Contributing to the Family Home, by Maria Cornell

The Foundation Padre Damien, known to us as Casa Damien, is a beautiful home for the thirty full time resident inpatients and two hundred out patients who may from time to time have an extended stay.  We spent our first couple of days catching up with old friends and acquainting ourselves with the newer residents.  Any Norte Americano who is a friend of Sr. Annie’s is a friend of the residents – they love us and welcome us as they would welcome family!

The women are very talkative, and willing to share about their lives.  Conversely the men share very little while they play dominoes with unbelievable strategy.  Hansen’s disease, a disfiguring skin disease accompanied by debilitating nerve pain, has separated these individuals from their relatives, they in turn have formed a family at Casa Damien. This family loves one another by listening, supporting, playing, creating, loving, praying, and caring.  There is a sense of hope, peace and joy felt by all upon entering this home.  Sr. Annie is the figurehead and Germania is the administrator of Foundation Padre Damien acting as the matriarchs of the family.  They are helped by Marjorie the accountant, Edgar the facilities manager, Jenny, Lisette and Vicky who prepare three meals a day for the family, Dr. Martinez, nurses, a weekday guard, the male residents who guard in the evenings and on weekends, and Diego the driver who also assists with maintenance.  Our boys cleaned windows, screens, tracks and ceiling fans over three days in the men’s and women’s sections.  The job was thorough and made it possible for the sunshine to enter the rooms. Everyone contributes to keep the family home running smoothly!

Our boys and Sam immediately became part of this family!  Sabrina and I were returning home!  I have felt incredible internal peace and joy since arriving in Ecuador and have really enjoyed living in the moment and getting to know our boys, the residents, staff and volunteers in Guayaquil. 

Reconnecting with the staff at Centro del Muchacho Trabajador has been joyous yet bittersweet as there are many changes currently taking place.

Our boys continue to amaze me with their insights, camaraderie, appreciation, compassion, understanding, and pure joy!

Thank you families for entrusting your young men to our care!

~ Maria

Clausura & Equator, by Chicco Adamo

This morning (yesterday) we were able to sleep in, and in that time we could also start to explore the working boys center. We made our own breakfast and brought our dirty clothes to the laundry so they could be cleaned. Our day truly started when we went to the graduation of the students at the Working Boys Center. Already I could tell that this would be a different experience that at Casa Damian, but I also knew that it would be a good experience nonetheless. The graduation, or clausura, was chaotic and loud, but the point got across. Personally I felt some nostalgia for my own 8th grade graduation. After the graduation we were invited to stay for mass, but this mass was completely different from the one that I was accustomed to back home. It surprised me how distracted most of the students were while the priest was speaking, but when ever a song came on, everyone focused and started singing and dancing.

After mass we ate, picked up our laundry, and set off to do one of the coolest things I’ve ever done in my life. We went to the equator. The bus we took to get there was packed, and I guess that just means that the public transportation is popular in Quito. We went to an open air indigenous museum and got to see houses and other virtues the my bad. It shocked me how incredibly developed the houses were. Our guide explained that they had thermal insulation and were waterproof. I also can’t believe that they eat guinea pigs. I find it disgusting because I once had a guinea pig, but most of the other kids were dying to try it. Finally, we got to see the equator, and got to try a bunch of activities that could only be done there. We tried to walk across the equator in a straight line with our eyes closed, but it was impossible. Overall the equator was really cool and I’m glad I got to see it. Quito and Guayaquil are definitely two complete different places, and not just geographically, but I can’t wait to see what’s in stored here.

Mitad del Mundo

Today, we went to the "clausura," a ceremony to recognize those who were graduating or being promoted to the next grade. Teachers and the year-long volunteers were also honored.

This the soccer field outside of the comeador (the dining room) which is really a multi-purpose room as it houses a kitchen, dining area, ceremonies and Mass. 

Here are some students receiving their diplomas.

And some teachers doing a folk dance.

After the clausura and Mass at 12:00 pm, we ate lunch together, picked up our laundry, then took a city bus to Mitad del Mundo (the middle of the world). The city bus normally drops us off right in front of Mitad, but today, it dropped us off in the pueblo of Mitad del Mundo, then the bus guy pointed in the direction of the museum. We started walking - about 1 mile, uphill, with an altitude of 9500 feet. Needless to say, I needed to rest a few times along the way. 

