The Pervasiveness of Sexual Violence

A timely Winnipeg Free Press article as university and college classes start up again:

www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/The-culture-of-rape-Myths-misconceptions-and-reality-273285621.html?cx_navSource=d-tiles-2

Domestic Violence on the Rise Among Syrian Refugees

Karen Leigh writes about Domestic Violence on the Rise Among Syrian Refugees (The Opinion Pages - Nicholas Kristof - The New York Times):

kristof.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/08/29/domestic-violence-on-the-rise-among-syrian-refugees/?_php=true&_type=blogs&module=BlogPost-ReadMore&version=Blog%20Main&action=Click&contentCollection=Syria&pgtype=Blogs&region=Body&_r=0#more-12900

Journey to Churchill

Journeyed to Churchill today (well, kind of!) - went to check out the newest part of the Assiniboine Park Zoo and were treated to some water acrobatics by one of the female polar bears.  Very cool!

www.zoosociety.com

Ecuador - Day 9

Our flight landed in Toronto just before midnight on Friday so I booked a room at the Sheraton and got some rest before the final flight of my trip home Saturday.  To finish, I want to go over some things I learned on this Compassion Ecuador Exposure trip:

1. Compassion is an organization whose main focus is caring for people.  I'm not simply talking about the children in their care, I'm talking about myself and how they planned the trip with me in mind (hotels that are safe, food prepared properly - all concerns in foreign countries).
2.  I posted this earlier, but I think it bears repeating:  Compassion as an organization is about integrity.  If you've been thinking about sponsoring a child and are hesitant, please contact me.  I cannot emphasis it enough - all we saw was transparency and accountability.
3. If you already sponsor a child (through any organization), I commend you.  And then I challenge you, as I was challenged during the trip, to make writing letters to your sponsor child a top priority.  Especially when we heard from past sponsor children, the letters were of utmost importance to them - knowing that someone half a world away really cared about them as an individual.  Compassion delivers sponsor letters to the projects once a month so my goal is to write a letter every month of the year so that my sponsor kids will never be left out when the letters arrive.
4. Maybe you can't afford to sponsor a child, but there are other ways to get involved.  One way is to bring Compassion Sunday to your church (officially happening this year on October 19).  You can find more information at compassionsunday.ca.
5. Or maybe you can afford to sponsor a child (or 2 or 3) - don't hesitate - today's your day!  Perhaps there are moments in your life when you wonder if it's possible to make a difference in this world.  I'm telling you that it is possible - 1 child at a time!  I have seen it for myself, with my own eyes - the little girl I started sponsoring 10 years ago has grown up into a beautiful young woman with hopes and dreams for her future.  Now Evelyn may have had the same hopes and dreams without Compassion in her life but this is the difference - now she believes they are possible.  And it's all because I decided to take a leap of faith and started to sponsor her.  I can remember going to the Compassion website and making the request, and I certainly had no idea that this is where the journey would take me a decade later, but nonetheless, here I am.  Maybe your journey with a Compassion child starts today:  www.compassion.ca/sponsor-a-child

Ecuador - Day 8

After a whirlwind trip of travel and emotions, it was time to head home again.  Just like with my YWAM travels, it's when you just want to get home, that you can't seem to get there!  We had to leave the hotel by 5 a.m. in order to get to the airport on time.  Since we had originally landed in Quito at night, it was wonderful to see the landscape as we said goodbye.  Meals are always questionable on flights, but breakfast has to be the worst (are those really eggs?)!  I was able to journal and even take a little nap.  All of the flights home were uneventful - it was the hours of waiting at the airport that proved somewhat painful!

Photo:  Lisa Braun

The group started travelling in different directions from Miami as there were 2 different flights to Toronto and the 1 group heading back to Calgary.  We were well fed all week (overfed, really) so I'm not sure why I had to scarf down a Wendy's burger and suck back my drink so badly, but apparently I was ready for some familiar tastes of home!  Thankfully we had people to hang out with during our 6.5 hour layover in Miami, especially since this has got to be one of the only airports in the world without free WiFi!

Sophie, Sarah, Janet, Brian & Enid

There were no get-to-know-you games to introduce the group (thankfully!) - we simply got to know one another throughout the week.  It may have been on one of our bus rides or perhaps over a meal, but no matter how different we were, we all had 1 thing in common:  a heart for Compassion.  Ages ranged from 12 to 70; singles and couples; some were relatives.  And here we were, all heading home, trying to figure out how this experience changes us and makes life different than 8 days ago!

