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!

"Do something that scares you" by Valerie Preston

Go to a place where you can’t speak the language. Try food you have never seen before. Live in conditions completely foreign to you. Try to catch a cab in the city. Sound thrilling? What if it’s accompanied with: Go love children who have never had a family. Buy merchandise that has been handmade by the person selling it to you. Swim in waters you never dreamed of touching. Visit lifestyles you thought were extinct. Experience culture. Love more. Serve more. Smile. Cry. Make memories. Return changed.

That, my friend, is an experience found in volunteering abroad with OSSO.

People say they want to change the world. At times, I feel like I am one of them. I know it’s a hefty goal and changing the world may be unrealistic. However, with a passionate heart, you can change one life at a time. Just don’t be surprised if one of those changed lives ends up being your own.

I chose to volunteer with OSSO in Quito, Ecuador back in the summer of 2010. I had a desire to go out and make a difference somewhere. The idea of traveling to a completely foreign country with a group of girls I had never met, (plus having it be my first time to ever fly), definitely made me nervous. But the idea of trying something new and serving children in orphanages overpowered any fear I had. I just had to sign up and do it!

Entering Ecuador was quite thrilling. As soon as we landed and loaded the car, I realized we were not in Idaho anymore. Cars were flying by at record speed! I was happy to arrive at our destination in one piece. I knew what lay ahead would be hard work but I knew we would find joy in it as well.

The first day we entered the orphanage will forever be a memory engrained in my heart and mind. As soon as we walked into the door, I looked down and there were little tiny bodies with big brown eyes and arms stretched out walking towards us for hugs. It was as if they were welcoming us home. If they were able to run, I knew they would. At that moment I could feel the children taking my heart. So soon? I had no idea who they were, how they behaved, how the nuns would like me, how in the world I was going to help in taking care of the needs of so many children. But I knew that these little niños knew how to love and if anything, they would take me by the hand and simply show me the way. They knew what they needed, love; and they knew how to speak that language to us.

The rest of my time in Ecuador flew by all too quickly. Before I knew it, I was leaving the beautiful Ecuadorian country behind, with the beautiful people who resided in it. I was leaving a piece of my heart that I knew I would never get back, to the children.

 But I returned with something more. I returned with the memories of brightly colored homes packed onto the hillside, of kind brown eyes on every street corner, memories of bargain shopping for beautiful handcrafted items. I returned with a greater appreciation for what I have, that which is material and that which is obtained through building relationships with those I love. I returned with a greater capacity to love. I returned with friendships. I returned with a strengthened heart, a more willing spirit, and the will power to go out and serve.  

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"Take my hand, take my whole life too For I can't help falling in love with you." -Elvis Presley

A recent orphanage volunteer in Cuenca shared some her thoughts at the end of her service. Read one for her advice to others wanting to be an orphanage volunteer. 

“So, you want to go to Ecuador, do you? Well, let me just tell you right now that this whole falling in love with orphans thing is not for the faint of heart. Yes, it’s all it’s cracked up to be, but it’s anything but easy. There will be days where you’ll feel like God has given you a glimpse of heaven and then there will be other days where you’ll find a kid feasting on the brittle remains of a beetle he found in the corner.

And that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Most days you’ll come home garnished with so many varieties of snot that you’ll feel like you have more in common with a petri dish than you do with your former self. Almost every day there will be screaming, crying, blatant disobedience, splattered soup, and violent bowel explosions that will always, always strike without warming.

And, just as surely as the sun will rise, there will be diapers. Many, many diapers. But all of this is not what I’m trying to tell you. What I’m trying to tell you is that when all of this comes (and come it will) there is one very important thing you must remember: This is the stuff love is made of.

Reading that may come as a shock to those of you who believe in a love made from roses, chocolates, and diamond rings, but just trust me when I say that the path to love is paved with diapers. It may sound strange, but what I mean is that although it may be hard to believe in the beginning, through every bit of drudgery you’re going to be falling in love.

Then one day, somewhere between playing wheelchair soccer at the park and kids draping themselves all over you like ornaments on a Christmas tree, you’re going to melt. Maybe it’ll happen when they slip their hand into yours or laugh at your joke for the first time. Or maybe in the middle of a sloppy hug or after a sticky kiss that warms you clear to your bones.

