Jake German '11 - Our first actual teaching experience came at a school in South Quito. We were staying at a foundation called Tierra Nueva. South Quito is different from North Quito just like two sides of a penny are different. The poverty level was greater and the everyday struggles to meet basic needs was more difficult. However, one constant remained: the desire to learn.

'The school we taught at offered both classes during the day and at night. The students who came during the day had a fairly normal school-day experience. The students who came at night all had jobs during the day. Many worked in their homes taking care of siblings while their parents worked. Others worked in hospitals, restaurants, and clothing stores. Some of the most dedicated students I met worked in a fabric factory for 8 hours during the day and then attended school at night. We tried to teach the students practical lessons. We focused on introductions, greetings, the weather, directions, and good-byes.

Most students had a very basic English level. The students' responses were eerily similar when asked, "Why do you want to learn English?" They all said for their futures. The students wanted to learn English so they could move to the United States and Spain to get a job. With the determination they showed in their everyday lives, I have no doubt that some will succeed. It was a special opportunity for us as student/teachers and Wabash College men to help such determined students.