Weekly Update - November 16, 2009
Hello friends and family!
Another week has passed in Quito and, as usual, it has been full of activity.
The rolling black-outs (that would be a great name for a band…) continue. Until the rains begin, our hydro-electric damns won’t work, and it still isn’t raining. We have an average of four hours without electricity daily, which should continue until about April (or longer, if the rains don’t start). The black-outs occur at all times of the day, which means that they sometimes happen during the school day. While the school has a generator, it isn’t strong enough to power everything in the school at the same time. This means that those of us that can spend most of the day without turning on any electrical appliance, so that the classrooms that require the electricity (like Rick’s graphic design classes) have enough electricity to power their computers. There have been several days where Rick was unable to teach his classes, because the computers would not work. While the students don’t seem to mind the extra study halls, it doesn’t bode well for the completion of the yearbook if they are not able to get back to work soon.
Another side effect of the black outs is that the street lights are often out in very busy parts of the city. Also, the traffic lights go out. This means that crime is on the rise, since many of the restaurants and clubs have generators, so they are open. But, when people leave the restaurant or club, they are often mugged while on their way home. While the police are showing a much stronger presence, especially in the area of managing traffic in the absence of traffic lights, the delays and traffic-jams are pretty spectacular!
This last weekend was Alliance Academy’s 80th Anniversary. There was an after-school assembly on Friday afternoon, attended by students, staff and guests. Many former alumni and former teachers came to Quito to help us celebrate, too. Saturday’s celebrations started at 2:30pm with games for the elementary students on the soccer field, included a concert by the school’s Jazz Band, and ended with a ‘castillo’ (a tower of fireworks) from the roof of the dorms.
Rick and I have signed up to help with Extreme Response’s ‘Zambiza Dump Party’. This is the annual Christmas part at one of the local garbage dumps. There are large populations of people who live in and around the garbage dumps. Some glean all of their possessions (and sustenance) from the garbage there. Some travel significant distances daily to jobs that pay only $50-$60 a week, often leaving their children unsupervised and unprotected throughout the daytime in the dump. Extreme Response is a ministry that has started up daycares and preschools in this environment, so that these children are able to receive some TLC and some education. The Christmas party will be a day of games for the kids, a meal, and the handing out of gifts. Last year 2000 people attended the party, but another 2000 had to be turned away for lack of space/food/gifts. Rick has agreed to serve as their photographer for the day. I am not sure what role I will play, but will see where they need me once we get there.
This week wraps up the first quarter of school. Teachers are busy with grades and most students have a look of stress on their faces. I think we will all be happy when the week is over and we can get back to the daily routine of teaching and learning.
Well, friends, that is all I can think of to write for now. Thank you again for remembering us in your prayers. God continues to use, teach, and mold us. While the process is rarely comfortable, it is often rewarding and always worthwhile.
May God bless and keep you always,
Rachel Sams