And once your heart melts, you’re really sunk. You’ll start seeing the kids in the faces of people on the street. You’ll tell your family about them. You’ll dream about them. No matter what you’ll do or where you’ll go, they’ll be there. They’ll be woven into every conversation and written across every memory you’ll make in this beautiful country, and all of it will make you love them even more.

Gradually you’ll find yourself spending extra time with them beyond your shift, watching soccer games or getting cozy for a movie night. And if the movie is about orphans, don’t be surprised if it hits you in the feels like a freight train. (There are a lot of movies about orphans—Aladdin, Annie, Harry Potter, Nacho Libre, Meet the Robinsons, Despicable Me—so prepare yourself.) You’ll start saving squiggly drawings and speaking in silly voices and saying the same Spanish commands over and over and over again. You’ll feel yourself going through withdrawals if you go 24 hours without tickling someone, and the first time someone calls you “mommy” your heart will be so full that it will take every fiber of your self-composure not to sink to the floor and cry louder than they do.

If you’re lucky, you’ll watch some of them get adopted, and then realize you’re a terrible person because you have mixed feelings about it. If only you could have more time with them, you’ll wish. But more time with them will never be enough. Once you’ve had time with them, you’ll never stop wishing for more of it. It’s not a fair fight. No matter how much you give these kids, they’ll always give you more. And as if that wasn’t enough, eventually you’ll come to the point where you’ll look into their eyes and what you see will show you that even though most of them can’t even hold their own toothbrush, it’s actually them who have been helping you all along.

This whole falling in love with orphans thing is one of the best things that will ever happen to you. It’s exhausting, wonderful, and it’s going to break your heart. I guarantee it. But do you know what? I’ve learned it’s not so bad to be broken. All of the best hearts are.

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Lessons learned from a child

While serving in the orphanages, it amazed me that those who lacked so much, seemed to give the most freely.

I think of visiting the Special Needs home for orphans in Quito. Pedro was severely mentally handicap and Juan was physically disabled.  I remember watching Pedro bend down to Juan’s wheelchair to help him put on his socks. And in return, Juan would speak for Pedro when he needed something. They both lacked so much, yet they used the abilities they did have to take care of each other.

I think of a birthday party for a 4 year old little girl. She opened the bag, and saw a big bag of taffy inside. She instantly exclaimed, “Now I can share with all of my friends!”. She was 1 of 80 children at the orphanage, and rarely if ever got something of her very own. However; her first response was to share what she was given.

I think of a Special Needs teen in a wheelchair. He paints ceramics as a form of physical therapy. He takes pride in his work and sells them. He often saves up so he can buy a new soccer jersey. But one day the orphanage budget was tight, and another boy needed to go to the doctor. I will never forget his selflessness when he agreed to pay for the Doctor appointment for his friend.

I think of a little boy who was adopted years ago. In his Christmas letter to Santa he asked, “Please bless people out on the street and orphanage. Because I was one of them and I wanted a family as bad as they do right now.”

As adults, we often become more prideful or even down-right greedy when we receive more than someone else. But with children; it often has the opposite effect causing them to reach out in generous compassion.

It’s not just the children in the orphanages who have touched me by their compassionate examples. I met one little girl who collected donations for the orphanage, rather than ask for Birthday presents at her party. My nieces planned and prepared a lemonade stand and gave me a zip-loc baggie with $21.04 labeled, “for the orphans”. Another little girl donated a jar of money. Her kind mother explained she collected money for the orphans in celebration of her “gotcha day” when she was adopted.

I often tell myself excuses, “I don’t have enough to give.” But children have taught me there are no excuses. Everyone has something to give. 

*Names of children have been changed to protect privacy.*

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The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves! - Helen Keller

Ecuador was a life changing experience for me I will forever be grateful for!  I learned to understand this quote while living in Ecuador! That “The unselfish effort to bring cheer to others will be the beginning of a happier life for ourselves!” - Helen Keller   I became friends with the Nun who I served with daily in the Quito, Ecuador Orphanage.! I loved to play basketball with her, race her up a hill, laugh etc.But things were not always that good with her. The first few weeks of living in Ecuador and serving with her were really hard plus it didn’t help I didn’t know Spanish. :) 

 It was so easy to become negative about her and wonder why I was even there serving when I didn’t feel appreciated by her. One day as I was frustrated and complaining about it to my director rather than him having a pitty party with me about it he taught me the greatest lesson he could teach me! He told me to “kill her with kindness”. That was a big turning point for me! I made it a goal to everyday kill her with kindness and to make her laugh! Often making her laugh meant me making a fool of myself like getting stuck in a kids toy (on accident) etc. but it made her laugh so it was worth it! Things became so much better with her from then on. Sure there were days that were still hard with her but I came to love this lady!!  Rather than trying to change Sor Laura, I changed the way I saw her and how I interacted with her.And by doing so I also felt happier!   

