Playing in the Park

~Sara

This journal is the last of my stories from visiting my Compassion children in Ecuador.  I had over 400 photos to choose from, so warning, it is long :)

After visiting with my Compassion sponsored boys in Quito, I went back to my friend’s house, got a good night sleep and woke early for a visit with two of my girls. The plan was basically the same, meet at the office, go to the park to play, then go out to eat.

I managed to catch the right bus that dropped me right in front of the Compassion office. I got there about 45 minutes early, and so I sat and waited for my children to arrive.

Both girls got there at the same time. It was sooo good to see them again! It was a happy reunion with the girls, their parents, and their project workers. Pamela’s cousin, Angelica had also come along for the trip. We had all played together at their house last year, and she did not want to be left behind.

   

Pamela                    Angelica                     Angela

I had brought a stuffed animal for each of my girls, and I rearranged some of the gifts so that Angelica would have something as well. After the greetings were out of the way, the three girls and I hopped in a taxi and along with the adults we headed to the park.

We spent the morning playing in the park, and chasing each other all over the place. The girls were amazed by all of the different play equipment and kept running from one play structure to another, I think they wanted to try everything out.

		Playground!! VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

Their favorite part was playing on the old airplane that had been converted into a playground. When they first saw the plane it seemed to be closed, but as soon as they saw other kids climb through the fence they were running toward the plane and dragging me as fast as they could. “Hurry Madrina! We need to get there before it closes again!!” 

The girls climbed out the window of the plane and posed on the wing… Can you tell this is not in the USA…

The airplane had been painted and on the left side was the huge slide.

The girls were a little nervous…

but their smiles said it was not too scary.

All of us in front of the plane.

Saying hi to the adults

Posing on the wing

The inside of the plane was all empty except for the benches at the back

The girls had a lot of fun… and I did too :)

Afterward we found a vendor who was selling snow cones…

When we were all worn out from playing we went back to the pavilion where the adults were resting. We posed for a ton of photos, then played jump rope.

Angela, Angelica, Pamela and I with their teddy bears

The whole group (Pamela’s project worker and great aunt “mom.” Angela, her mom, Angelica, Pamela, and Angela’s tutor)

Pamela’s Family

Angela and her mom (also named Angela)

    

Pamela and Angelica are actually niece and aunt, but since they are the same age, their family calls them their twins.

Jumping doubles with Angela

And with Pamela

Pamela tried to turn the rope….

..but she couldn’t quite figure it out

Angela knew exactly what to do

Watching the expert

Then we headed out of the park for lunch. Because it had taken so long the day before to order in the food court, my guide and I decided to go to a local Burger King instead. When we took the order, we had to explain to the girls what a hamburger was. We asked each person if they wanted a roll with beef, or a roll with chicken. All three girls wanted burgers. 

While we were waiting for our food, we got to open the “surprises” that we had been teasing the girls about all morning. I had to do some creative shuffling because I had not counted on having Angelica with us, but in the end each girl looked happy with her gifts.

Angela and Pamela got new binders to hold the letters that I send to them and all three girls got clothing, school supplies, toys, candy, and headbands that I had made for them

Then the food arrived and we all dug in…..

After they finished their burgers the girls begged me to go with them to the playland. They had so much fun running in the tunnels, but they were sad that I was too tall to go in with them.

Pamela and Angela had to bring their bears with them

I don’t know how Angelica did it in her skirt, but she was one of the fastest up the playground.

After playing for a while we realized that they were supposed to have taken their shoes off

Pamela said something and Angela thought it was the funniest thing! (no, I don’t remember what it was)

The netting made it hard to take photos, but this is Angela and Angelica in the playland

Pamela :)

When they were all worn out again, we all had ice cream as a special treat…

Then the girls saw the vendor who had set up in front of the restaurant…

First you get in ….. Then they close up the opening most of the way

Then the leaf blower fills it up………. Till it is full!

The girls had a hard time getting their balance and spent most of the time either laying down, or crawling

But they did manage to get up on their feet a few times…

They seemed to have a lot of fun

 

All too soon it was time to say goodbye so that the families could make it back home. First we dropped Pamela, Angelica, and their family off at the trolley station. It was so hard to say goodbye.

Then we took Angela and her mom back to the hotel to pick up their bags, and we had a few more minutes together before their taxi came to pick them up. We were both out of words by then and so we just sat and smiled at each other. She sat on my lap and I reminded her that I would write her many many letters, and that I was always thinking about her and I loved her very much.

When the taxi came we took one last photo, then said goodbye.

Out of all the visits that I had with my Compassion children, that was the hardest one to see end. I love those little girls so much and it had been such a joyful time to see their smiles, hear their laughter, and feel their little hands swallowed in mine.

Every time I think of that visit I thank God that he gave me the opportunity to be a part of the lives of those two precious girls and by extension, their entire families.