The Mitad del Mundo museum is the touristy one. It was created by Europeans in the 1700's when they thought they found the equator - they didn't. This site is commercial and expensive, and not really on the equator. However, a several years ago, we discovered the Museo de Intiñan which is an indigenous run museum which is much more culturally sensitive. It also is the site of the "true" equator at 0'0'0'.

 Here's the boys at the entrance.

We had an excellent tour guide, named Diego who had a sense of humor and shared the culture with us. 

Sam straddling the northern and southern hemispheres.

Diego explaining about the "penis fish." Ask your boys about this one!

Señor Jose, a weaver who works the souvenir shop.

Travel & Orientations

Wednesday, June 27th we flew to Quito from Guayaquil. Germania, Nathan, Ishmael and Jocelyn came to the airport with us to help us navigate check in and baggage drop. We got to our gate with a few minutes to spare, so the boys bought some food for the flight.

The flight was totally uneventful and we were only in the air for 33 minutes.

Upon our arrival in Quito, the chaperones and some girls from Xavier High School in Phoenix were there to greet us. Osvaldo came to pick us up in the CMT (El Centro del Muchacho Trabajador - in English we call it the "Working Boys Center") bus. Incidentally, the girls from  Xavier are the only girls here! There are two other groups; one from Fordham Prep and another from St. Peter's Prep. Chaperones from those groups are old friends from our previous trips, which is kinda fun.

Caitlin McGuire, the new community outreach/group coordinator was here at the volunteer house to greet us. After we unloaded the bus, we were given the keys to our rooms. Benjamin, Ryan M., Chicco, and Charlie are rooming together again, and Ryan T., and the two Brendan's are rooming together again as well.

We had a brief house orientation, then Caitlin went over our schedule with Sam, Maria and I. Later, we got a kitchen/food prep orientation, then got to make our name tags.  In between, Rodolfo gave us a tour of the CMT school and the talleres (the workshops). In recent years, because of some financial difficulties, the CMT has had to close some of the technical training workshops. There used to be 7, now there are four that remain; beauty shop, sewing, auto mechanics and carpentry. It used to be that they were segregated by sex as well, but now, both boys and girls can choose any of the four programs.

Rodolfo explaining the CMT's 10 values.

The boys making their name tags. Judy started a competition. We'll vote on the best one on July 3rd, then the winner will get a prize.

Despedida

Tuesday, June 26th we had the despedida, a farewell party at Damien House. A succession of patients presented gifts to us. Gifts of handmade crafts, but most importantly, gifts of their hearts. Words expressed how grateful they were for our visit. I cried the whole time in recognition that I would not be back for two years and that during that time some would return to God and I wouldn’t see them again. All expressed their thanks to God for us, for our safe journey, and hopes that we would return. Many reminded us that the doors of the foundation would always be opened for us and we can come visit anytime. Following the patients presentations, each of our boys expressed their gratitude for our time in Guayaquil at Damien House. 

Immediately following the despedida, Germania asked us to help the ladies get back to their home. I walked Elvia and her mother, Manuelita back. When I returned to the men’s side, Etilo was there talking with Maria and Nathan. Maria had reminded him that we had first met him years ago with his wife. He played and she sang for us. She died about 5 years ago and Sr. Annie asked him to come live at Damien House so that he wouldn't be alone. When I arrived, Etilo literally jumped up in the air. He said that Sr. Annie keeps telling him not to jump because she is worried that he will hurt himself. But he explained that he was so happy to see me. He has the most innocent and beautiful spirit. 

Following the despedida, we enjoyed our last lunch. “Italian food” inspired by Sr. Annie and prepared by the ladies. 

 The statue of Simón Bolivar and Jose San Martín who are credited with victory over the Spanish and gaining independence for the people of South America.

The ferris wheel on the Malecón is modeled after the "London Eye" but is much smaller. It takes 15 minutes to go around. Two years ago when we were here, this was just being built. 

After lunch, we went to the Malecón. The Malecón is a boardwalk that runs along the Guayas River. There are many family activities and the air is much cleaner and cooler near the water. We started at the statue of San Martín and Bolivar and walked to the end. At the end of the Malecón, there is a light house on top of a hill with stairs leading up to it. The boys, Nathan, Jocelyn and Ishmael walked to the top of the stairs. There are 455 stairs that lead to the light house. The view is phenomenal. Maria, Charlie and I sat in a cafe on ten corner which had a beautiful, cool breeze and watched highlights of the Argentina v. Nigeria game. 

