A few days before Christmas, Emily flew to Ecuador to volunteer at an orphanage for two months. She was a volunteer for Orphanage Support Services Organization (OSSO). She lived in a home with an Ecuadorian family and an American couple, and a few other college aged girls who were all volunteers. The length of stay for each of the volunteers differed. Some stayed for a week or two, some for a month or two. Emily was excited for the chance to be in Ecuador for Christmas. She had taken lots of things with her that family members had donated to give to the children at the orphanage. We loved talking with Emily often to hear of her experiences. She really enjoyed working with the children. There were three different rooms at the orphanage called salas. The children were separated by age. In sala one were the infants 0- 6 months. In sala two were the children 6months to one year. Sala three was for the children older than one. The children in salas one and two never went outside. Their life was entirely in the room. The older children were able to go outside and play in the yard. There were a few times when Emily was able to visit other orphanages and interact with the children who lived at them. One place was a home for teenage boys with special needs. Emily has always had a sweet, loving, compassionate spirit. She was able to bless all of the children she came in contact with her love. I'm so proud of her and thrilled that she was able to have this wonderful, life changing experience.!
While in Ecuador, it was not all work and no play.......
each Friday the girls had the day off, and they usually went on a grand excursion.
At the end of her volunteer time in Ecuador, Emily and her friend Karissa had signed up to go on an amazon adventure. They were supposed to be staying in a beautiful lodge. When they got there, they found out the lodge was under construction, so they had to stay in this horrible bunk room. Not what they were expecting, but being the adventurous girls that they are, they just went with it and decided to make the best of their time in the amazon. There was a lot of mud!! and a few spiders and the threat of anacondas. I'm so grateful they were watched over and protected!! It was an adventure neither girl will ever forget.
The "resort" was along the Napa river in the amazon.
Emily learned how to protect herself by using blow darts.....
Emily was cleansed by the neighborhood shaman (medicine man)
Who needs an umbrella when you have huge leaves!!
Welcome home Emily!!! We missed you!!!!
Thanks for the fun gifts!!
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