Ecuador 2012

200 years ago African slaves were used to work the mines in Southern Columbia. Some of these slaves escaped into northern Ecuador and formed what are now the jungle villages along the Onzole River, a three hour dugout canoe ride from the nearest road. What started as missionary contact by Ecuadorians has now evolved into a unique friendship and partnership between the village of 500 African descendants and Canadians. The Navigators and Lifechange Adventures have helped build a community center with a library and computer lab that is geared towards the development of women and children. What is so unique and refreshing about this initiative is that these ideas are coming from and are led by the community leaders and not the North Americans. At each step in the process we have been asked and invited with the direction for this project coming from the people themselves. Life Change Adventures and their partners living in Ecuador, Nikki Horne and Dale Horst, have built strong relationships with members of the community over several years. The commitment to help springs from these close relationships but the work has a limited time span so the community can stand on it's own over the long haul. In a place that has intermittent electricity and no running water this is quite a task! The focus this year is on creating and running day camps for the children of Onzole in the Learning Centre that we helped build in 2011. There will also be some repairs and maintenance work.

This is an opportunity to:
Put your faith in action!
Serve others and make friends!
Learn from another way of life and share yours!

Trip details:

Date:
The trip is designed to run during the University Reading Week Feb 16 - 26
* we do leave Toronto on the Thursday - (a letter to help with any midterm conflicts is available)

Approximate Cost:
$2750 all inclusive including: flights, in country travel, food, accommodation, building material, etc.
* this does not include travel to and from Toronto, shots, souvenirs. If these extra costs are an issue speak to your local navigator staff

Contact:
Ottawa – Chris Barrett chrisb@navigators.ca
Kingston – Dan McIver danm@navigators.ca