The canons at the head of Las Peñas. These protected the city from pirates during colonial times.

A marker for Las Peñas.

The view from the art gallery. Enlarge the photo to see the iguanas.

Once the others returned, we walked through Las Peñas, the remainder of the historic city of Guayaquil - now an artist community. There was a beautiful art gallery with open windows overlooking the river. There were even iguanas in the trees outside! 

After walking through Las Peñas, we came upon an upscale neighborhood with hotels and restaurants called Puerto Santa Ana.

Following our walking tour, we returned to the hostel to shower. At 5:30, Diego, Germania, Nathan, Ishmael, and Jocelyn picked us up for dinner. We went to a restaurant where we enjoyed Ecuadorian food for our last meal in Guayaquil. 

Contrast, by Ryan McAfee

Contrast 

Shopping malls

And cane houses.

Contrast.

Razor sharp contrast.

It makes you think.

New cars

And old bicycles.

Contrast.

Bone chilling contrast. 

It makes you feel.

Water for decoration

And water to live.

Contrast.

Ugly, horrible contrast.

It forces you to believe.

Never stop thinking.

That’s when problems have no solutions.

Never stop feeling.

That’s when the oppressed are forgotten.

And never stop believing,

Because that’s when the contrast becomes permanent.

El Rincon

Today, we had the unique opportunity to visit a neighborhood which is about 1 hour outside of Guayaquil called, El Rincon. There are about 300 people living in this village which has no running water, no wifi signal, no paved roads and little electricity. El Rincon, despite the primitiveness, was beautiful.

Here is what the countryside looked like. 

This community is connected with the Fundacion because there is a high rate of Hansen's disease patients living there. The community is made up of rice farmers. Rice is grown in stagnant water. In order to plant the rice, men stay in the water in more than knee high water. Because of their weakened immune systems due to poor nutrition and lack of rest, Hansen's disease spreads in the community rapidly. The connected between Damien House and this community is through a woman named, Teresita. She is the mother of four. She and three of her children have Hansen's disease. Once diagnosed, she became an advocate for the community and has worked with Germania and Sr. Annie to get doctors to come to the community and regular medical care for her neighbors. Women are mostly confined to their homes, but Teresita's husband has allowed her to become a leader in the community. We were welcomed by her, her children and grandchildren and neighbors. 

We've never visited this community before. Above is an example of a typical home in this neighborhood. The blue drums are used for water. A water truck comes by once a week to deliver potable water which is used for bathing, cooking and cleaning. There were tons of animals - dogs, pigs, chickens, turkey's and ducks roaming freely.

This community has a small school with three classrooms. There are about 60 children who attend the school from age three to 7th level (which is about age 9).  After that, if the family can afford it, the children can go to the collegio (high school), but few, if any, will go to universidad (college). The school is kept nice and clean by the families whose children attend. 

After seeing the school, one of Teresita's sister-in-laws welcomed us into her home and made us empanadas. They were super yummy and different than any empanada I had every eaten. 

Following our treat, the community invited our boys to the soccer field to play a game against the local jovenes (young men). Below is Maria walking with Teresita.  

Upon our arrival back at the Fundacion, we had lunch - fried fish, rice, lentils and salad with patacones. Following lunch, the boys cleaned the fans in the women's and men's buildings while Maria and I helped the ladies with their sewing project.

Nathan will be returning to Philadelphia (his home town) on July 4th. Following that, he will be doing 3 mission co-op appeals for Sr. Annie. The first in Fort Wayne, Indiana, next San Diego, then in Saratoga on August 18-19. Sr. Annie will still not be able to travel so Nathan has agreed to take these dates as she had already agreed to speak in these parishes. (Carmella Huser, Brendan P.'s grandmother will also be speaking in Saratoga). I woud love for our group to visit Nathan during the weekend of August 18-19 and support Carmella! I will organize this when we get home!

Mercedes and Ester sewing.

Because of these speaking engagements, Nathan is planning to take these butterflies with him. The ladies asked for help making these today, so Maria and I jumped into the "sewing clatch" to help. We kept joking that the Americans were making Ecuadorian butterflies. Here's the one I made. I started another one that I hope to finish tomorrow.