Ecuador - Day 7

After a week full of days where I thought that my heart couldn't get any fuller, it did again today!  We were told that we would be meeting our sponsor kids at the water park where we would be spending the day with them but that was actually a little white lie.  When we gathered together in the morning, we were told the truth that all the kids were actually at the hotel already, along with a family member and someone from their project, as well as translators (everyone had their own today, which was wonderful - Juanfer did an amazing job, not only translating but capturing the day on my camera as well).

Photo:  Sharon McDonald

We had to line up in a specific order and as we approached the room, we discovered that this was the order in which we would meet our sponsor child.  I could spot Evelyn in the lineup and it was unbelievable to think that this young woman who has been a part of my life for the last 10 years through letters, was here right in front of me!  Big hugs and tears all around!  Her father, Victor, had come along for the day and when he held out his hand to shake mine, I just gave him a huge hug instead!  (Her mom and 2 younger brothers were back at home.)  I had made matching friendship bracelets for the 2 of us, so we did that before boarding the bus to the water park.

The day was ours to do with what we wanted at the water park,

Thanks again Sharon!

but it was really limited as to the time we had together - we had to make the most of it!  I wanted Evelyn to decide what activities she wanted to do - we started with taking pictures and then played one of my favorite games Qwirkle.  I had brought along all of Evelyn's letters and so she read through some them before lunch.  After lunch, she opened the gifts I brought for her (again, some tears!) and we went through some of the gifts I brought for her family.  I had brought her brothers Team Canada mini hockey sticks and she wanted to play hockey so we did that for a while before playing Connect 4.  Finally, she wanted to play soccer with some of the other kids and then the day was done - it was time to say goodbye.

Both of us asked various questions throughout the day but I certainly had a lot more time to think about this day than she did.  Evelyn only found out about the visit yesterday and so she hadn't even slept that well, as she was too excited.  It's hard to express what it's like to know the impact that my $41 per month has had on Evelyn, her family, community and Compassion project.  But I do know that it's made a difference and have no doubt that she will make a difference in the lives of other people throughout her life.

Thanks for taking these pictures Sharon & Juanfer!

All the children and their families went straight home from the water park and we went back to the hotel for supper and one final activity.  We were treated to a local musical group whose name translates to "Messengers of the King".  There were 5 brothers and they shared what it was like to be a sponsored child through Compassion.  It was such an encouraging way to end the trip as they were proof that people can rise up out of poverty.

Ecuador - Day 6

It was an early start as we hit the road by 8 a.m. to drive back to Quito.  Again, we travelled along The Avenue of the Volcanoes and we got a good view of 2 dominant peaks.  Ecuador has 12 peaks over 16,000 feet (there were a few people on our trip that

Cotopaxi Volcano

had altitude sickness).  Preparing for the trip, I reread Evelyn's letters and she mentions an active volcano (Tungurahua at 16,500 feet).  Chimborazo is the highest Ecuadorian peak at 20,702 feet and the third highest in America.  We got a glimpse of its peak, surrounded by thin cloud but got even luckier with Cotopaxi, which is the highest active snow-capped volcano in the world at 19,347 feet.  It has been fairly quiet since its last burst of activity in 1904.

We arrived in Quito for lunch and had a local dish called chugchucara, which included white corn (lots of corn out here!), pork, potatoes, popcorn, pork rind.  For the afternoon, we went to see the Compassion Ecuador office.  They explained the various programs, finances and auditing procedures of the organization.  The best room was the mail room - filled with incoming and outgoing letters between sponsors and their kids!

Francisco, Manases, Alba, Yessenia

We returned to the Swissotel for the remainder of our trip.  In the evening, four Leadership Development Program (LDP) students also joined us for supper.  Each of them was sponsored through the CDS program and then continued to be sponsored through the LDP as university students.  They shared from their hearts about how Compassion had made a difference in their lives and how they want to be able to make a difference in other people's lives now.

Again, it was an emotional time together.  Each of the LDP students was asked the question if their sponsor was in front of them, what would they say?  That's when the tears really flowed!  Maybe more so for all of us sitting in the chairs listening to them, as tomorrow we knew that we would be hearing an answer from our very own sponsor child!!  After months of planning and packing, tomorrow is the day - I finally get to meet Evelyn!!!

