The Celebración was preceded by hours, and months for that matter, of organization, bringing back supplies such as water balloons and face paint from the US, and walking all over advertising for the big day. Our preparation even entailed recruiting visitors from the states to spend precious Ecuador vacation time making large banners to hang at local organizations...Thanks Laura! Despite the usual pre-event advertising and organization, I was responsible for coordinating with a local radio station, SuperK, with whom Manna has a very close relationship, to advertise our event on air. Since December, Oswaldo from SuperK has been making short 20 second advertisements on air with the promise that we would come into the station in January to be interviewed about the event. Since I have been to the station twice before, once with our teen camp this past summer and the other to promote our Health Clinic in August, I was the one heading to the station last Friday, on nerves, to be interviewed. Accompanied by Jackie, Oswaldo introduced me and said a little background info about the station's history with Manna and from there interview took off. He asked me about Manna, where we work, what we do, how the culture here is different and how we are liking it, how Manna gets its money and support to work down here, and of course about out upcoming Celebration. Amidst all the business talk, he of course didn't fail to ask if I had an Ecuadorian boyfriend and as I responded "no", he made the announcement that I will be handing out cards at the Celebration for those interested! ha. He also mentioned my personal blog and ask about the soccer team we were playing on and what position I played. I mentioned that Jackie also played and though she had bowed out of speaking on the radio, Oswaldo asked her what position she played and if she liked it and Jackie, thinking he asked what she would be doing at the Celebration, responded: "I'm doing musical chairs!" hahah. Needless to say that is the joke around the house right now, but I reassured Jackie that the listeners just got a glimpse of how fun and entertaining we are and would want to come to the Celebration even more! :) So, all-in-all the interview lasted about 25 minutes or so and we definitely got across to some of our community members as one lady mentioned her hearing us on the radio that morning! Success!
During the actual Celebration, we had a local DJ playing music, the Ministry of Health had a booth with current health issues, the local credit and earnings coop, as well as local venders selling food. We had games for kids including a water balloon toss, face paint (and let me tell you I'm pretty darn good a painting whiskers now), balloon animals, egg races, and soccer. For adults, we had a recipe/food sampling table (which I spent hours before the event preparing the food), soccer, a sample Women's Exercise class in which for that day only men were invited, and of course dancing and entertainment. I was the "ringmaster" of the event in that on numerous occasions I had to get on the loud speaker and made announcements about upcoming games and activities and library tours. Loud speaker talking in front of many people....yikes. But hey what's life without a little humility right?
All-in-all the event was a huge success with many new community members coming to see what Manna and the library have to offer and spend some time with neighbors and family. It was really awesome to take a step back yesterday and see the number of families and children that had come to enjoy the day with us. Amidst all the chaos and stress, it is very easy to forget why we are here doing what we do and that even though we may not be as successful in all aspects of what we do, it is the little things that are really making a difference to these people and communities. Many people overlook this and get wrapped up in the bigger picture and forget to appreciate what they have accomplished thus far. Our library has really grown in the past few months and we have so many upcoming new programs about to start...that is something we really need to be proud of. I have learned so much being around this culture and these communities. Who can resist faces likes these....
Me and the Future Champion Flosser of Ecuador!
(See my first guest blog on the MPI blog!)
Whatever you do don't drop the egg!
Community members checking out what the
Ministry of Health booth has to offer!
Passing along delicious and nutritious food and
recipes, all using local Ecuadorian goods!
May all your troubles last as long as your New Year Resolutions!
Un abrazo,
Krysta
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