OSSO in Ecuador! Check out her story below.

Please note - children’s faces are not shown to protect their privacy according to Ecuadorian law.

“A little over a year ago I had seen a billboard in Rexburg, Idaho that said, ‘OSSO’. I had remembered hearing stories that my aunt told me about her experiences during her college years when she went down to Ecuador for a few months and helped children in orphanages. I never thought that it could be me doing those same things for children in a third-world country. 

During Christmas break I was determined to complete the application process for OSSO and had shared a quick video with friends about what I wanted to do in the spring. One of my roommates immediately texted me back and said, “Where do I sign up?” I was thrilled to hear that she wasn’t even questioning the idea of it and she was willing to go.  About two weeks after that text was sent, both my friend and I had sent in our applications and we were accepted!! It was easily the best decision I have ever made!

Arriving in Ecuador on April 26th was a lot to take in. My friend and I had been traveling for about 48 hours and were so exhausted when we arrived. During my first day on shift I remember very distinctly that the kids LOVED me. They didn’t know who I was, but they were glad I was there with them, experiencing what they do every single day. At first I was overwhelmed when 12 little kids came running and they all wanted to squeeze my leg, but then I was calm when I realized all they wanted was a new friend. The best decision I ever made was leaving my home and joining a new one here in Cuenca, Ecuador. 

I’m going to miss the gentle but joyful hugs from the kids, and the way they pronounce my name with their cute Ecuadorian accents. I’ll never forget the big brown eyes that stare up into mine as they ask for “twinkle twinkle” a million times each night. They have made my life so much better in every single way. Moments like these are some that I’ll remember forever.”

Thank you, Ashley, for your wonderful service and for sharing your story with us!

Are you ready to volunteer with us in Ecuador too? Apply now to become an OSSO volunteer!

Not Your Typical Volunteers

We are not your typical volunteers.  I am a parent of an adopted child from Quito. When we adopted our son in 2011 we briefly met these really nice young people who were there volunteering.  We ran into a few different volunteers while traveling around the area and everytime we did our son ran up and hugged them so tight.  I could tell that these young people were so very special to the children. From that time on I have wanted to be one of those volunteers and give back to other children what my son received ..... unconditional love and my time.  I later found out that these volunteers were from OSSO.  I have followed OSSO since.  In 2018 I decided it was time and my now 11 year old son wanted to come too. In October we traveled to Cuenca and spent two weeks there.  My son was asked many times why he wanted to go and he always replied "the food and to play with the children"!  And that is exactly what he did.  He became a big brother, little brother, friend and amigo to many of the wonderful kids that we got to spend time with. He was in awe as to how happy they all were.  As we traveled around to other orphanages he couldn't wait to meet up with the buddies he had made. They were excited to see us arrive and sad to see us leave.  He taught a few kids how to catch grasshoppers, build a racetrack, do handstands and make paper airplanes. The experience was very hard work at times but priceless to see my son give to these children exactly what they wanted and needed...and exactly what he received when he was a child of an orphanage.  I feel it gave my son a sense of who he is and what his life was like when he was a young child.  He saw the love that these kids and himself were surrounded by.

Mari and Danni Creque

7 Things You Should Know About Volunteering with OSSO

This blog is brought to you by alumni, Brooke Johnson

1. "You’ll never forget this experience. I’m going on 12 years since I volunteered in Ecuador and I STILL think of those kids, pray for them, relive my memories, and count the whole thing as a huge life-altering blessing." Although you may feel 'done' when you get home, we have many options for alumni to continue supporting the children that they love. You can become an orphan advocate, a sponsor, volunteer again at a discounted price or help us spread the word to family and friends. You can continue to help those orphans even years later!

2. "It’s hard work. But anything that is worth it, will be. To change a life (yours or the children’s) takes effort. But, to make a difference in this world pays off ten fold and is priceless to oneself."

3. "It’s a blast! The getaways are awesome. The country is BEAUTIFUL. The people are amazing and intriguing. And the food is delicious." We offer many different field trips and excursions for our volunteers in between shifts or on their days off.