The power of a letter…

by sara

While I was spending the day with my sponsored children David and Kevin, I also took the time to get to know the project workers that interact with the boys on a regular basis. When I talked with David’s tutor she told me that, among other things, she helps the children to write letters. Letter writing has always been one of my favorite parts of being a sponsor, and so I asked her about the process and about the children’s reactions to the letter writing process.

“The kids are always thrilled to receive letters from their sponsors and to know more about them and their families”.

She said that she loves to help the kids write letters and for the most part, the kids are also excited to write letters to their sponsors.

With kids who are old enough to write, but not quite competent with composition, she helps them to organize their thoughts. When she helps my David write a letter to me she said that he dictates his thoughts and she writes them on the whiteboard. Then he sits down and carefully copies those sentences. Apparently he always has more to tell me than will fit on a page.

But she also told me that not all of the kids look forward to the letter writing days.

One girl in the project has had a sponsor over five years, ever since she was registered in the project. However, in all that time she has not received a single letter or photo. All she knows of her sponsor is her name.

For the children letters represent relationship, they see their sponsors as valued family members and want to get to know them better. For this little girl, the lack of letters and relationship with her sponsor has effected her self-esteem. She asks her tutors…

Why don’t my sponsors write to me? Why don’t they care about me? Am I not pretty enough? Do I not write nice enough letters? Why do other kids have sponsors who write to them, but not me?

The tutor has had to reassure her that her sponsor does care and does love her. She comforts her and encourages her to keep praying that her sponsor will write.

I am sure that her sponsor has no idea how much of an impact her words of encouragement would mean to her child. A simple note describing the sponsor’s family, and telling the child that she is loved and prayed for would make a world of difference to this little girl.

If you sponsor a child, will you sit down and write them a letter today?

If you have not written to your child yet, would you take a few minutes, right now, to be the answers to their prayers? Or if you have written, take the time to write a quick note to tell your child how much you care for them and are praying for them.

In addition to financial sponsorship, the few minutes you carve out of your day to write a letter will tell a little one that they matter and are special to someone. 

 

For those who sponsor through Compassion, a new email system has been created that allows you to chose from a number of colorful stationary templates, and gives you the option to upload photos to send with your letter. You can find the email option on your account at www.compassion.com

Kevin and David

by sara

After spending the weekend visiting with my friend and his family in Quito, I headed out Monday morning to meet my boys.

I walked and then took public transport to get to the Compassion office. I actually must have gotten on the wrong bus, because I was supposed to take it all the way to the trolley station which is next door to the Compassion office. But the one I took kicked everyone out at a bus station. After asking lots of questions and catching a new bus I finally made it to the correct stop, and then to the office.

When I walked in I looked around to try and find Omar, the visit specialist and my guide for the day. I was instead greeted by a familiar face.

My David had arrived early!

He ran over and and gave me a huge hug. He was with his mom and a tutor from Compassion project at his church. We spent some time catching up and sharing stories. After a little while we were joined by Omar, who went to try and figure out when my other child, Kevin, would arrive.

After reaching Kevin’s project director on the phone, we agreed to meet him and his family at the big park in the middle of the city.

The park is called La Carolina. It is a beautiful park with grassy fields, basketball courts, soccer fields, and different attractions scattered throughout. It stretches for quite a few city blocks.

We met Kevin and his family in the park and we all headed out to the area where you could rent paddle boats. David, Kevin and I hopped in with Kevin’s little sister and we started off around the little pond.

The park had a man-made pond that was a huge figure eight.

Kevin, Rut, Me, and David.

David’s legs were a little short to man the pedals, and I kept steering us into the walls (it’s harder than it looks!)

But we had fun anyway

Yeah, we had run into the wall again… but a great time for a photo!

Explaining to David how to steer the boat. We mostly went in circles.

Kevin telling us about a boat that he had made.

As we paddled around we talked a little bit, but mostly we just enjoyed each other’s company. This was my third year to see my boys, and their second time to meet each other.

After making a few laps in the boat we pulled up to the dock and headed into another part of the park

Not before taking a few more photos….

Me with the boys, David and Kevin

The adults of the group. Kevin’s project director, David’s mother, Kevin’s mother, and David’s tutor.

We headed straight to the playground and had fun running all over the equipment. This was probably my favorite part of the visit. there is something about running and playing that quickly breaks down shyness and lets you get to know a child in a special way.

Once we were thoroughly exhausted we spent a few minutes talking and then headed to the local mall to have dinner in the food court.

After a long decision Kevin went for the McDonalds burger

Rut with her “happy box”

David wanted Pizza

After eating we got to exchange gifts.

David with his new hat, school supplies, and the binder I made for him to keep his letters from me.

This is Kevin with his new binder (I had brought books the first year, but they’re full now).

