Cotacachi, Ecuador Expats Give Back to Community #WATWB
It is the last Friday of the month, which means it is time for the We Are The World Blogfest when we bring you positive stories from around the world. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Shilpa Garg, Inderpreet Uppal, Sylvia Stein, Susan Scott, Andrea Michaels and Damyanti Biswas. Please visit their blogs for more positive stories.
Ecuador Expats Giving Back to Community
Introducing Micky Enright, an 81 year old long time Ecuador expat from the United States, who opened the doors to Lugar de Esperanza in Cotacachi, Ecuador three years ago. She and her volunteers provide breakfast, medical care, baths, and changes of clothing to senior citizens who have limited resources.
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| Photo courtesy of El Comercio newspaper |
The majority of the 14 volunteers are from the United States and Canada. The dining room is an old school building and has a capacity of 60 people. In a garden behind the building, vegetables are grown to be included in meals.
The beneficiaries, on the other hand, come from Kichwa communities such as Tunibamba, Piava San Pedro, El Cercado, Alambuela, Colimbuela, San José or San Miguel. “We have received people from 12 communities,” explains Fred Hosea, the only volunteer who is fluent in Spanish and who assumes the role of translator.
Micky is known affectionately as Ñuka Mamaku (mi mamita in Spanish or my little mom in English) by beneficiaries of the dining room.
An English translation of the full article can be found here and the original Spanish article here. Thanks to David Sasaki who pointed out this article to me.
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Emily Bloomquist
I am a US Expat in Ecuador. I grew up on a Minnesota farm, worked in IT in California's Silicon Valley, then moved to a coastal Ecuador fishing village. My goal is to share Ecuador with you, one snippet at a time. Topics include attractions, compassion, ecotourism, Ecuador products, everyday Ecuador, and flora and fauna. Please let me know what you would like to read more about!
18 Comments
Eric Lahti
Just goes to show, you're never too old to do some good.
Emily Bloomquist
Absolutely Eric, I agree!
Hilary Melton-Butcher
Hi Emily – how lovely to read about Micky and her help that she's offering some members of the community – and wonderful that they have fresh vegetables and fruits from the garden … bet they enjoy helping with that too … thanks for letting us know about these volunteers – cheers Hilary
Emily Bloomquist
I love the fresh garden food idea, too. Thanks so much for stopping by as always Hilary.
Shilpa Garg
This is such a wonderful initiative of serving the poor and needy, and giving them a life a dignity and respect. More power to Micky Enright and his team! Thanks for sharing this inspiring story, Emily 🙂
Emily Bloomquist
Thanks, Shilpa, I agree – what a wonderful initiative.
Deborah Weber
What a beautiful story, and kudos to Micky and the team of volunteers providing such services that help nurture and support those in most need.
Emily Bloomquist
Thanks Deborah!
Lynda Dietz
Micky sounds like a wonderful lady who understands the needs around her. They must love her a lot to have nicknamed her "little mama."
Emily Bloomquist
I hope to meet her someday. We have some mutual friends so it may happen. Thanks, Lynda, for stopping by.
Michelle Wallace
An 81 year old doing such amazing work? She can teach the youngsters a thing or two…
What a heart-warming post!
Writer In Transit
Emily Bloomquist
She sure could teach a lot of us a thing or two 🙂 Thanks Michelle!
Damyanti
At 81, she’s doing more than folks half her age.
Thanks for sharing her story, Emily.
Emily Bloomquist
She sure is, Damyanti. Thanks!
Susan Scott
Most wonderful – I agree with an earlier comment by Michelle that this 81 year old little mama with the biggest heart can teach the younger one a thing or 3! Great post thank you!
Emily Bloomquist
She sure could! Thanks Susan!
Arti Jain
Such a beautiful story Emily. Thank you for sharing.
Emily Bloomquist
Thank you Arti!