4. "You will wonder how you can leave and really go back to “normal” life. It’s a trip."

5. "It’s worth every penny. And don’t be afraid to use the fundraiser ideas on the website." Our prices may seem high to some, but we are paying for your room and board, field trips, transportation, your OSSO sweatshirt and a donation that goes directly to the orphans. We have LOTS of ideas on fundraisers and those that choose to do them, are very successful!

6. "Your eyes will be widened and your heart is going to grow in ways you didn’t expect."

7. "Those very real kids need you."

Equestrian Therapy

Equestrian therapy is a form of therapy that makes use of horses to help promote emotional growth. [It] is particularly applied to patients with ADD, anxiety, autism, dementia, delay in mental development, down syndrome and other genetic syndromes, depression, trauma and brain injuries, behavior and abuse issues and other mental health issues.(source:https://www.equestriantherapy.com/equestrian-therapy/)

From our director "The children go each week.  It really was a miraculous blessing that it happened.  Keenan happened to be with some of our friends at the spa and while they were chatting with a man there, Keenan had mentioned the our OSSO children used to go to horse riding at the Calvary base down the street from OSSO.  The man actually owns and runs a horse training facility and said that a woman was running a hippotherapy section.  Long story short, she (Carol) invited us free of charge to ride every week and to pay for the transportation to get there and back from OSSO.  We now take all the casa children (those who aren't in school or are pulled out) and the OSSO children every Tuesday.  

Carol studies hippotherapy (or horse therapy) in University and even in Spain for a while.  She has 3 different groups come including a down syndrome group and an autistic group and many other individuals.  The children ride the horses in various different positions to increase movement, balance, relaxation among other things that you can look up online.  Interaction with horses has proven to be very emotionally stimulating as well.  Some of the positions include riding backwards, to each side, on their backs, on their stomachs and leading the horse by hand if the child walks.  While on the horse, those children that are able to, are sometimes asked to do a task like throwing a ball through a hoop.  These things help them balance and stimulate them.

We've seen children who normally never react to much of their surroundings just cry their eyes out on the horse.  Although it may seem disturbing to witness or hear, it's actually a great experience.  That child is able to react and express emotion and is stimulated by their environment.  You can watch some children get on the horse worried and tense at first and then just melt like butter by the end, at one with the horse.  Some of the children have grown accustomed to going each week and one now heads straight to the horse in the arena and climbs up the steps and swings his leg over the horse without even being prompted practically.

To insure the upmost safety for our children, we coach the volunteers a bit to be sure they feel comfortable with the task at hand.  OSSO volunteers know the children better when if comes to the individual children.  The Physical Therapist is the one that knows best though and she always accompanies us each week.  Some children can't open their legs so they can only sit in specific positions.  Some children don't hold themselves up on the horse well and our volunteers must help them which can be difficult.  There are volunteers from the schools that come to help while we're there and there are people from the horse facility that help us out as well."- Sasha

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The Importance of Male Volunteers

We have had multiple volunteers ask, "Do you accept male volunteers into your program?" The answer is YES! Although the majority of our volunteers are women, we DO accept men as volunteers and LOVE having them! Although women make great volunteers, we realize that the impact men have on children is a very different and special type that cannot be duplicated. We researched and found some outstanding facts about having a male presence in the orphanages.

"No matter how great a mother is, she cannot replace what a father provides to a child. Irrefutable research shows that mothers are typically nurturing, soft, gentle, comforting, protective and emotional. Fathers tend to encourage risk-taking and to be challenging, prodding, loud, playful and physical. Children need a balance of protection and reasonable risk-taking. If a positive male role model isn't around, there is a void in this child's life. Children without positive male role models are more likely to be involved in criminal activity, premarital sexual activity, do poorer in school and participate in unhealthy activities. (https://firstthings.org/importance-of-positive-male-role-models/)

Studies have shown that involvement of a father or a positive male role model has profound effects on children. Father-child interaction promotes a child’s physical well-being, perceptual ability and competency for relating with others. Furthermore, these children demonstrate greater ability to take initiative and evidence self-control. (https://firstthings.org/importance-of-positive-male-role-models/)

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Turi

Turi is an adorable daycare up in the mountains of Cuenca. The children who go to school here come from poor, hardworking families. The kids come here during the day to learn and play and occasionally spend time with our volunteers! None of the children at Turi are orphans or looking for a new home. You will usually go to Trini only once during your time at OSSO, but you may have a chance to go again the longer you stay! An average day at Turi might sound something like this.

