Final day and guess what bricks!!
Posted By Melanie Abram on September 11th, 2009
Filed In: Bupa Ecuador Challenge 2009, Care Services UK
Well what a week we have had and this will stay with me for the ever. We did some work on the site this morning after obtaining a police escort through hundreds of people waiting for the opening of the police recruitment on Monday. It is hard to believe that they will be camping out to obtain an application form on Monday for only about 600 places. Just so we did not feel withdrawal syptoms we did some final bricks, shifted some massa (cement) and agua (water) the brickies got their monies worth till the end!! Dont worry week 2 we have left you some nice bricks to scrape!!
After this we had the most amazing farewell ceremony given to us by the community, music, laughter, and presentation of certificates by the Martha Estrella Fundaçion, along with lovely beaded bracelets made by the children
If anyone is looking for something to bring I think the kids would like some dress up clothes about ages 3 – 10. Week one and Bupa Community connections then gifted to the community some goal posts and balls. The next challenge was to build them 
we succeeded with the kids help and then a game of football. (not easy at this altitude.
Thereafter we were taken to what used to be Martha Estrella´s family home and were given the most amazing lunch hosted by here husband Gaston. He gave us a history of how the Foundaçion commenced and is still a huge part along with his daughter Stephanie.
I have to say this week has been amazing, the community are most appreciative of all that is being undertaken for them and this will benefit their health and wellbeing in the future. The children are so engaging and loved having their photos taken and viewing on the digital cameras.
I am very sad to be leaving this project but feel what the team have undertaken this week is fantastic and look forward to following the future blogs over the next 11 weeks. I feel privilaged to be part of this challenge, hope to maintain links with the community in future, the team I have worked with under the leadership of Claire has been fantastic so a big thank you to all of them. Melanie signing out XX
3 Comments Post Your Comment
Mark Taylor on 9.12.09 at 12:04 am
This is Mark Taylor´s blog, still having technical issues with this site.
Today was our final day with the people of Miraflores. We split our groups, with some continuing with the bricks and five of us teaching the little kids some english. To my amazement they picked up all that we taught them really quickly even though some of the more little ones played truant. The farewell party was quite an emotional celebration with a lot of dancing with the locals. I´m sure there´s already loads of pictures and videos up on the community connections site about it. We also has lunch at Gaston´s house (he´s the husband of Martha Estrella in case you still didn´t know) and were blown away by his hospitality. A few tears were shed when he told us stories about how he met his wife and the life they had. It seems unreal that the week is already over, everyone wants to stay. I hope the remaining groups have as much of a fantastic experience as we have. Best wishes to you all.
marg4155 on 9.13.09 at 9:46 am
Thank you for your lovely blog,it’s definitly clear that you all had a great time in miraflores, something that will stay in your memory forever,I’m really looking forward to going now.I’ts been lovely reading the blogs you have all sent it made it sound really great as well as exhausting but definitly worth the experience.Well Done to you all xx
Clare Elsoffer on 9.13.09 at 10:36 pm
Congratulations week one. I’ve been avidly catching up on Ecuadorian escapades all day as frustratingly my internet connection’s been down all week! Looks like your team got the project off to a flying start… quite some act to follow. Thankyou all for sharing your experiences. The photo’s and video’s have really brought the challenge to life for me although I’m a little daunted by the realities of what I have seen I still can’t wait to join the project in week 9