A Day in the Life

This blog is courtesy of past volunteer, Aspen Peterson. She is serving in Cuenca, Ecuador and has documented her first week as a volunteer. Enjoy!

Day 1

January 11, 2018
After 24 hours of traveling, I finally made it to Ecuador. I experienced a little culture shock when I found out Ecuadorians don’t flush the TP (toilet paper)! Much different than I’m used to.
Keenan and Sasha took us on a tour of the orphanage today. Definitely not what I expected. I am a little overwhelmed at the extent of care these kids need, but am ready to help however I can.

DAY 2

January 12, 2018
Love is an interesting emotion. It seems to sneak up on you in the most unexpected times and ways.
Hours of playing with the kids and receiving no encouraging reaction had me a little down. So to get away for a bit, I did therapy with one of the kiddos from OSSO A. Physical therapy was first (had absolutely no clue what I was doing) and then developmental therapy. I sat him between my legs and helped him hold a tambourine as I sang “You are my Sunshine” to him. The sweet sound of a giggle filled the room and I watched his smile grow wider as I kept singing to him.
That was when it snuck up on me. Love. Now it seems like I can’t stop the love that’s growing for each of these kids. They’re stealing my heart. I’m coming to realize that that is the most important part of OSSO, loving the kids.
However, my Sunshine boy will always have a special place in my heart.

DAY 3

January 13, 2018
Oh, I wish I could speak Spanish.

DAY 4

January 14, 2018
My first morning at OSSO. To say I was confused and shocked and useless and overwhelmed might be a bit of an understatement. I walked away from the orphanage to get ready for church in a daze.
Little M helped me recover on our way to church. He loved it when I squeezed him tight in a big hug. He laughed (he snorts when he laughs and it is hilarious) and kept asking for more squeezes. The kids always seem to know exactly what you’re feeling and know just how to help.

DAY 5

January 15, 2018
Ate some street vendor chicken today. Or it could have been llama. Or dog. Who knows. They called it pollo though so I think I’m safe……

DAY 6

January 16, 2018
“There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.”
The kids proved this true with how big their smiles were as they did their horse therapy. It was like a wave of calm came over them as soon as they were lifted on the horse. I could relate to that calm. We all need a little horse therapy sometimes.
Emma and I went into the city for our shift off. Taxis are definitely nerve racking when you can’t communicate with the driver, but after today, I feel pretty confident in my abilities of giving them a piece of paper saying where I need to go. Communication problem solved.
I also felt confident that I dressed warm enough with a t-shirt and cardigan to go into town…until it dumped rain on us. Lesson learned. Always take a rain jacket. There’s a reason they call it the wet season.

DAY 7

January 17, 2018
Happy one week! And Happy City Tour Day!
Ecuadorians have a rich history and a beautiful country. I had my phone out taking pictures of everyone and everything half the day. Then I realized that while pictures are great to look back on and reminisce, I also needed to live in the moment. I put my camera away and started taking snapshots in my mind and let myself revel in the memories I was making with Keenan, Sasha and the other volunteers.
Those mental snapshots are what I’ll keep forever.

Thailand Tips and Tricks

* Our thailand program has since been closed*

Accepted to serve in Thailand this summer? Read our list of tips and tricks to help you survive your time there!

Thailand Tips and Tricks

So you’re heading to Thailand! It is often called the “land of smiles” because of the country’s friendly people. Nevertheless, there are a few things to remember while you are in Thailand that will help you assimilate into the Thai culture.

When greeting a Thai

❖    Greet people with the traditional “wai” (w-A-e). For a proper “wai” bring your open palms together at chest height, then bow slightly.→

❖     Don’t wai a child. You would only embarrass the person if you do. Simply nod and smile even if you feel snobby not returning the greeting.

❖    Feel free to be open; don’t perceive it as intrusive if a Thai asks you questions about your age, marital status or income.

❖    Don’t touch someone’s head, not even the cutest child’s. You may mean well and see it as a form of caressing, but the head is considered to be the most superior and sacred part of the human body to Thais. They believe that the soul resides in the head. Only family members or monks are allowed to touch anyone’s head.

❖    Smile! Smile as much as you can. A smiling face is a sign of respect toward surrounding people. It will get you what you want faster than any demonstration of anger.

❖    Dress modestly and keep your attire clean. It is considered a form of respect to society to wear a nice outfit.

When visiting a temple

❖    Don’t touch a Buddha image, climb on top of it or sit next to it, even for a picture. It’s very disrespectful.

❖    Cover your shoulders and knees. This applies to men and women.