"After about a 30 minute bus ride, part of it through some beautiful mountains, we arrived at this cute little preschool called Turi. We walked inside and immediately were ambushed by a ton of little kids! They grabbed our hands and took us back to their classrooms, all the while asking us questions in rapid fire Spanish. Once we got to their classrooms they begged us to open our activities bags, but after being shushed by their teacher, they calmed down and patiently wait for us, well as patiently as two and three year-olds can. Finally the teacher gave us permission to do our activities with the kids. We pulled out books, blocks, bubbles, coloring books, crafts, puzzles and so much more! The kids were so excited! Immediately I had several children in my lap, begging me to read them a story in my broken Spanish. They watched and listened intently as I struggled to get through the story. As soon as I was finished, another kid was pulling me over to help her with a puzzle. We played for a little while longer before it was time to clean up so the kids could have snack. While the kids ate their fruit, the teachers had us sing songs and do silly little dances for the kids. I think that we entertain the teachers more than the kids when we do this! After snack, we went outside and played on the playground. We took turns catching the kids as they went down the slide and pushing them on the swings. When we started blowing bubbles the kids went crazy! They were so excited! All too soon it was time to say goodbye. The kids didn't want us to go and they all ran and hugged us at the same time! It was so cute!”

Hogar Para Todos

HOGAR PARA TODOS (HPT)

Location: Neighboring city of Azogues

Hogar Para Todos “A Home for All” is the name of this orphanage but we call it HPT.  This orphanage is for children generally ages from infant to early teens.  This home was started by the sweetest women, Nancy.  She opened her own home up to a few children who needed one and her home grew and grew until it became this “home for all”.

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, Hogar Para Todos was so much fun! First, we tried to play outside with a big beach ball and the clothing wire as a net.  It started sprinkling so we figured that was a good time to go inside.  We all split up.  It was a little crazy because of how small the main room is and how many kids, but everyone was busy doing something.  Some volunteers brought Phase 10, Set and Uno cards.  The kids love playing cards.  Some of the old girls just wanted to paint nails.  I helped for a little while but the other volunteers can paint nails better than me so I went and started a craft that I brought.  Since it’s Halloween next week I brought things to make little spiders with foam, googly eyes and pipe cleaners.  Maybe I should have watched the hot glue gun because they used up like a million sticks of hot glue.  They loved it though.  Throughout the 2 hours, different kids kept coming up to make spiders and a lot of the kids started getting super creative and making their own little creatures and guys.  Even though my craft seemed a little too simple for the older kids, they seemed to still like it.  I think they just enjoy the entertainment and the company.  I’m so glad we get to come here and spend time with these kids.

Remar

REMAR

Location: Neighboring city of Azogues

Remar is an orphanage run by another nonprofit. There are various young adults that live there and work there taking care of the children.  They call them tias and tios (aunts & uncles). There are usually 20-40 children who live here. Remar’s other missions include providing drug and alcohol rehabilitation to poorer people in the area and providing a home for young single mothers.

All of the children have responsibilities and chores that they help out with to keep the house running smoothly. Every other Saturday morning we have the opportunity to visit these kids and sometimes we help them with chores, projects around the house or homework.

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, usually we play cards or make a craft with the little kids, but today they were finishing their Saturday chores.  We brought some donations including new dust pans and brooms to help out.  The place seems kind of dirty, but the kids seem content.  Just before we left, they started making crepes with jam.  The girls cooking and the tias there brought us each a crepe.  It was really sweet.  Next week, hopefully it’s not raining so we can go outside and play volleyball or frisbee or something in the yard.