Ecuador - Day 5

Today was our last full day in the Riobamba area.  We went to Los Corderitos Student Center at El Corderito Church (EC468).  Like the project on Sunday, this was the first
Compassion Exposure group to visit the project and so we were greeted with fanfare!  At this project we were able to see a Respond with Compassion (Complementary Intervention) program.  With $28,000 from Compassion and another $11,000 plus donated labor from the church, a special building was constructed on the church property.  One room was for the teens (computers, ping pong, etc) and the other included children's activities (pictured left).

Manuel, his wife & 4 of 9 kids

After going through the meticulous record keeping of the program (accountability and transparency are top priorities), we divided up into 5 groups to do another home visit.  Today's visit was for us to experience "a day in the life of a sponsored child".  We met Manuel and his family and were able to bless them with some food.  They do have electricity, a water well and an outhouse.  They also grow quinoa but it wasn't quite ready to harvest yet.  Instead, we helped them collect clover for the cows, something the kids would do after school.

Thanks for taking this picture Li!

Back at the project after lunch (local delicacy guinea pig was one choice!), we were able to see some classrooms in action and then had time to play with the kids.  The sun finally came out and I had fun blowing bubbles with the kids. . .they never ceased to tire of it!  Again, I didn't need to know Spanish - hands were in the air and they were jumping up and down when they thought it should be their turn.  Another amazing day, meeting wonderful people - both those who work for Compassion and those who rely on Compassion for help. Tomorrow we head back to Quito and that means that I'll be meeting Evelyn soon!!

Ecuador - Day 4

Liane, Karen, Brian, Janet, Steve & Renato

For our second project visit, we went to the Pulingui Student Center, connected with the Church Verbo Pulingui (EC420).  Yesterday's visit was a glimpse of Compassion's Child Development through Sponsorship Program (CDS) but today we were able to experience their Child Survival Program (CSP).  This program includes 40 women who are either pregnant or have a child from infancy to the age of 3.  We were greeted by them on a rather cold and rainy Monday, and were each given a rose.

Like yesterday, there were greetings and introductions, singing and dancing, all for us.  And there were even games - having fun has no age limit!  We heard more about the CSP - there are 2 ladies who make home visits to 20 moms each week for 3 weeks of the month.  The fourth week is spent planning for the next 3 weeks.  Development - throughout the pregnancy and early childhood - is closely monitored and if outside resources are needed, for example a pediatrician, the project makes sure that happens and pays for any medication, etc.

After serving lunch, we divided into 5 groups (my group is pictured above) for home visits.  The project people felt bad for us, as it was a cold day (even though we are Canadians!) and gave us each a toque and scarf to keep us warm on our travels (gotta' love the cow print!).  Our group only had a short walk to Luzmila's house.  Her uncle owns the house

?, Ivonne, Luzmila, Nayeli, ?, Bryan

and she doesn't have access to a field (potentially crops for herself or to sell).  She has no electricity, no running water or toilet.  Her 3 children have 3 different fathers, all of who are not involved in their lives (common in this area).  Her son Bryan had his own room and Luzmila shares the other room with her daughters Ivonne and Nayeli (who is part of the CSP).  Compassion makes a difference in their lives but you have to wonder - how is such poverty still present in our world?

We all gathered together at the church before leaving to give the project some gifts.  I still

Thanks for taking this picture Steve!

 had about 50 Threads of Hope bracelets (threadsofhope.com.ph) from my time with YWAM and since there were 40 moms plus staff, I gave them to the project.  I explained that moms from the other side of the world had made them so they could provide for their children and not sale them into sexual slavery.  My hope was that is would encourage these women to continue to persevere as they try to make a better life for their children.

Ecuador - Day 3

The trip overall was a very emotional one.  Tears would come when you least expected them and that was the case as we approached our first project visit on Sunday.  We went to visit Buenas Nuevas Student Center (EC456) associated with the Good News Evangelical Center.  As we drove up to the church, we saw all these children lined up, waving blue and white balloons, excited for their first Compassion visitors. . .us!