David looking good in his Olympic sweatshirt.

Showing Kevin all the science info in the Magic School Bus books I brought for them. He wants to be an Engineer when he graduates.

David being silly.

After talking and exchanging gifts it was time to get the boys home. We headed to the bus station for our final goodbyes.

Saying good bye to David.

Kevin, me, his mom, and his sister Rut. I am holding the jewelry box that Kevin made for me out of a coconut shell.

One last photo..

Sarah Brown

This is a video of the little girl my grandmother just sponsored thorough Compassion International. It is not related to our trip to Ecuador, but we needed a place to store the link and I thought you would enjoy seeing it.

Enjoy!


GH2320090 from Compassion International on Vimeo.


And here is the little girl that I was able to sponsor. I thought it would not be possible, but with a little help from my creative family, Janet is now a part of my family.


GH2320118 from Compassion International on Vimeo.

And here is a tour of the project they attend. Led by the director of the Compassion program for their church.


Video Tour of Compassion Project in Ghana from Compassion International on Vimeo.

At the Beach with Yamileth

by sara

After I visited Elian and his family in Santo Domingo, my translator and I rode the bus to Esmeraldas, a large coastal city in northern Ecuador. My sponsored child Iris Yamileth lives in a small neighborhood on the outskirts of town.

After eating breakfast in the hotel the next morning I waited in my room, wishing the clock hands to move faster toward the hour when Yami was supposed to arrive.

While I was lamenting the slowness of time and wondering exactly how I would know when she got there, the phone in my room started ringing. I picked up the receiver and said Hola? A familiar voice on the other end said “Hola Madrina (sponsor).” I rushed right down to the lobby and gave Yami a big hug! It was sooo good to see her again.

After greeting her mother and being introduced to the director of the project we took a taxi from the hotel to her neighborhood in the south end of Esmeraldas.

Yamileth attends the Compassion program activities at the local church in her neighborhood. In addition to the church building there are rooms that were constructed specifically for the project activities: tutoring, Bible classes, organized play, healthy meals, and medical checkups. The church also serves as the neighborhood park and gathering place. When I visited last year the ground was uneven and not very conducive to running around. This year the play area was smoothed out and soccer goals were set up on each side.

The Church Compound

The pastor also showed us the wall that was being built around the church compound. Apparently the neighbors like to use the church property as a short cut and they drive across the field with little regard for the kids playing. The wall will ensure that the kids are safe.

Next door to the church is the elementary school that Yami and her siblings attend. On the other side of the school and across the dirt road is Yami’s house. She lives with her parents and 3 (soon to be 4) of her siblings in a small cinderblock house. The house is continually under construction and right now has two bedrooms with a small kitchen and bathroom. There are also two rooms in front of the kitchen that do not have a roof. The floors are rough concrete and the whole house can’t be much bigger than 15’ by 30’.

I was happy to see the new room that was being added on, and the fact that the front wall was more substantial. Yami had mentioned in a few letters that she gets nervous when she and her siblings are home alone. Hopefully the stronger wall will help keep her and her family safer.

The front of the house last year. A blanket covered the doorway.

 

The front of the house this year. Still is missing a door and windows, but it is a lot better.

 

While we were at Yami’s house we took some time to open gifts. I love to bring surprises for my kids.

Checking swimsuit sizes

 

Yami liked the one with hearts.

 

It fit just right!

 

She decided to wear the headband I had made for her right away.

 

The sparkly pants were a hit too.

 

She wore them when she showed us the mother’s day dance that she had performed at church.

 

Eric in his new hat and shirt.

 

All my kids loved the Slinkys that I brought. Best $0.10 that I ever spent.

 

After visiting and talking we headed out to go to the beach.

Yami and Eric on the bus

 

With little sister Estefani

 

After a long bus ride we arrived at the beach community of Atacames. We ate lunch at a local restaurant…

…then headed straight to the beach.

We spent the afternoon playing in the sand, jumping in the waves, and eating ice cream.

All too soon it was time to head home. We made the long trip back to Yami’s community and dropped her family off at her house. She and I walked back to the church to grab my backpack and spent our last few minutes saying goodbye.

During the visit I had many opportunities to learn more about Yami and her family.  I found out that in the last year her older sister had gotten married, had a baby, and moved to the capital city of Quito with her family. I also found out that Yami’s mom is pregnant and any day now the family will have a new little baby. Even though we exchange frequent letters, there are some things that you only really learn when you are face-to-face.

My favorite part of the visit with Yami was just being near her. Holding her hand, seeing her smile, and running with her in the waves. It was also neat to play and bond with Yami’s siblings. None of them are registered with Compassion, so Yami said that she shares me with all of them. She also told me that more than being a sponsor, she called me her mom. It was humbling to know how much she looks up to me.