#esterodeplatano

[gerardoreyesinecuador-blog]

This past week I went into the capital of the province that we live with the town leaders of Estero. We spoke to the representative in charge of Estero de Platano about how the beach front in Estero has begun to be swallowed by the ocean now that sea levels are rising. It has started tearing apart the rocks and foundation of Estero and if nothing is done soon, it may begin to take down homes. The meeting went over well, but according to the government representative we spoke to, it will take some time for her to move the proper funds to begin the reparations of the beach front. This is the beginning process for what I hope to be a swift course of government action to support and care for their people. Especially those who live in Estero de Platano who are often regarded as “non-priority” as they are a smaller community at the bottom of the class level. It can be very frustrating trying to seek government help for basic things here. And what is happening here is no longer a basic problem as it has begun threatening the livelihood of people living in Estero. I can only hope the representative will truly do her best to help.

[gerardoreyesinecuador-blog]

We painted the Alphabet in the library. Quite often children from the Pueblo come in not knowing the Alphabet, so we set out to paint it across the wall with our scholarship students. Now we can to teach it when need be.

[gerardoreyesinecuador-blog]

Me working with my host parents Elsa and Fermin in their garden out back of their house. We constructed a large cradle for their crops to grow in. The entirety of our construction was made from the nearby forest. We chopped down branches and cut them down into smaller steaks to support the large wooden cradle. And my host dad Fermin taught me how to make fertilizer solely from the shells and remains of fruits and vegetables. I furthered my practice using a machete and have now come to decision to purchase one of my own. My host family had a lot of influence in making this decision. After we set up the cradle supported by the steaks, we set down tarp at the bottom to hold water longer for the soil that was going to go inside. Finally, we placed all of the fertilizer mixed with soil into the cradle and were done. After a long morning of hard work and my own personal agricultural class, I set off for a nice bucket shower.

[gerardoreyesinecuador-blog]

Finally here

I have been in Estero de Platano for two and a half weeks now. The first few days transitioning into this new place were rough for me. I grew very anxious and felt lost with a deep yearning for my loved ones at home. However, the past few days have made me feel better as I have begun meeting more people and slowly building a routine. First time interactions are often very awkward as there isn’t too much to talk about, but I am always happy to meet a new person in Estero. As for routines, these past few days were by far the most successful. Lacey and I finally received our Visas for Ecuador, opened up the library in the school where we will carry out the majority of our volunteer work, and held a meeting with the scholarship students who we will be working with over the next 8 months. I am ecstatic to begin working with these students, as each of them seems genuinely interested in school and their studies.

This week we will set up our library hours for the students and establish a solid routine. I am very excited to have a consistent schedule and begin working with the students here.   

[tocagetheelephant-blog]

Estero de Platano 2015

This video is about Estero de Platano Tourism