Day 8: Flying Solo

Welcome to La Marin.

by Jared D’Sa ‘15

On our eighth day in Ecuador, brave Regians flew solo, away from each other for an entire day, as we shadowed year-long volunteers at the Center for Working Boys. The Center relies on the goodwill of these volunteers, many of them recent college grads, to do so much of what it does. Today was our day to have a taste of what that year is like.

Although start times varied, we began our day as we always do, in solidarity, with a prayer and hopes for the day. I myself followed Christina, who was teaching 4th grade English that morning. As it is the end of the year, the girls watched the movie Sky High 2 in Spanish while they got their nails painted in a manner vibrant even for energetic young girls. Afterwards, we took them to the library-slash-computer-lab where they took lessons on typing and silently read books to themselves. If one was so lucky, and I was one such sort, the girls would read their story aloud to you. It really felt amazing to be welcomed so warmly by girls I had just met into a place they called “mi hogar segundo.” They seemed to enjoy reading so much, sharing something that many of us take for granted.

Following the library, we went to the Girls Program, where girls make bracelets and other accessories that would be sold to raise money for the Center. As the girls worked (and told me absurdly difficult riddles in Spanish) Christina explained that for their last project they are making skirts that they think are being sold, but the year-long volunteer intends to give back to them as gifts. It was at that moment I realized the genuine and incomparable love the year-longs have for their kids.

Finally, after a lunch break, we went to La Marin and watched the kids play in the park completely blissfully despite being in one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Quito. On the way back after a long day’s work, Christina and I stood on the hot and crowded public bus for over an hour. It was just one day, but I was exhausted, a sentiment shared by my Regis friends when we debriefed that night. We agreed that the year-long volunteers play such an integral role in the success of the Center and sacrifice so much for the kids they love. To think they do this every day for an entire year, away from their homes and families, is something we should not only respect, but admire.

Much Love,
Jared