Since being stationed in the town of Mindo for my service portion of SST, I’ve noticed a big cultural difference between U.S. Mennonites and Ecuadorian “Mindo-nites” – pun intended 🙂 approaches to life. There’s a palpable sense of serenity and…
News
Última Semana – Last Week in Quito
Jun 17 2025
Students visited the museum and home of Oswaldo Guayasamín, one of Ecuador’s famous artists. Then as part of the celebration for the end of the Study portion, students had a Salsa dance lesson, which is a typical dance in Ecuador!
Wrapping up the Study portion of SST host families and teachers were invited to a despedida or farewell party. During the event students sang the national anthem in Quichua, along with dances, a poem and a skit. Students presented their host families with gifts of coffee harvested from our country coordinator’s farm.
It’s hard to say goodbye to host families in Quito, but there is excitement and anticipation for the next six weeks as well. New host families and service institutions are ready and eagerly anticipating the students’ arrival.
What Mindo Taught Me to See
A Day in the Life: Working on a Flower Farm
For my service, I work in Cayambe with an organization called FACE. Under FACE there are other organizations; Casa Hogar, Sumak, Centro Medico Emmanuel, and Forever Flowers. They work together to help break the cycle of abuse and neglect in…