Hogar Miguel Leon

HOGAR MIGUEL LEON (HML)

Location: Near the center of Cuenca

Hogar Miguel León (HML) is an orphanage run by Catholic nuns for about 30-50 girls (and many of their brothers too!). You have to remember that instead of a foster care system, when children are removed from their homes and families, they go into orphanages. Therefore, every child has a different story and most have difficult backgrounds. Many of the kids have the opportunity to visit parents, aunts and uncles or grandparents during holidays and vacation times.  Most volunteers find that HML is one of the most rewarding places to serve.  Luckily we get to come here twice a week during the evenings.  It’s near the center of Cuenca about 30 minutes from OSSO and as soon as you walk in the children gather around you and holler your name if they’ve met you before.

The orphanage itself includes various buildings including an orphanage for the children, a rest home for older individuals and an old hospital. The ages of the children range from four to eighteen years old. Most of them attend school; this includes Primaria (Kindergarten, Middle School, Junior High) or Colegio (High School).

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, HML never fails to improve my day. Those girls are so sweet and loving.  I think it may be my favorite place to go.  Today was a craft night.  One of the other volunteers was in charge of the activity.  I’m in charge of Thursday’s activity which are outdoor activities.  I’m thinking maybe musical chairs? Today instead of making a craft, we made chocolate banana smoothies.  We split into stations to do it.  The kids loved it! They soaked it up and they then ate it up. I’m going to miss these girls.  I wish we could somehow stay in touch or get a picture with them, but I don’t think that’s possible.  Can’t wait till Thursday to go to HML again!

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Los Pequenitos de OSSO

Please note: Los Pequeñitos de OSSO has since been renamed to Hogar de Ángeles.

LOS PEQUEÑITOS DE OSSO (CASAS MILAGROS & ALEGRIA)

Location: Home

Los Pequeñitos de OSSO which means OSSO’s Little Ones is the only orphanage actually owned by OSSO.  We call it OSSO for short. It’s currently the home of 21 children although some of the “children” range to 28 years old.  Because most of the residents here have severe disabilities, they live their entire lives here. This is the main site that we work at in Cuenca and we live here too!

There are currently 2 casas (houses) at OSSO: Casa Alegría (House of Joy) and Casa Milagros (House of Miracles).  Casa Milagros is downstairs and is a mix of older children with special needs and one younger child that goes to school each day.  Casa Alegria has younger children and some older children. Each casa has six bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen/dining area. Here at OSSO we have a large outdoor space to play soccer, go on walks around the orphanage and a balcony where the kids in Casa Alegría like to hang out.  We also have a room called Sala Girasol (The Sunflower Room) where we do activities when it’s raining, have movie nights and other activities.

Remember that almost every activity can be modified for wheelchair users.  Just being with them, singing to them, reading to them and hold their hand can make a difference.

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, This morning, I also helped do physical therapy with some of the kids.  I brought the binder down from the volunteer house and I worked with Little B on his sign language.  He’s doing really well.  It’s nice to spend one-on-one time with the kids doing therapies though.  We had some activity time so we painted trees with dot paints outside.  Lunch came faster than normal I feel like and we brought them back upstairs and feed them soup and juice.  After that we headed back up to the volunteer house and ate lunch. 

This afternoon, it was raining pretty hard, so we watched a movie. I know the boys have seen Thor a thousand times but they still love it and get so excited every time! Then we helped feed everyone dinner (some of the residents have severe disabilities and need our help spoon feeding them). Then it was already time for bed! Sometimes I can’t believe how fast the days go by, time really does fly when you’re having fun!

Tadeo Torres

TADEO TORRES (CASAS & CUNAS)

Location: OSSO's Neighbor

Tadeo Torres is a large orphanage administered by Catholic nuns. We call it Tadeo, Casas or Cunas. It is at OSSO’s orphanage and here that you will serve the most. This orphanage is split into two sections: Casas and Cunas. Casas (houses) is for children 2 to 8 years old. When they reach about 8 years old, they are moved to another orphanage. Cunas (cribs/nursery) is for children under about 2 1/2 years of age.  Tadeo Torres is the only orphanage in Cuenca for babies.

