LITERACY

During this period that we have been teaching our students, we lived different experiences with them, who decided to embark on this journey of learning in a very enthusiastic way. At first it was a little complicated to people who would like to participate in our ‘Literacy Program for Adults and Young People’, because some of them didn’t want to, had work or do other activities, but finally after searching and looking for people we made it, and it’s very satisfying to realized that all your effort and patient was rewarded with smiles and the happiness of them. The most important thing we needed to know in order to start our journey was to have clear about what was motivating them to come to class, and also the reasons they decided to enroll in the literacy program; if we had clear those points, the we will know how to get to them and teach them. Patience played an important role for the development of all the activities, you had to support and treat them well so as to get their confident in their selves and with us, letting them know you’re there to help them improve in everything. On the other hand, also the group activities we did were really interesting, funny and relaxing, and in that way we spend a little of our time sharing especial moments, leaning each other name playing with a ball, group dynamics or just talking about things they really matter about. Each one of them, has a especial room in our hearts and life, because we learnt more of them, than they of us; in one way or another they touched our lives and changed them, because how we use lo see the world become different, they opened our eyes and we could see the real things that are going on, the problems they have to face, and we felt thankful for all the things we’ve got so far; specially I learnt to be more sensible and I do appreciate all my students, each one has singular qualities that make them exceptional men and women, they showed us that it doesn’t matter at what point of your life you decide to do something, it only depends on the effort and dedication you put, so you will obtain very good results, more than what you expected, is in our hands to improve and keep walking, to continue, to move on, and it doesn’t matter the problems we have to face, everything is possible is you trust in yourself, having faith too. They took advantage of all the subjects, their curiosity is satisfied now, because they do not only learn science, math, history, language, they understood where do we come from, and what’s like to be an Ecuadorian, proud of our beautiful country, to and improve their health, way of living, to protect the environment and help to keep it clean and green. Dialogues or conversations with them, was simply amazing, the attention paid by the people, the interest they put, the desire to learn more, gave me the strength to continue without breaking down, although the process was difficult and laborious, it was not impossible, and we made it. Along the way we had many obstacles, sometimes difficult, the goal seemed unreachable, but there was always a way out, or an explanation that will lead us to another door to meet the target of the day. But the good times, replace difficult ones, truly it was worth, smiles on the faces, the satisfaction of the work done, eyes shining with hope on a better future, a dream came true and a better present for them.
Small details are what give life a little fun and they definitely took us too many, unexpected surprise. Imagination, creativity, strength, joy, patience, kindness, jokes, work, anxiety, smiles, letters, numbers, are some of the words that describe this whole experience that will leave much more than a grade on our report, a whole collection of memories, helping others, giving an important contribution to the development of our country, because we all belong to this nation, and together we change it and turn it into something new and better, free, and different, better for everyone.

Lupinus, Chocho, Lupino, Tarwi.... Delicious

Well a few weeks ago we were told to investigate about a seed, native in the highlands of Peru, Ecuador and Bolivia. Also lupinus has relevance in the gastronomy of these countries since pre-Hispanic times; it is known for the high amounts of proteins, minerals and vitamins it contains; it also has nutritional benefits for humans and animals. It’s scientific name is lupininae, recently studies revel that lupinus could be the possible soybean substitute. The other names for this leguminous plant are: altramuz, chocho, lupín o lupino, the seed is called tarwi too. During the activities we make, related to the lupinus, we had to answer the questions of a sampler, while we were doing the activity of the webpage, we learn more about chochos; an interesting and curious thing we found is a disease of this plant, anthracnose, is caused by a wide range of organisms, including bacteria, mycoplasmas and viruses. 154. Anthracnose, caused by Colletotrichum lupini is the disease that causes more damage in lupins around the world, the disease came from Europe, and the need to prevent the growing of anthracnose-infected ornamental lupins is discussed all around the world.

Since we discovered what was going out with the seeds which have the disease, our teacher showed us chocho seeds which had anthracnose and ones who haven’t got the disease, then we brought the material necessary to create something with both seeds, this second activity was really interesting because each group created such amazing and wonderful thing that I enjoyed a lot, with my partner we decided to create a kind of card, the drawing was nice, it was a beach and Donald Duck and Daisy were watching the sunset together, the experience we shared made me realize that during your life in high school you live special moments with your friends, moments that will be written in the pages of your memories.

The third and the funniest thing we did was the recipe, each group brought the materials that were necessary to prepare the recipe and share with some friends the different plates we obtain from chocho seeds, my group prepared “Chochos with Tostado”, the ingredients we used were tomato, lemon, salt, and of course the principal ingredient was the lupines, these ingredients were put all together (the tomato was cut out into small pieces and put on the bowl were the lupines were, then we squeezed the lemon and put salt, and of course the complement, tostado). During the activity we taste different recipes that were really good, delicious, so we ate healthy that day!

MY FAVORITE PLACES

I have many favorite places, especially if there; I can find peace with myself and breathe fresh air, dreams and thoughts. One of my favorite place is the Ilaló hill, I love going there with my friends and cousins, especially in a sunny and shinny day, walking uphill I feel like I’m going to reach the highest cloud of the sky, on the top of the hill, while you’re climbing the Crouse, your eyes can’t see any better and beautiful landscape all around you, having relaxing moments, full of positive energy that runs all through your body. Another reason I enjoy going there is because nature inspires and encourage me to support ideas that can help to make this world a better place to live, making helpful changes in many fields; or while I’m laying down watching the blue sky I think about my own ideas that can produce a big change in society, of course in a good way. If we want to benefit from the long walk uphill, we have to set off early, in order to spend the most wonderful hours of the day up there, reaching the top of the hill around twelve o’clock, I always take with me, in my backpack plastic bags to pick up garbage that pollute the earth and produce big damages to nature, our nature. Besides I get really upset and disappointed when I found that all my efforts to clean up have disappeared when I come back the next time and found again: cans, plastic bottles and other kind of rubbish everywhere, unfortunately I have noticed that people do not care about the environmental problems we are living nowadays, but despite of that, I will still clean green areas so as to protect them, hoping that someday, the next time I go there, surprisingly I won’t find any garbage because people have finally understood, but am I dreaming? Well maybe but when I go there I’m exercising too, so you couldn´t find such a lovely place to share unforgettable moments, far from the noise and pollution of the city.

The beach, is just an amazing place where you could spend your whole life; sand, sea, sun, what else could we ask for? I really ,really like going to the beach, usually I go there on vacations, I have a lot of fun and one of the reasons the beach is my favorite place is because there I spent hours and hours reading, listening to the sound of the sea, laying down on the sand just thinking about: anything. Is only the beach; with the sea and the sky, and you in the middle of them; is nice and wonderful watching the sunrise or the sunset sitting on the sand admiring the spectacular miracle of nature, I do not have words to describe why the beach is my favorite place in the whole world, besides that, you can only feel the purpose of your life when the air touches softly you face and body, and you smile to yourself. I always will enjoy the beach, having fun and playing in the sand looking for the sea of green, in the land of submarines…