I practiced my limited Spanish along the receiving line:  "Buenos dias" (good morning) before settling down in the church.  There were greetings and introductions, and we were each presented with the gift of a wallet, which was so humbling, coming from people who don't have a lot.  There was also singing and dancing, all for our visit.  We joined their classrooms (kids come to the project a number of times a week, depending on their specific project and age) and served them a snack.

Thanks for taking this picture Robyn!

Before serving lunch, we played games in the courtyard.  When Anita, our translator, asked who wanted to be my partner for the three-legged race, I was swarmed by kids.  But one girl in particular (pictured to the right) grabbed my hand and she didn't let go for most of our time together!  Sorrowfully, we did not win the race but it was nice to find a friend, even though we couldn't speak the same language, we found out that smiles are universal!

Photo:  Stephanie Ross

There were about 250 kids, so serving lunch took some time.  It was so nice to see that they got a substantial meal of potato soup, chicken, rice and vegetables.  After lunch, we had some more time to play before the church service started so we pulled out jumping ropes, nail polish, bubbles, frisbees and sidewalk chalk.  We stayed for part of the church service before they sent us off with prayers - certainly a lump-in-your-throat kind of moment.  An emotionally exhausting day - the first of many this week!

Ecuador - Day 2

Photo:  Sarah Meadows

Thankfully it was not an early start to the day.  After enjoying an amazing buffet breakfast at our hotel (Swissotel), we met for an overview of Ecuador - both the tourist side and the reality that Compassion seeks to address.  Ecuador is divided into 4 regions:  the Galapagos Islands, the coast, the highlands (Andes) and jungle.  Each region has their own unique environment, as well as different social issues.

This trip provided me with travel to my 4th continent and 3rd major mountain range (in the Andes, after the Rockies and Alps).  I was reminded of my previous travels - it felt a lot like Panama (in general and the fact that there were no flushing toilets but rather you placed your toilet paper in garbage bins); Turkey (in that we had to be careful to always use bottled water, even for brushing teeth); and a little like South Africa (in that we were always running a little behind, but not too much!).

After the morning orientation, we packed up to drive down to Riobamba.  We stopped at a local restaurant for lunch (El Cafe de la Vaca Restaurante) and cows were the main theme, as they were very popular in the area.  The trip to Riobamba was not a long one kilometer-wise but it took us about 4 hours to get there, given the traffic and the fact that we were travelling along "The Avenue of the Volcanoes" (more on that to come).

We arrived at Hacienda Abraspungo late Saturday and enjoyed a wonderful meal before bedtime.  If there's one thing that we know already, it's that we will definitely not starve out here.  Compassion (especially the local Ecuadorian staff) have found wonderful accommodations and meals for us to enjoy.  Another thing we already know is that there are a lot of great people on this trip and every meal is an opportunity to learn more about one another.

Ecuador - Day 1

A month ago today I left for Ecuador with the organization Compassion.  There were 30 of us travelling from all across Canada and we met up in Miami, Florida before flying to Quito, Ecuador together.  My last big trip was in 2009 and that was about 9 months - this trip was only 9 days.  I really didn't know what to expect from this Compassion Exposure trip, other than that I would have the chance to meet my sponsor child, Evelyn.

The last month or so of the school year was a difficult time for me.  I had such great classes and students, but was not able to secure a position for September and I found it very disheartening.  One of my personal hopes for the trip was to gain some renewed perspective in life.

As you can see, my view was very much the same all day long.  I had an EARLY flight out of Winnipeg just to make sure that I caught my connection in Toronto.  Most of the group met up in Toronto (some of the group flew out of Calgary).

As we made our descent into Miami, I was reminded of the thing I hate most about travelling. . .it's the travelling!  It was a bumpy 1/2 hour descent before we finally landed on solid ground again.  Thankfully, that was the only issue on all of the flights, both to Ecuador and back (so I really shouldn't complain, but when the plane is bumping around and dropping mid-air, it's just not that much fun!).

It was late by the time we landed in Quito.  Once we collected our luggage and got on the bus, we found out it would be another hour until we got to the hotel.  Not great news for me because I had been up since the wee hours, leaving at 1:15 a.m. to get to the airport (Quito is in the same time zone as home).  By the time my head hit the pillow, after room assignments and the porters delivering our luggage, it was about 24 hours of being awake (with a few little naps on the planes) and I had no problem falling asleep.  With only 8 days left to travel and explore, I knew that I needed my sleep so that I would be ready to go Saturday morning.