Cunas

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, I just had an amazing shift at Casas.  Those children have SO much energy.  I’m so glad that I know some Spanish but I wish I knew more though.  I love these kids.  They are so willing to love you and they love to play with anyone and everyone.  Today when I walked in, they all yelled my name.  It really made me realize how long I’ve been here and how much I’m going to miss them when I leave in a few weeks.  I wish I could just take every one of them home with me. 

I was assigned the activity for today so I brought popsicle sticks, hot glue guns, markers and lots of goodies like pompoms, googly eyes, feathers and tissue paper to decorate little funny characters and animals on the sticks.   I’m so glad that there are so many craft supplies here at OSSO to choose from. I always go to Pinterest to get fun craft ideas to do with the kids.

After the activity, we ate a snack and then went and watched a movie all together in the commons.  Around 5:30pm we headed to their little rooms to wash their hands before dinner. After dinner, we helped the kids get ready for bed, which is my favorite part of the day. The tias already set out their pajamas so I just tried to help them get ready and tucked them into bed.  They begged for a bedtime story.  Some of the other volunteers brought books to read to them but I just made up some story for them.  They listened so intently, and even though my Spanish isn’t they best, they begged for another one.  It was almost 6:30pm though so I had to go.  I hugged them and said a million goodnights and finally made it out the door.  We waved goodnight to the nun at the door and all walked back next door to OSSO. Shifts at Tadeo are always so satisfying at the end of the day.

Casas

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, these have to be the cutest children on the planet.  The Cunas babies are so precious.  The main play room has a bunch of toys.  I love the bouncy toys and balls. One of my favorite things is trying to get the kids to make animal sounds.  They also love to climb into your lap when you grab a book and read it to them.  A nun walked in today too and the babies totally perked up and were so excited to see her. It was so cute. 

We played for about three hours and then the tia came in and told us to walk them into the kitchen.  She had prepared dinner for them.  We grabbed a chair and sat in front of a baby and fed them a huge bowl of soup. After all the babies were fed we took them into their changing room.  The tia showed us where each baby’s pajamas were and then she left us to change the everyone’s diapers and clothes.  In Ecuador they dress the babies in many layers at night to keep them warm. It’s different than what we back at home but makes sense because the buildings don’t usually have heating and it can get cold at night. My favorite part of afternoon shifts at Cunas is probably putting them to bed like the Casa kids.  You put them in bed, sing them a little song and put these cute little mosquito nets that hang from the ceiling around their beds.  Afterwards we put the aprons that we have to put on in the beginning of shift away and put our shoes back on since we have to just be in socks all shift and then we headed back to OSSO.

What Are the Orphanages Really Like?

Personal Introduction from our Current Volunteer Director, Sasha

Before becoming the volunteer directors here in Cuenca, I had at least 100 questions for the past director.  We had no idea what to expect and I like to be prepared and know what I’m getting into.  We were new to OSSO.  We knew that our experiences teaching, working with special needs, our Spanish skills and our experiences working with youth would be helpful, but we really didn’t know what we were signing up for.  You may feel the same way.  I tried to soak up all the information I could.  I searched online for any information about orphanages in Cuenca and found nothing.  I poured through the Instagram, Blog, Facebook page and Pinterest pages of OSSO trying to figure out what to pack, what to wear and what to be prepared for.  The information seemed limited.

Now as director, I hear from volunteers things like: “I didn’t even know this was a orphanage for children with disabilities before I came” or “I wish I had known better what to expect”.

If you’re reading this blog post, then you’re already on the right path.  If you’ve done everything I listed above like looking through OSSO’s Instagram, Blog, Facebook and Pinterest, then I already know you’re going to be a successful and memorable volunteer.

You may never feel quite prepared or that you know exactly what you’re getting into, but you’re going to be more prepared than you think.  Don’t worry.  Who ever your directors will be, whether Keenan and I or others that come after us, they will help you feel comfortable, be safe and enjoy your time here.  All you really need is a couple sets of clothes and a willing heart and mind.