❖    Remove your shoes and hat upon entering a temple.

❖    Do not take pictures when you enter the temple, even if there is no sign asking you not to.   

When in a restaurant

❖    Don’t call a waiter by waving your index finger.

❖    Don’t use your left hand, if your friends eat with their hands and you want to join in. It is considered an equivalent to toilet paper and thus dirty.

Other important things to remember

❖    Do not throw things before someone else, this is considered extremely rude.

❖    Thais find it hard to decline a request. For this reason Thais will “lie” if they don’t know an answer to a request.

i.e.If asked directions to a place and they do not know, they will give you false directions to avoid appearing ignorant.

Remember these cultural do’s and dont’s but watch to see what other natives do and how they act in these situations. They will be your greatest teachers.

PACKING LIST

→ You will need at least one set of clothing, including shoes, which you won’t mind getting dirty and/or wet.

→ You can use your suitcase to lock away valuables, if you feel this is necessary.

→ Bedding, a pillow and a bath towel are provided

→ Electricity—Thailand’s voltage is 220 volts compared to States with its 110 voltage. Please read the following article, http://www.220-electronics.com/blog/voltage-converters-for-thailand/

You will need to bring a converter, if traveling with a friend you can split this cost. Converters are hard to find in Chiang Mai and are expensive.

Don’t go out and purchase clothes specifically for this. You’ll want to be dressed comfortably when working in the orphanages.

Culturally Thai men and women are more conservative in their dress and refrain from wearing shorts or tank tops. Many Thai people are Buddhist and visit Buddhist temples on a regular basis and are more modest as they are in their places of worship.

As OSSO volunteers you will be asked to comply with the a same dress pattern.

Clothing (suggested list, more than adequate—you can get by on much less)

• 3-4 pairs of light weight pants or capris for women. You can also bring knee length skirts

• 3-4 pairs of Nylon slacks or Nylon- Convertible type hiking pants for men

• 8–10 short sleeve shirts/tops

• 1-2 pairs comfortable shoes (no tank tops)

• 2-3 Sunday outfits

• 1 pair comfortable dress shoes

• 1 pair of flip-flops/sandals

• light-weight jacket (waterproof and hooded works best)

• 10-15 day supply of underclothes and socks

• pajamas/lounge wear

• backpack/duffle bag for use on field trips and activities

• camera and applicable accessories (cables, high capacity memory cards/USB drives

•  sunglasses, baseball cap for the field trips

• To see a more detailed packing list, please see: Thailand complete packing list 

Toiletries

Due to the increased restrictions for checked luggage and carry-on restrictions of liquids, we highly recommend that you bring only travel-size toiletries to get you by for about a week, and then you can go to the supermarket there and buy the toiletries you’ll need during your time. Generally, if buying U.S. brands, the cost will be comparable to U.S. prices, but if you buy local brands, the price will generally be lower.

However, the costs of hair care products and makeup can be expensive. You may consider bringing your own of these items, but you can also find them in Thailand.

Things you should bring from home:

Makeup (you’ll likely use very little because it is so humid)

Hair accessories

Hand sanitizer (one regular size bottle and a small pocket-sized one),

Contact stuff (this is actually not very common there, so you should bring the amount you need)

Feminine products

Medicine

Suggestions: Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol/Advil, cold medicine, allergy medicine, medicine for motion sickness, anti-itching cream, Robitussin/Dayquil, etc.

Bring the needed amount of any prescription medicines you as well as any medicines you take on a regular basis.

Other

·         backpack/duffle bag for use on field trips and activities

·         Ziploc bags for travel as well as for storing things

·         camera and applicable accessories you may want to bring a waterproof disposable camera for some of the field trips

·         supplies for scrapbooking, art projects and preschool activities are constantly used and needed—colored paper, construction paper, folders with pockets, stickers, glitter, rewards/prizes/treats for the kids, markers, colored pencils, glue bottles, glue sticks, etc. are some suggestions

·         American candy—especially chocolate or other favorite food

Optional (completely up to you whether you want to bring any of this, just some things previous volunteers have liked having)

·         Sunglasses, baseball cap for the field trips

·         Pictures of your family, home, friends

·         Journal

·         A money pouch if you’d feel more comfortable using this to carry your money, ATM card and passport in while traveling

·         Thai reference material, e.g. Thai-English dictionary

·          “Favorite” foods

Eat, Drink, and be Merry

A common question that we get from volunteers is, 'What will I be eating while I'm in Ecuador?" We have delivered and put together a helpful list of common meals that you will be eating while in country!

