Day 7 - Tour CMT #2, Empanadas, Orientations

This morning began with an Orientation with Judy and Madre Miguel and Padre Juan in the library of the volunteer house. They went through all the rules so that "we don't get on each others nerves" (Padre Juan). Following our orientation, we met Rodolfo for the tour of CMT #2. (There are three locations which the Working Boys Center operates. In Spanish Working Boys Center is El Centro del Muchacho Trabajador, or CMT). The Center were we live is CMT#2 in the Cotocollao neighborhood, CMT#1 is in the downtown of the city or La Marín and the 3rd location is La Gota de Leche).  

We visited the stores operated by the Center first. These are in the lower level of the volunteer house, the beauty salon, restaurant, bakery and furniture store. All the shops are operated as "on the job" training for the students at the Center. The furniture is made in the workshop (taller) by the third year students.

Here is the carpentry shop.

The values of the Center. All the families have to agree to abide by these and they are promoted regularly.

Here is the sewing workshop. There is both a classroom section and the workshop where contracts are accepted for local businesses.

This is beautiful - all the photos over the years.

Following our tour, we went to the cafeteria at CMT#2 to help prepare lunch. We made empanadas de queso (cheese empanadas) and rolls with the huge lump of dough.

 Here's some of the rolled dough.

 Here we are at work.

 Nora and Justin had this huge, very packed crate full of spinach that they had to remove the stems.

 This lady was amazing. She got the dough rolling in both hands and could make balls 6 to 1 of ours.

 Forming the empanadas.

We were going to eat lunch with the children, but couldn't find spoons to use! So we gathered the kids and went to the restaurant for lunch. Everyone ordered, no one paid more than $5 for lunch. 

 Here's the group.

 This is Reece's plate - apanados.

Here is Maria's plate - churrasco.

Following lunch, we had another orientation of the kitchen - set up and clean up for meals. Each group needs to sign up and help with meal prep and clean up afterwards. We split the group into two and they made it happen!