TOO MUCH ALL AT ONCE

aka what you’re going to be doing as a volunteer here…

Location: Ecuador

Los Pequeñitos de OSSO (home)

After arriving at OSSO, you get some time to rest from the trip, but as soon as you’re rested and oriented, you appear on the schedule that the Volunteer Directors make each week.  This schedule lets you know where you are assigned to each morning and afternoon shift.  There are five main orphanages we serve at here in Cuenca and one day care. Some of the orphanages we volunteer in every day while others we only visit on Saturday’s.

Confused and still have questions? Don’t worry! It’s going to all make sense and it’s going to be a blast. Read about each site that we work at and what a shift there may consist of in my next blog posts.

A Day in the Life Week 3

This week's blog is brought to you by past volunteer, Emma.

Week 3

Wow, I can’t believe the third week is over! The first two weeks, I felt like I had lived here at least 2 years. But now time is flying by! This week was such a blur, and I am sad it’s going by so quickly. I have to keep reminding myself that before I know it, I’ll be getting on a plane to go home. So, I am trying to enjoy every second I have here with these precious kids.                                                           

Monday

We had such a fun Olympics party with the OSSO kids to get ready for the winter Olympics! I spent Monday morning in OSSO making flags of all the different countries with C & M that we could hang up during our party. And wow, those boys are so much more particular than I thought! M told me I had to redo the Mexico flag because I didn’t cut it straight enough! (Hah!) The party was a success! It was so much fun helping the kids participate in the different “events” and seeing how happy they were! But I must say, the Tia’s definitely got more into it than anyone else.

Tuesday

Tuesday came around and we got to take the Casa kiddos to horse therapy! I DIED. Those kids are literally the cutest things in the entire world. I love every second I get to spend with them! They were jumping up and down, waiting for their turn to get on the horses. If those kids have taught me anything, it’s to enjoy the small things in life!

Wednesday

After Monday and Tuesday, everyone is excited for Wednesday because it’s FREE DAY! We went to the zoo this week and it was so cool! It literally just felt like a hike through the jungle. And yes, when I say hike I mean HIKE. Wear good shoes! It was so cool learning about and seeing so many different animals. We even got to see the foxes eat lunch (baby chicks) it was rather depressing. But they were really cute before that part.

Thursday

Thursday night at HML was so much fun! Those HML girls are so special and getting to be with them is a highlight of every week for sure. The amount of energy they have is INSANE! And they can show up all the volunteers at just about anything! Soccer, jump rope, UNO, puzzles, tag; they cannot be stopped! We are only there for less than an hour so we are running around nonstop! They are the sweetest most loveable girls.

Friday

Friday came so fast! We had our weekly Spanish class in the morning and I am trying SO HARD to learn as much as I can. I just want to be able to talk to all the kids! If I would have done one thing different before coming, it would have been to learn Spanish. It has been so fun learning a little bit but it’s a process. Our teacher is so helpful and I have learned a lot from her. I look forward to class every week. This week was exceptionally good because after class, we went to Chocolat and got the most AMAZING chocolate covered strawberries in the entire world. I can’t believe I ever thought Zupas had good chocolate strawberries. They are incredible here!

Saturday

By Saturday we are all dead tired but there is always work to be done. I spent the morning with my cute kids in Casas. We played and played and colored and played and it was so fun. There were other volunteers there who taught the kids how to break dance and it was honestly one of the most entertaining things I’ve watched! Those Casa kids are WAY too cute. I want to bring them all home with me! Saturday evening some of the volunteers and I went out to Fabiano’s for dinner and it’s the most fabulous Italian food ever. Highly recommend the pesto pasta. Or the BBQ chicken pizza. Or the garlic knots. Or the Pina colada juice. Or if you are feeling crazy (like I obviously was) GET ALL FOUR.

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This week has been hard, long, and tiring but so, so rewarding. I can’t even explain how amazing it is to be there. I thought I was coming to help these kids, but they are doing way more to help me. I have already learned so much from them. I LOVE CUENCA! I hope these next few weeks slow wayyyyy down.

A Day in the Life Part 2.

This blog is courtesy of Past volunteers, Betsy and Russell. They are serving in Cuenca, Ecuador and have documented their second week as volunteers. Enjoy!