Here's a selfie with Sr. Luz. She has a face and voice like an angel.

At 4:00 pm today, the Rotary Club from La Puntilla (a wealthy area right outside of Guayaquil) donated a freezer to the Damien House and came to present it formally to the Fundacion. Here they are accepting it. Germania is on the left.

For dinner tonight, we made grilled ham and cheese or turkey and cheese sandwiches at the hostel. We bought chifles (plantain chips) and yuca chips with tomate de arboles and bananas for the kids.

Patients or Family? by Brendan P. Smith

     Last night I took some time to reflect on the week. I remembered asking Sabrina at lunch on Saturday about why she decides to come back to Ecuador every other year instead of going to a new place each time. She told me that every single time she has gone to Ecuador she feels like she is at home. Over the last couple of days I've spent at the Damien House, I've started to understand why Sabrina feels this way. Everyone at the Damien House welcomed us into their home and made us comfortable. Whenever I walk past someone they say hola or buenos dias with a huge smile on their face. Every day I always get excited to see the patients and their beautiful smiles. I am beginning to feel at home at the Damien House. I felt at home playing dominos with Maximo. I felt at home when we had dinner with the women. The positive energy of the women at the table really made me feel joy even with the language barrier. I feel like I am at home with my second family.

    

     Another thing I realized last night was how well I was getting along with the patients. A few nights ago during a reflection I remembered Sam saying that when he was with the patients, like when he was playing dominos with the men or even just seeing their joyful faces when walking in to the Damien House, he forgets that these people have Hanson's disease. When Sam said this I realized that I forgot that the patients had a disease. When I play dominos with the patients, I forget that my opponent has Hanson’s disease because I am too focused on how fun the game is with these amazing people. Last night, I realized how great these patients actually are. These people have to deal with a terrible disease every day yet they still manage to be happy. I admire these patients so much and hope I can be more like them. 

     For the past 2 days, a group of the boys and I helped clean the windows and screens throughout Damien House. At the time, I thought the work was tedious and boring. Last night looking back on the work, I realized I should have not seen it as tedious. I should have been excited to do the work that gives a very small contribution to the wonderful patients and staff. I want to help the patients any way I can after they put a smile on my face when dealing with a disease. I hope that I help the patients as much as I can before I leave because they truly are amazing people. 

     

Sunday in Ecuador

Today, we met for breakfast at 7:30 am, as usual. Diego picked us up at 8:15 am to head to the Cathedral in Guayaquil for Mass. There is Mass on Sunday’s every hour on the hour, at 7:00 am, 8, 9, 10, etc. all the way until 5:00 pm. We arrived about 20 minutes early so decided to visit the iguana park before rather than after Mass.

The park is filled with iguanas, turtles and fish in ponds. They hang out in the trees so you have to be careful that they don’t fall on you or poop on you. The boys took to calling this “the splash zone” and avoided the tree branches all together.

Mass was lovely. Of course it was entirely in Spanish, but still lovely. They begin Masses with intentions, then as usual. At the end of Mass, we walked aroun

d a bit to see some of the statues and shrines that were present. They have a beautiful area dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of the Americans and St. Narisa and St. James (Santiago), the patron of Guayaquil. We didn’t have much time since the next Mass was about to begin so left.

Diego was waiting in the van for us. He dropped us off at the Hostal so that we could change into work clothes. Then we walked back to the Foundation for our work project. Today, the boys are cleaning all the screens and windows of the men’s section with Diego and Charlie (the maintenance staff. Edgar has the day off today).

We had yucca and green plantain tortillas for snack today. The yucca tortillas were very yummy – it was the first time I had had them. Following our snack, Maria and I played dominos with Ramon and Leon. Ramon won, of course!

While we were playing, Nathan asked Maria and I to help the women (Lisette and Jenny) in the kitchen making salad for lunch. They had made puree de papas (mashed potatoes) and pollo rostado (roast chicken) for lunch along with the salad. Brendan E. had 4 servings!

When everyone had finished eating, Germania told us her story. She has worked here for 23 years – helping to organize Sr. Annie and manage the foundation. She will eventually take over when Sr. Annie retires.

When the boys finish the windows this evening, we’ll go back to the hostal for showers, then out to dinner at the food court at the Mall. Diego, Jocelyn, Nathan and Germania will accompany us.