A team of Illinois State University students, faculty, and staff is starting the summer with a service trip May 11-20 to Ecuador through Alternative Breaks.
Coordinated by the university’s Center for Civic Engagement, the Alternative Summer Break experience gives Redbirds the opportunity to take part in various service projects to help meet the needs of a community.
The team this summer—including 11 students, two staff, and one faculty member—is first volunteering at a preschool in Quito, where they will plant a garden, create a large mural, and paint the schoolyard with playful designs. During the final days of the trip, the team will travel to Yungilla, about 54 miles northwest of Quito. There, the students will learn about Yungilla’s transition to an eco-tourism economy and take part in a conservation project. The trip includes a myriad of other experiences that will enhance the students’ understanding of the local environment, culture, and history of Ecuador.
Illinois State University Photographer Shea Grehan joined the group of Redbirds to volunteer as a trip advisor and to document the service efforts. Follow this story for updates as Grehan shares photos and testimony from the team’s experience in Ecuador.
May 12—Connecting with the community
After getting settled in Quito, the group started the day by visiting a preschool overlooking the city where they will be completing projects throughout the week. The Redbirds spent time playing with the children and getting to know staff at the school. In the afternoon, the group went shopping for project materials, including paint, brushes, and markers. They also purchased items for the school, like craft supplies, toiletries, and toys.
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Julia Perez
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