Tuesday January 15th

Every Tuesday morning some of the children have the opportunity to go to “horse therapy”.  It is so hard to get these big kids in and out of the bus.The older kids are really heavy, dead weight. When we get to the facility again we have to lift them out of the bus.  But it is so worth it!  We lift them up onto the horses and then have to hold them on it as they go around the arena.  Each time they go around, workers change them to a new position which is very awkward.  But, to see the sheer joy on their faces as they ride the horses, is worth the hard work.  This is such a great activity for them to work on their muscle tone and balance.  Also it is a wonderful time for them to get out of the orphanage and do different kinds of things.

Wednesday January 16th

Wednesday was all of the volunteer’s day off.  Our directors took us into Cuenca for a tour.  We started at a museum, Museo Pumapungo, which was very interesting.  It had displays of an early group of people who were taken over by the Incas.  Then the Incas were taken over by the Spaniards.  This is why we see a lot of influence in architecture and culture from Spain.  The displays were very well done.  They had replicas of their dirt floor huts and actual weapons, clothes, pottery etc.  Out in the back of the museum was ruins of the Incas and the earlier people.  We got to pet llamas that were in the gardens, see lots of beautiful flowers and then there was a bird aviary.  Evidently Ecuador has the largest population of different kinds of birds. 

Thursday January 17th

We did tons of walking today.  We walked to the market place.  There are hundreds of booths full of different vegetables and fruit, grains, fresh meats.  We have been trying may different kinds of fruit at OSSO.  There are some pretty exotic kinds we have never heard of or see before. All the food was just piled up out in the open.  A lot of the booths were from the indigenous Ecuadorians.  They look so festive in their native clothes and hats. Unfortunately we can’t take pictures of them unless we are far away.

Friday January 18th

We walked to a flower booth and bought 3 bouquets.  Flowers are extremely cheap here.  You can get a dozen roses for $3.00.  We took the flowers into the cemetery which is nothing like our cemeteries.  There are three or four stories of vaults that are enclosed.  Everyone puts flowers or pictures or trinkets on a little shelf in front of the vault.  We went to 3 different vaults which were where three children from OSSO were placed.  They had all died within the past year and a half.  Sasha and Keenan shared with us each of their stories and it was very heart wrenching.  These precious children had suffered so much in their short lives. Sasha told us what they felt the “purpose” of these children’s hard lives were. Heavenly Father loves these children dearly and allows them to be here to teach us Christ like love and compassion.

Saturday January 19th

We went to lunch, pigged out (The food is GREAT!) and then caught a tour bus of the city.  We rode up on top of the bus and wound through the tiny streets in this amazing city.  It is so alive and so full of life and activity.  The bus took us to the highest point of the city where we had spectacular views of Cuenca.  The homes and buildings go on forever it seems.  They are all nestled in the hills and mountains and it is a sight so gorgeous!  Here we hiked up even higher and were able to test our adventurous spirits.  We got on a rickety old swing, assisted by a cute man who buckled us in.  He then pushed us out over a cliff with a drop of several hundred feet.  It was so exhilarating and it was so fun to hear the squeals of everyone of us who did it.

After the tour we went to a street market where they were selling Ecuadorian trinkets and souvenirs.  The girls all bought lots of cheap jewelry and were thrilled.  We also went to some artesan stores with nicer quality things. She took us to a store and the man who owned it took us upstairs into his storage room.  It was full of sweaters, scarves, blankets, table cloths and runners, backpacks.  He gave us fabulous deals, even cheaper than down in his store.  He even gave us all a head band free. 

It was starting to get dark but we all decided to stay longer and have dinner in town.  Again, a delicious meal at a very nice restaurant.  Rice and potatoes and meat are served at every meal. Not a time or place to be dieting fore sure!  After dinner, of course, we had to stop at the ice cream store, Tutto Freddo, for the most delicious ice cream ever!!! I am sure we will all go back there as often as possible!  We all plopped into bed, extremely exhausted after a fun day of discovery and adventure and learning to love this beautiful city, country and people!