1. Meat, rice, beans and vegetables

This will be a staple meal for lunch. There will be lots of food to choose from and a good variety if you're a picky eater!

2. Cuy

Cuy is an Ecuador delicacy and is served at many nicer restaurants. One cuy can be about $20! Don't be afraid, it tastes like chicken!

3. Chocolate bread and other pastries.

There are a couple of bakeries down the street from the volunteer home. Most breads are around a quarter and just heaven on earth. We recommend the chocolate bread!

4. FRUIT...lots of fruit!

There will always be a variety of fruit in the kitchen for the volunteers to eat. Several of the staples include bananas, star fruit, mangoes, melon, papaya and many others!

5. Fruit Juice

6. Chatos

I wish we could make you fully understand the magic that is chatos. Chatos is a local food stand in Cuenca that sells dessert kebabs. They pile on fruit, marshmallows, brownies and coat the whole thing in chocolates. Chatos is the #1 thing talked about by the volunteers. Don't hesitate, just buy 10 your first day.

7. Treats

There will be vendors all over the city and lucky for you, some of those include treats. If you are not wanting to brave the street food, you can shop at the local mall and get packaged treats (The really good chocolate is cheaper than Hershey Bars!)

8. Pizza! Yes, pizza!

Tutto Freddos is a volunteer favorite! Tutto Freddos is a very nice pizza restaurant in downtown Cuenca. We recommend getting Fiora Vanti (soda) to wash it down! 

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New Year, New You

If you are like me, now that we are a couple weeks into the new year, I image that a few of your New Year's resolutions have been forgotten or broken and you are left wishing that there was something you could do to still feel like a new you. Well look no further because I have just the thing!

Did you know that giving of your time and money can actually increase your happiness? I know, crazy! But a group called Social Capital Community Benchmark did a survey to demonstrate this. The results were, that in 2000, the people that donated money/time to charities were 43 percent more likely to click that they were "very happy" on the survey than those who didn't donate! Now I don't know about you but I want to be happy! So what can we do? Well the "new you" in this new year can donate your time and/or money to an incredible organization called Orphanage Support Services Organization or OSSO.

OSSO is a non-profit organization run out of Rexburg, Idaho that sends volunteers and monetary support to orphanages in Ecuador and Thailand. If you volunteer with them, you get to work hands on with incredible children that you will grow to love with all your heart. But that's not all! Not only do you get to watch your life be changed by these loving children, you also get to adventure! And by adventure I mean riding elephants and petting tigers ect. in Thailand! Or zip lining through the jungle and horseback riding through the Andes mountains ect. in Ecuador! I know what you're thinking, "Where do I sign up?" Well visit their website at www.orphanagesupport.org and apply today!

This is a new year and a new you. Do something worthwhile with it and volunteer with OSSO today! 

Giving Tree

The season of giving is upon us!

OSSO has continued their tradition of a Giving Tree for the holiday season! This is the second year that OSSO has had their virtual Giving Tree available online. If you are looking for a way to donate, it could not be more simple! Just choose an ornament!

Our Giving Tree is a fun way for those to see what their donation will bring to the orphans in Ecuador and Thailand. Wondering what your donation will cover?:

• $5- Fresh fruit for every child in an orphanage of 80 children for a day.
• $15- A field trip to the park with 15 children.
• $20- A custom brace for a handicapped child.
• $40- A Christmas feast for an orphanage of 25 children.
• $100- School fees for 5 children.

Consider joining us this holiday season by donating a few dollars to help children meet their basic needs.

From OSSO alumna, Katie Eberhard:

"I've been around OSSO a couple times around Christmas, and I was blessed to spend Christmas day there in 2015 as well. Christmas is naturally a special time of year, but being with those incredible kids made it even more beautiful. We spent weeks thinking about and gathering Christmas presents. Hours were spent wrapping gifts and stuffing stockings. The work was worth it; the planning the preparation, more than paid off. On Christmas Eve we went from casa to casa singing carols to the kids and to the workers. Several of the children joined us as we sang. With excited hearts and light in their eyes we sent them to bed. In the morning wonder of wonders, Santa had come in the night! We ate a delicious breakfast and crowded into Girasol. I don't know that I have ever seen such delight as I did on the faces around me. Gifts were opened amid wide smiles. Everyone was so grateful for their gifts, even though some of them may have seemed meager int he sight of others. I was humbled beyond measure. The rest of the day was spent in the normal routine and happy playing with the gifts  received."

Volunteer Directors Position

Information for Volunteer Director(s) Position

in Cuenca, Ecuador and Chiang Mai, Thailand

Volunteer Directors will be expected to arrive in Ecuador May of 2019.

