It's July and the dust is settling in the new head quarters of Cafe de Lenguas y Culturas. The highlight of the past month was definitely packing up everything and moving across town to a three story house in Barrio Miraflores. We were lucky to have the sibling duo, Kristin and Hilly from Washington, DC in town for two weeks. Along with Kids Club and teaching in schools, they gave us a much needed boost with painting, building beds, and other fixer-uper projects.
We'll miss the beachfront house, but the new space is looking good with fresh paint, regular hot water and a back yard garden.The new house got it's first big visit from Kids Club this week when a group of over 20 kids came from Sindicato de Choferes. We were joined by new volunteers Trey and Rosie from the United States. They'll be joining us for a month each, helping out with Kids Club and teaching classes at local schools. This Kids Club was the last one for long time volunteers Sandra and Jennie from the UK. We'll miss them both! They've done great work for the last 2-3 months in local schools and a foundation for youth with disabilities. Next up for Kids Club is building a trail to connect to the beach. We got a start this week when students made signs in the new Kids Club garage.
In the schools, the new reading program continued with the support of Frannie from California. She joined Sandra and Kristin at Jaime Roldos School doing reading workshops in Spanish with students who had been struggling. Regular English lessons continued at the public schools Felicisimo Lopez and San Alejo.
Apart from school, June saw the opening of Whale Season in Puerto Lopez with a big fiesta, including a visit from President Correa. Volunteers got in to it with a tour on the boat "Luz de Luna". Along with hiking and snorkeling around Isla de Plata, we saw tons of whale tails and at least one jump. June also had a party in nearby Machililla, beach trips and a bonfire that turned into just playing cards and eating cookies. Lastly, the Yankee volunteers took over the Cafe De Lenguas house to put on a decent 4th of July party complete with home made apple pie, hot dogs, and (vegan) burgers.
That's it for now! Keep in touch amigos!
-Eddie Barnhart