Everyone of us in life has had or either will have someone who we have struggled/struggle with. A friend, parent, spouse, family etc. can be hard to be around and we often think if only that person was this way or that way etc. things would be so much better . 

I want to challenge you to kill that person with kindness! Make them laugh everytime you’re around them! Bring cheer to them and I know it will be a beginning of a happier life for yourself and the person!

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They call me Mommy

If “home is where the heart is”, Ecuador became my second home nearly 7 years ago. I planned a 3 month trip when I was 20, and naively thought I was going to change the world. I had no idea what was in store for me. I had no idea I would fill my passport with stamps to Ecuador. I had no idea the life that would change the most was my own.

Fast forward a few years, and I found myself visiting an orphanage in Ecuador. We were outside on a sunny afternoon playing in the yard with the children. By this time, I had lived a couple of years in Ecuador doing volunteer work in orphanages. I had become accustomed to the nature of orphanages, and most things didn’t surprise me. However, that afternoon I’ll never forget. A little boy was asked to pray, and I listened to his genuine plea, “God, give us a mamá and papá” then 35 children chimed in unison “amen”.

As humans we long to belong, and the essence of belonging is felt in family. Each child at the orphanage is uniquely different, just like siblings in a family. However, something I repeatedly saw in common was their innate desire for a mother.

From the seemingly menial moments to the unforgettable joyous occasions, I will forever be grateful to the children who trustingly let me into their life. Some audibly called me “mommy” and others simply gave me the blessing to fill that role in one small way or another.

I think of the 2 ½ year old toddler in the nursery, who was the first child to call me and many volunteers “mommy”. 

I think of attending a meeting with my group of volunteers and a diaper company. The diaper company had agreed to give free diapers to the orphanage, in exchange to research the quality of diapers. They opened the meeting, “You are the parents of the children in the orphanage. Tell us your input how to improve the diapers.”

I think of my overwhelming inadequacy as I was assigned to care for an orphan at the children’s hospital in Quito. The nurse announced for all mothers to bring their babies to the other room to be weighed. I remember standing in line with all the other mothers as I held him in my arms.

I remember leaving the casa at the orphanage after a particularly draining afternoon. I had spent the afternoon with a little boy throwing tantrums and trying to explain “we don’t hit our friends”. Emotionally exhausted, I opened the door to leave as I heard, “Espera mami! Un beso?” “Wait Mommy! A kiss?” as he ran to the door and planted a kiss on my cheek.

I think of sneaking into an ICU room in the hospital. I remember the nurse immediately telling me visitors were prohibited, and only family could enter the room. I still remember the look of apologetic humiliation from the nurse when I replied, “This little girl has no family. I work for her orphanage.” She kindly gave me a few minutes alone with her.

I think of attending the school play for 3 of the children at the orphanage, and hearing them announce “Will all mothers please come behind the curtains to help their children prepare?” I remember crying during that rendition of ‘Beauty and the Beast’. My heart couldn’t have been prouder that night.

I think of handing a baby girl to the nurse and watching her scream and reach for me as the operation doors slowly closed. I remember lying in the hospital bed with her, because she wanted no one else.

I think of staying up late Christmas Eve with other volunteers to make sure the stockings were filled by Papa Noel. Although simple, the children were greeted with a bit of magic Christmas morning.

I’ve now returned to the United States and began to work for the same organization in their U.S. office. My days are now filled with office details, rather than beautiful children. One day I went to the pharmacy to pick up a prescription for a few children at the orphanage. The situation had already been explained to the pharmacist, so I was legally covered. However there were only 2 options to choose from when I was asked to check a box:

                I am the patient receiving the prescription

                I am the parent of the patient.

 As I checked the box, I had the familiar feeling “I would be honored to be called their mother”.

My experiences are not my own. I couldn’t have these experiences without the loving trust of each precious child who let me into their life. I’m not the first to have these experiences; a decade of volunteers paved the way before me. And I pray for a century of future volunteers to choose this experience. I won’t promise it’s easy, but I can promise whether symbolically or audibly they will call you mommy.

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