Love makes the world go ´round.

Well, our last day in Miraflores was emotional.  It felt rather like truanting to go onsite this morning and not pick up tools or a wheelbarrow while the construction team continued in their same inimitable style. 

Today we spent time with the children in their classrooms playing the likes of head shoulders knees and toes and practicing their English.  Which in fairness is better than my Spanish so I think I came away with more learning than they did.  They were very open about having shared a good week with us and explaining they were going to miss us.  However, they were also looking forward to meeting new people next week which is one of the great things about the project and one of the brilliant things about small people – always looking forward to the next interesting thing!

For me the highlight of our farewell ceremony was a short speech by a Miraflores Grandfather who has 33 grandchildren in the area and who wanted to thank us for providing opportunities for all of them that they would never have had were it not for Bupa.  He spoke simply and eloquently and very much straight from the heart.   A number of other local elders had come to farewell us as well and were very vehement in support of the project too.  They had a huge impact on me as they spoke from a position of experience and a genuine desire for a better life for their families. 

We also kissed a lot of construction workers, small people and parents, teachers etcetera.  I love the Latino approach to communication – hugs and kisses can say a whole lot more than words and a whole lot more effectively.

Afterwards we went to a late lunch with Gaston who is the husband of the founder of the Martha Estrella Foundation.  He invited us into his home to share a meal to thank us for being part of the challenge, contributing to a world of difference for many and also to share some of the feedback following  our TV appearance this week (ooh get us!).  He said that it had made not only the local news but news all over Ecuador and people had been contacting him to share their surprise that an organisation such as Bupa, with no links to the government etc, would make such an investment.  It was also apparently a talking point that a team of ´professionals´would do manual labour as a means of contributing to the community.  Apparently, manual work here is seen very negatively.  He is very passionate about the foundation and what it can achieve and has a genuine love for the community, volunteers and the world at large.  He really did pull the week together in a wonderful way.

Previous to coming to Ecuador, one of the Bupa Care team in Australia had referenced the experience as life transforming.  I have found it life affirming.  Those with little have given much, and it is clear to us that as a group we are abundantly blessed.  I know I am not the only one who has found the experience humbling and educational (but are still secretly thrilled to have developed great bicep muscles).

Hasta pronto. x