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We decided to travel to Central and South America for 4 months and rather than just being tourists, we decided
to do volunteer work  for at
least one week in each of the countires we visited - Panama, Peru, and Ecuador. While we were traveling through Ecuador
(June of 2004) we undertook a two week volunteer program in Bahía de Caráquez teaching English to children in middle school (ages 6 – 13).
The program was put together by Genesis, a private school with good
facilities and credentialed teachers. We spent a couple days training at Genesis and then left to teach at a public school about 15
minutes walk by dirt road. At Fanka, we were shocked and saddened. “Teachers” would linger outside of the class rooms instead of
teaching to the kids. The “school” consisted of four buildings, two of which had no walls and were simply shelterd by a thatched
roof supported by four bamboo posts. They shared these facilities with the village fairgrounds, therefore chickens and an occasional bull
cow would come through the class room to visit. There was no playground and the kids threw rocks at each other as a way to pass time
during recess. Of course, the children tried to make the best out of the situation, but we could see there was no hope for them in these conditions.
As a result of this emotional experience, we met with Vladir, Genesis’ founder, to create a scholarship/sponsorship program to move
“high potential” kids from Fanka or any of the nearby public schools to Genesis. This concept was the first of its
kind for Genesis and provided a new hope for the less fortunate and hard working children.
 We also realized that for the small price of $700 per year (covers a child’s uniform, books/supplies, education, and a hot meal every day) we could create a new life for
these kids...one of opportunity and hope. We also felt that together with our community (you) we could make a huge difference
in the world by providing these children with a proper education and chance at a new future. |
