Travelers Share Insights, Adventures, Experiences From Ecuador

Group members participate in a minga, which is voluntary collaborative work, to help build a house.

It was a journey to the middle of the world when two groups took weeklong immersion trips to Quito, Ecuador, sponsored by the Sisters of Charity of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

For some, last fall’s excursion was a family trip: mother and daughter Tina and Tracy Bauer, husband and wife Tim and Mary Moothart, and mother and son Danita and Liam Grant.

Travelers stayed at the Working Boys’ Center (WBC), where BVMs served as teachers, administrators, and volunteers for more than 50 years. WBC’s staff encourage families in their commitment to their children and work hard to break the cycle of poverty.

“WBC makes a difference,” says Mary Ann Conzett. “Providing now for girls, boys, and families—they now have security, safety, education, nourishment, friendship, and family stability. What a gift, all from small steps.”

Founded in 1964 by Father John Halligan, SJ, the WBC began by addressing the needs of boys working on the streets shining shoes.

A few years after its founding, Miguel Conway, BVM added education to the offerings.

But it is more than a school. The whole family is involved with programs and workshops to break the cycle of poverty by learning skills, trades, and money management.

Over the years several groups have taken cultural and service immersion trips, many to see how people of another culture live and to be of help where they can. The groups visit schools and homes, and some paint or serve meals at the center.

During the recent immersion trips, each group gathered daily for prayer, Scripture reading, quiet reflection, and conversation about the day. A T-shirt created for the trip that says, “I volunteer to open my heart, to learn from others, and to make a difference” gave structure to the discussions.

The first night’s conversation centered on volunteering; the next on opening hearts; the third on learning; and the fourth on making a difference. Quotes from BVM Foundress Mary Frances Clarke also sparked inspiration, prayers, and discussion.

Sometimes the experience could be heart wrenching and inspiring at the same time.

“It was a very emotional experience for some of the families to explain their situations to us, and for me, hearing about the struggles the families have,” shares Danita Grant, who visited the homes in the countryside. “Seeing their living conditions firsthand really helped my understanding of what their daily lives are like.”

Most homes are modest. Some don’t have running water or heat, and some families live in one room divided by a blanket so you don’t see the beds when you enter.

“These homes were small and not built very well at all,” says Debi Marek. “I was amazed at the courage, faith, and hope the mothers had. They took what they had and made it work. Everything the parents did they did so their children could have a better life and be happy.”

The people they visited want to save enough to build their own home, and one of the groups was able to help make that a reality.

“The minga (voluntary collaborative work, in this case helping a family to build a house) was a lot of fun. It was really great seeing everyone working together unitedly. Everyone pitched in and did their part to help out,” says Liam, 14.

“At one point we even had an assembly line going where everyone would hand off the buckets filled with cement to the next person, and then the last person would dump it in a huge pile where the base of the house was to be made,” says Liam. Even though he didn’t think it seemed like much work was accomplished, “I still feel like we were able to give the family a big helping hand considering how much longer it would have taken them to do it all by themselves.”

Although the people they met struggle, they face the future with faith, generosity, and hope.

“We witnessed a unique Ecuadorian graduation and award ceremony for adult students who returned to school. We painted a few columns in the courtyard as gestures of service, but we are humbled by the magnitude of the genuine nature of the people that we have had the privilege to know here,” says Mary Moothart.

The people they met are grateful for those who touch their lives, and the visitors were grateful to have met them.

“I think throughout all of our days here we have seen Ecuadorians wear all different ‘hats’ of who or what they are meant to be,” says Tracy Bauer. “From my point of view, they are setting the world on fire with their gifts, genuineness, and hard work. They inspire me to work hard, continue learning, and be thankful, grateful, and blessed.”

If you are interested in joining a future Ecuador immersion service or cultural discovery trip, contact Lori Ritz, director of the office of BVM Life and Mission, lritz@bvmsisters.org or 563-588-2351.

 

This story was featured in:

Winter Salt 2020: Forming Relationships by Touching Hearts
If you would like to receive Salt, contact the Office of Development for a complimentary subscription at development@bvmsisters.org or 563-585-2864.

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