I had been living in Quito, Ecuador for about 8 months when I decided to join the Arajuno Road Project as the Project Coordinator. My time in Quito was spent teaching English at a university. I enjoyed my time there, but I needed a change and the Arajuno Road Project was exactly what I needed. Having previously worked in recently formed non-profit-organizations, I wasn’t sure what to expect. But upon arriving, I was immediately impressed with the Project and the progress it had made in just one year of existence. As Project Coordinator, I spent most of my time helping the volunteers lesson plan and teach in the local schools. The Project currently works in three schools teaching English. Despite what some might say is a challenging life due to lack of resources, the kids were always ready to learn with smiles on their faces. For me, the kids made the Project. I will never forget all the times I would arrive at the schools and all the children would come running to meet me. Seeing the kids progress with their English level was exciting, but what gave me the most joy was being able to give them my love and attention. Most of the children come from families with many brothers and sisters and working parents, so I know they enjoyed the little extra attention I was able to give them.

There are three kids in particular that I will never forget. These three kids- Jesus, Alejandro, and Jholao- lived across the road from us under a plastic tarp. For some family reason, the kids didn’t attend school. Almost every afternoon, I would go play with them as they had been left home while their parents went to work on their farm. We would spend our time climbing tress, playing football, painting, or as they say “paseando”. On the days that I couldn’t spend time with them, they would yell to me from across the road “Señorita Erica, ven a jugar”. I will never forget Jholoa’s toothless smile every time he would see me coming over to play. These kids will always hold a special place in my heart and I hope that I impacted their lives in some way or another.

I met some incredible people in the jungle and I can tell you that it was so difficult for me to leave. Spending time seeing how other people live and learning about their lives and culture is something that everyone should experience. I know that the Arajuno Road Project will continue to be successful in the future because unlike many non-profits, the children and the schools are the centerpiece of the Project. The majority of the fees and funding is put directly into the schools in order to benefit the children’s education. As the Project grows, it will have more disposable income to impact the children more.

The jungle and the local people are beautiful and I would recommend this Project full heartedly.

Erica Felker-Kantor