free schooling with a free breakfast and lunch each day, the parents of the children can be persuaded to allow the children to study rather than work. Some of the parents want their children to go to school but simply can't afford it, while others enjoy the economic benifits of having working children. However, ultimately the organisation works to prevent the children from working and provide them instead with a safe and loving environment to learn and grow, as the name 'Crecer' suggests.When I arrived here in Ecuador and at the Foundation I barely spoke a word of Spanish. I found it difficult to be of use in a place where I could barely communicate, let alone run an activity or teach a class, however, the kids didn't seem to mind, they fought for and enjoyed the affection and attention that I could give them.
Some time past and two other volunteers and I decided we were ready to teach english and dance classes. Two mornings a week we taught our own small english classes, and
had an hour a week with two of the classes to teach our version of Michael Jackson dances. (The kids were obsessed with Michael Jackson, along with the rest of Ecuador after he died.)
It came time for the Christmas concert and allthough we feared it wouldn't happen, the show was fantastic and most of all the were so proud to show their dance skills to who ever showed up to see them. This day was very special for us because although at times it had been extremely frustrating, we understood what it was all about.
This is a link to Thriller, performed by the younger of the two groups.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mXnXpgbcYqQ
This is a link to Beat it, performed by the older group.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RR2mL1IzHA
The last months have been a mix of time off school and relaxed activities at the school before starting the new school year in April but before they do that, the month of March is the time for Operacion Amistad of which this blog will recount each day.
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