More than Just Scholarships in Rural Ecuador

This week a lighthearted update from Ecuador, project manager Zoe shares some news from the field covering the three communities we work in:

‘At Larcacunga, 1st grade were learning different types of tastes and the senses – so, of course, we tried the “Marmite, te gusta o no te gusta” test! They pretty much universally hated it, but we may still send the results into Marmite anyway – here's a picture of little Estrella “enjoying” her first taste!

At Muenala, music lessons included an introduction to music theory and scales, and some fun with “push/pull forces” in second grade

And at Huayrapungo, the 5th grade had their first lessons in tectonic plates. A world map jigsaw was made out of polystyrene, which the children then had to piece together again. They also had to depict how plates were pushed together to form mountains, and how the continents were formed, using plasticine.

On top of this, the team were preparing themselves for the 2nd Ecuador Challenge started this weekend – mentally and physically, as they prepare to climb 4 volcanoes to raise funds for the project, including Cotopaxi, higher than Kilimanjaro and -22c on the summit! Good luck guys!’

We would like to share the most recent trustee report from the GVI Charitable Trust. This report covers the six month period from July to December 2011.

We are delighted to share that this has been by far our most successful period, raising in six months nearly as much as we did the whole of the previous year. This increase in funding has brought a corresponding increase in the impact we have been able to create on our programs around the world.

During this period we have invested in sustainable education across Latin America including support for the elderly in Guatemala and income generation schemes to support education in Honduras and Ecuador. In Mexico we have worked with a community to establish a recycling centre and in Kenya our partners in Mombasa will now realise their goal of seeing impoverished students through to completion of the primary education earning recognised qualifications for the first time. 

These are just a few highlights of an amazing, productive and rewarding six months. Thank you to everyone who has supported us and played a crucial role in these achievements.

• July - December 2011 Trustee Report (PDF)
  

As we draw to the end off another great year in Otavalo, Ecuador, we can reflect on massive advances achieved in 2011.

Initiatives to fund secondary education such as 'Plan Moo' (cows producing milk, cheese and other products) and 'Plan Cuy' (Breeding and selling Guinea Pigs, a popular delicacy in Ecuador) have proven a huge success which put the emphasis on community participation whilst empowering local people.

New timetables and a new community centre have also been introduced which have brought huge benefits to the program.

To raise funds for the project a team of hardy project staff and volunteers scaled three impressive peaks bring in amazing funds to support the children and communities we work with. Next year another impressive challenge is already planned which will see the challengers taking in the impressive Cotopaxi volcano. The name sends shivers down the spine of many!

Thank you so much to everyone who has shown support for this project in 2011, we look forward to more progression in 2012 and will keep you all updated.

Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year.