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E C U A V I S T A
Get YourFiesta On!
Calendar ofHolidays andFestivals (pg.10)
Ecuador Revealed!
Never before seenvolunteer photos!(sin facebook)
Survival Guide
From thevolunteers wholived it
(pg.7)
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
Peter DanielsWorldTeach Ecuador Director
Next year, WorldTeach will celebrate twenty years in Ec
-
uador.
Gringos
and
Ecuas
alike celebrate the attempts to ex
-
change culture and language. Just imagine how many localshave enjoyed watching their beloved
“
teacher
”
singing Mi
-
chael Jackson hits, dancing salsa, and helping students masterthe di
ff
erence between
“
the love
”
and
“
love
”
. On the con
-
trary, take a moment to re
fl
ect on how many of those teach
-
ers have returned to their homeland to tell vibrant storiesabout getting their face smashed in a cake, barbecuing rodents on a
paseo
with students, and bringing the Ecua
-
whine back to adulthood. Ecuador is a much sillier place because of WorldTeach volunteers, and vice versa. All kidding aside, your students have been given an opportunity to improve their lives through your classes. Though their e
ff
ort may seem inconsistent, they hope to advance their careers by leveraging their English skills and,consequently, to improve the lives of their family. In my opinion, the value of their certi
fi
cate or degree is contin
-
gent upon the individual attention of their teacher. This is where you all come in.We Field Sta
ff
want to celebrate our volunteers
’
role as cultural ambassadors. I implore you to make the mostout of every opportunity during your time in Ecuador. Make your lesson plans inspirational, your relationships vivid,and your communities remember you. Don
’
t miss this chance to take away patience,
fl
exibility, self
-
reliance, andmemories you will never forget.Go your best,Peter
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ABOUT WORLDTEACH:
Based at the Center for International Development at Harvard University, WorldTeach offers the benefits of a well-established volunteer organization, while also providing more comprehensive, personalized support and training as asmall NGO. In each of our programs, volunteers are placed at schools, and host communities in developing countriesthat specifically request WorldTeach volunteers and would otherwise be unable to afford or locate qualified teachers. Volunteers receive training, language preparation, and field support, empowering them to make an impact that will lastlong after they leave.
“AAAhhhhhhh-mazing!”
- Peter Daniels
On January 24, 2010 Peter Daniels will be passing on the Directortorch to current Assistant Director Kate Kurnick, and returning to theStates. Thank you Peter for all of your advice, support, and of coursethe laughs. You may be leaving but we will always remember you, andyour Ecua-cell number (#508- should’ve called Kate!) Buena Suerte!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Director’s Message 2New Beginnings 4Teaching and Students 5Ecuador Survival Tips 7Family 8Travel 9 You Know You’re In Ecuador When... 11Reflections 12
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Editor’s Note
WorldTeach Volunteers, Alumnae, Prospective Volunteers, Friends, and Family:It has been our privilege to work on the Ecuavista this year. Living in Ecuador in separate locations allacross the country has naturally disconnected us a bit from our fellow volunteers. The Ecuavista hasallowed us, as editors, to remember the joys and challenges we share together as members of World-Teach. We hope that this magazine provides the opportunity for our current and past volunteers, as well as loved ones, to share in our diverse experiences as English Teachers here in Ecuador.Thank you to our directors Peter Daniels and Kate Kurnick for their support, and also to Laura Stulland Owen Serra for their editing work. Thank you especially to all the volunteers who took the time to be part of this magazine.Con carino,
Alicia Kagawa (& chicken foot) Jenny Seneor (& monkey) Emily Koester (& cuy)2009-2010 Ecuavista Editors
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