Saying Goodbye

Going into this trip, I had wanted to visit markets, museums, and tour the country as much as I could-- thinking only second of my experience in the school. Reflecting on that now, I have opposite memories. While the tours were interesting, the city beautiful, and the zip-lining fun, what stands out in my mind is not those lonely moments standing in the main square in Quito, but the noisy dinner-time games of cheating at UNO with Samuel, hearing my name screamed from all directions in a busy classroom, and learning how to make empanadas from scratch with Rosa; it's the people I remember. The orphanage seems like its own private world, which

opened its heart and loved me without condition from the moment I walked in. The warmth and unconditional, unquestioning acceptance I received while there, I hope to ingrain in my own perspective of the world. I will not allow myself to miss these amazing people, as I will not allow myself to think of never seeing them again. In such a short time, I opened my heart completely to those kids, and though it made leaving infinitely more painful, it made the experience of living with them and loving them life-changingly beautiful.

To those who contributed, financially or otherwise, I have only to say,
Thank You.

Pictured, left to right

Behind the couch (farthest row):
Kate (Katherine) Fowler
Ashley Steinberg
Nicole Nehiley
Libby (Elizabeth) Osborne
Patty (Patricia) Rosas

On the couch (middle row):
Labrinaa Almeidaa
Michaela Bartholomy
Me
Bayley Forshee
Meaghan Mullaly (crouching)

In front of the couch (closest row):
Nai'an Lenus
Leah Kiernan

Dr. Maria Lawrence

Dr. Jill Harrison

Juan Pablo and his wife

Aaron Isaias Mendez- volunteered to be our translator/ tour guide on many occasions and grew up in the orphanage

Gladys Calán- Elementary English teacher I worked with

Andrés Mejía- High school English teacher

Rose (Rossy) Fuentes- House mother of my "dinner group"

My favorites from Rose's house- Stiven, Katy, and Samuel

Young boy from the orphanage- His mother had burned his face with a clothing iron

Youngest child at the orphanage- 2 months old

View from my classroom

Rose's Homemade Empanada Recipe
Makes 25- 30 medium size empanadas

In a small pot, boil together
-1/2 cup of water
-1/2 spoonful of sugar
-1 spoonful of salt
-2 heaping spoonfuls of butter

While that boils, sift together
-4 or 5 cups of flour
-1 tablespoon of baking power

Once small pot is boiled, add 1 additional cup of water to cool mixture

Combine in flour bowl
-Small pot mixture
-1 egg

Knead until solid ball of dough. Slowly add water if too dry, or flour if too sticky.

Form dough into small, palm-sized balls. Flatten out balls with rolling pin and shape into circles. Add filling in center, fold over, and pin close with fork. Deep fry until golden brown, let cool.