Applicants must show a commitment to stay a minimum of 9 months. Individuals or couples will be selected for this position. Spanish and Thai is not required to apply but strong preference will be given to those who do speak it. Note, for the position in Ecuador, at least one of the two individuals must speak fluent Spanish. Thai is not required for Thailand.

If applying as an individual or as a couple, compensation will most likely be sufficient to cover costs pertaining to travel, room and board, and a small living stipend.

While there are no specific educational requirements, those with any of the following background(s) are encouraged to apply:

·         special education

·         training or experience in child development

·         have taught English as a second language

·         recreation management

·         youth leadership

Applicants must be energetic, have strong leadership skills, be able to get along well with people, and have a strong commitment to service. Preference will be given to those who have experience in International travel and volunteering.

Responsibilities of Volunteer Director(s) in Ecuador and Thailand

Your responsibility is to oversee and facilitate the volunteers’ work in orphanages as well as their overall experience. You will also be responsible to keep open communication with office staff to work on program improvements and overall program needs. These duties will be shared between the two Volunteer Directors.

Responsibilities include (but not limited to):

·  Maintain positive orphanage relationships with all staff

·  Administrative tasks such as attending meetings with orphanages to discuss volunteer work and orphanage needs

·  Attend a weekly Skype meeting with office staff to approve weekly budgets, review weekly travel plans, express any concerns, and keep open communication.

·  Communicate with other branches of OSSO via email and/or phone

·  Train and supervise volunteers

·  Ensure the volunteers observe the Code of Conduct

·  Schedule volunteer work with the various orphanages

·  Translate and interpret for volunteers and visitors (where applicable)

·  Manage finances for volunteer and program expenses

·  Keep accurate and up-to-date financial records in Quick Books.

·  Accompany volunteers to medical appointments

·  Purchase food for the volunteer house (Ecuador)

·  Coordinate visitors’ schedules and activities

·  Arrange transportation for the volunteers

·  Airport pick-ups and drop-offs for all volunteers.

·  Coordinate, attend, and supervise OSSO sponsored field trips.

·  Coordinate Spanish class for interested volunteers (Ecuador)

·  Work at the orphanages when there are not enough volunteers and when supervision of volunteers is needed.

Applicants must be committed to living by the OSSO code of Conduct and enforce it among volunteers.

The job will require frequent evening work and extra work on holidays when short-term volunteers often volunteer in the orphanages. It will require some Saturday work and occasional Sunday work, although compensatory time can be taken during the day and during mid-week.  During busy times, the work load may exceed 40 hours per week.

Please complete the online application below. Be aware that as part of the online application you must attach your resume and a letter of intent.

A note from past Ecuador Volunteer Directors, Sasha and Keenan Foster:

"I know that everyone’s experience as director is different, but there are some things that are universal.  This volunteer position shapes part of your life.  It becomes your life for a time and then you can’t imagine the rest of your life without this experience in it. We’re beginning to reflect on the year we’ve had here and the influence we’ve had and the influence everything has had on us.  We refer to the OSSO volunteers that came while we were here as our volunteers.  We literally consider the teens at OSSO and HML and Remar and HPT our friends.  It truly feels that way.  We made life long connections with the orphanages’ staff, our bus driver’s family and people at church and in the community.  Although I personally never thought of Ecuador as a place I would feel for, it is now engraved upon my heart.  It’s now not just another South American country that we might one-day visit.  It’s a home away from home.

This opportunity was perfect for us poor wandering college students. OSSO takes care of you.  We are volunteers and we work hard.  Sometimes we work so hard and so many days in a row that you would do anything for a nap.  When you reflect on it though, there’s nothing you’d rather be doing.  It’s a job that doesn’t ever really feel like a job and offers more perks than any job that you’ll ever have in your life.

When we first applied for this position we couldn’t believe that this type of opportunity existed.  Job experience – volunteer experience – compensation for travel, stay and living – working with children – living in Latin America – speaking Spanish all the time – a change – adventure.  I mean, we really didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into, but we were all for it.  I hope that everyone considers what this opportunity could do for your life.  It was a random and sudden change for us, but it was everything we needed and wanted.  We wondered if it was the right time or the right thing to be doing.  All I know is that the best things that have happened to us in the last few years weren’t planned, they were sudden and adventurous and required us to adjust our lives.

The people you work with from the Rexburg office to the 2-year-olds next door here in Cuenca, will love you and you will love them.  Consider it.  Do it.  There won’t be regrets."