Altruistic student adventurers help kids in Ecuador
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/Misra_Shikha.jpg” caption=”Shikha Misra befriends a child while volunteering in Ecuador. Photo by Global Volunteers.”]Six McMaster University health sciences students recently traveled to Quito, Ecuador, to lend a helping hand to its most vulnerable citizens – children with physical and mental disabilities.
Shikha Misra and Robyn Whitney were among a group of six McMaster students in the Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours) program who recently spent two weeks at Camp Hope, in Ecuador, where a good percentage of the children had physical disabilities, including spina bifida, cerebral palsy, and Down's and Turner Syndrome.
Both students were very keen to travel and participate in educational outreach, and together they sought out other equally enthusiastic classmates. The group decided to work at Camp Hope, which they found through the organization Global Volunteers.
The other McMaster student members of the group were: Stephanie Leung, Vidhi Thakkar, Harman Chaudhry, and Minji Kim.
“When we first arrived we went on a tour of Quito and saw where the children lived,” said Misra. “We were shocked to see the poverty and poor living conditions, but even more surprised that the children were so happy with so little. They were always very affectionate, always wanting to play, with lots of hugs and kisses all the way around.”
The McMaster students assisted the teachers, taught English and entertained the children with piano lessons and painting. Stephanie Leung, one of the students who taught the children music and cared for toddlers said, “I gained the perspective that not everyone lives one lifestyle. This experience has opened my eyes to other ways of living and other living conditions.”
The students discovered that different areas of the world often have very different amenities. “In the town, we really didn't see any special accommodations for children with disabilities,” said Whitney. “There were no buses equipped for wheel chairs or sidewalks with ramps.”
By working with local people, the students gained new insights and perspectives on Ecuadorian people and culture. They also learned a lot about themselves and their own strengths.
Misra brought the lessons she learned home to Canada with her. “Encountering and interacting with the children at Camp Hope was truly an eye opening experience. Witnessing the unique challenges that these children face has put my life into perspective. I plan to educate my friends, family, peers and community about these types of challenges so that gradually we can help others to overcome them.”
Global Volunteers has mobilized almost 13,000 volunteers on human and economic development projects worldwide; assisting people of diverse cultures and promoting cross-cultural understanding since 1984. To learn more about their volunteer vacations abroad or in the U.S., visit www.globalvolunteers.org or call 1 800-487-1074.
