Caroline Pocockecuador 2011
Progress and perspective
March 9, 2011
Nothing makes me happier than when a dozen of my elementary school students stampede me with arms flung open wide, eyebrows raised in full excitement, puddles splashing every which way, screaming “Carito! Carito!” It’s in these moments that I remember why I come to school every day.
There’s no doubt that my exotic white complexion had a lot to do with their initial attraction to me, but now I finally feel like I’ve made a solid connection with each one of my students. I feel the same sense of comfort and belonging here in the school as I did in…
And if he told you to jump off a bridge, would you do that too?
February 9, 2011
What is it that gives us the courage to take a risk when it seems that every rational thought in our heads would convince us to do otherwise? We can almost deceive ourselves into doing something we’re not totally comfortable doing. Hopefully, we push ourselves for the better- to accomplish a high-set goal or to expand our boundaries. But, in every trying situation, we’re forced to silence that doubtful voice in the back of our heads and fake a little confidence, even when we don’t necessarily believe it.
This is something that I was accustomed to doing at home. I…
Teaching English in Zuleta
January 31, 2011
Here is a short video of me teaching English to a third grade class at the public elementary school in Zuleta, where I have my apprenticeship.…
Read the rest »Applying principles of “good” development
January 28, 2011
The media wants us to believe that making a positive impact on the world is as easy as writing a check to that organization with the commercial that makes us all tear up. But, as a culmination of several discussions and my own observations here, I’m realizing that social impact is much more like a complicated business than it is a simple, heartfelt gesture. Just like a business, several decisions have to be made, each affecting the efficiency of the process and the value of the outcome. The two most obvious questions are “who are you going to help?” and…
Read the rest »Utterly Delicious
January 9, 2011
One of my most recent escapades introduced me to the wonderfully simple dynamics of small-town business. Two girls I know invited me to go with them to their grandfather’s house to collect the milk. At the time I had no idea what it was for, but I was dying to get out and see more so I graciously accepted. The trek wasn’t easy on my carb-infused, exercise-deprived body, but the breathtaking view of the countryside was well worth it. We walked about forty-five minutes through some trails, then straight up the side of a mountain until we met a petite,…
Read the rest »Ready or not, here I go!
November 15, 2010
I had been in this tiny indigenous community for less than a week when I arrived at the elementary school, eager to begin the first day of my apprenticeship. I was a little anxious about the fact that I hadn’t the slightest clue as to what I was going to be doing, but faithfully optimistic nonetheless.
This was only the second time I had met with my advisor, the director of the school here in Zuleta, Señor Moya. Our first encounter over our welcome lunch, while filled with several entertaining exchanges about food and the weather, didn’t yield much clarification…
Identity
October 27, 2010
At eighteen years young, I feel as though I’ve been through enough in my life thus far to acquire some sort of identity, as scattered and temporary as it may be. I can confidently say at the very least that I’m learning more about the person I do and don’t want to be with every success and mistake in my life. I know enough about myself today to be able to appreciate the characteristics that make me unique, that help me to convey the most essential aspects of my being at any given moment. But, since I’ve been thrust into…
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