After a travel day, longer for some, we all made it back from service placements to the Fundación Cofán. Here is Nina collecting journals and essays. The students went and spent one final night with their Quito families catching up on their stories from their last 6 weeks on service. On our way to our retreat weekend we stopped by Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World monument just north of Quito.)Solomon, Ebtihal and Lily. Can you find the yellow equator line in the background?Amanda and YadiraEl Refugio in Calacalí was where we spent our final retreat weekend together. Each student presented their action-research project that they did over the 6 week service time. Here is Daniel directing a cheese race between Amanda and Ebtihal. Ebtihal’s presentation involved getting us up and dancing!Yadira and Ebtihal working in the morning sun.To supplement our reflection and discussion times we got outside and did several fun team building and outdoor activities together on Saturday morning. Lily getting ready for the giant swing. Everyone pulled you up, but the release is by your own hand. Students did word clouds to represent their time in Ecuador.As a way to help begin the processing of the SST experience, Nina led weekend workshop and activities designed around a ‘telling your story series’ theme. Sunday evening students shared with the group their latest (ever evolving) draft of their SST story. Saying Goodbye! Early morning in the airport, ready to come home!
