Rotary Proyectos

This Saturday, My grandpa and I went to a Rotary event at a hotel here in Guayaquil. Every year, every Rotary club has a "Proyecto" (project), where they raise money for a problem that is happening in Ecuador. My club has 2 proyectos this year. The first one is to supply 40 computers to a poor school who can't afford them in a town a few hours away, and the second proyecto is build storage units for clean water in the poorest part of Ecuador where their closest water source is miles away that they must walk to. There were about 9 different clubs there all presenting their proyectos, and over 20 Rotarians from all over America ,none from Vermont :(, to learn about the proyectos and share the projects they are working on back in the US. Everyone at the event was over 60 years, except for 2 other girls and myself. This sounds like it could be a very boring event for a 17 year to have to sit through for hours on a beautiful saturday, but it was actually a lot of fun! I got to talking to a lot of the Americans there and sharing with them about my experience as an exchange student in Ecuador, and even met someone from Canada who visits Burlington, VT every month! I also talked to some Rotarians from other parts of Ecuador, and found that it wasn't too hard for me to carry out a conversation in only spanish for a long period of time. I'm getting better! One couple I talked to for about 30 seconds, but they invited me on a trip to Banos. The direct translation in english is bathrooms, but it is a place in the mountains to go rafting, swim in waterfalls, and go bungy jumping! One of the things I love most about Ecuador is how after talking to someone for less than a minute, they are inviting you to their home just to show you more of the country they love.

I also met a 23 year old girl from Ecuador, who is in Rotaract, which is basically being a Rotarian, just for people ages 18-30, so it is a little less intense, but Rotaracts have events like the Proyects, and get to go to conferences all over the world. After talking to her for a while I realize that Rotaract would be a perfect idea for my Grad Challenge when I come back for senior year!