Los Pequenitos de OSSO

Please note: Los Pequeñitos de OSSO has since been renamed to Hogar de Ángeles.

LOS PEQUEÑITOS DE OSSO (CASAS MILAGROS & ALEGRIA)

Location: Home

Los Pequeñitos de OSSO which means OSSO’s Little Ones is the only orphanage actually owned by OSSO.  We call it OSSO for short. It’s currently the home of 21 children although some of the “children” range to 28 years old.  Because most of the residents here have severe disabilities, they live their entire lives here. This is the main site that we work at in Cuenca and we live here too!

There are currently 2 casas (houses) at OSSO: Casa Alegría (House of Joy) and Casa Milagros (House of Miracles).  Casa Milagros is downstairs and is a mix of older children with special needs and one younger child that goes to school each day.  Casa Alegria has younger children and some older children. Each casa has six bedrooms, a bathroom, and a kitchen/dining area. Here at OSSO we have a large outdoor space to play soccer, go on walks around the orphanage and a balcony where the kids in Casa Alegría like to hang out.  We also have a room called Sala Girasol (The Sunflower Room) where we do activities when it’s raining, have movie nights and other activities.

Remember that almost every activity can be modified for wheelchair users.  Just being with them, singing to them, reading to them and hold their hand can make a difference.

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, This morning, I also helped do physical therapy with some of the kids.  I brought the binder down from the volunteer house and I worked with Little B on his sign language.  He’s doing really well.  It’s nice to spend one-on-one time with the kids doing therapies though.  We had some activity time so we painted trees with dot paints outside.  Lunch came faster than normal I feel like and we brought them back upstairs and feed them soup and juice.  After that we headed back up to the volunteer house and ate lunch. 

This afternoon, it was raining pretty hard, so we watched a movie. I know the boys have seen Thor a thousand times but they still love it and get so excited every time! Then we helped feed everyone dinner (some of the residents have severe disabilities and need our help spoon feeding them). Then it was already time for bed! Sometimes I can’t believe how fast the days go by, time really does fly when you’re having fun!

Tadeo Torres

TADEO TORRES (CASAS & CUNAS)

Location: OSSO's Neighbor

Tadeo Torres is a large orphanage administered by Catholic nuns. We call it Tadeo, Casas or Cunas. It is at OSSO’s orphanage and here that you will serve the most. This orphanage is split into two sections: Casas and Cunas. Casas (houses) is for children 2 to 8 years old. When they reach about 8 years old, they are moved to another orphanage. Cunas (cribs/nursery) is for children under about 2 1/2 years of age.  Tadeo Torres is the only orphanage in Cuenca for babies.

Cunas

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, I just had an amazing shift at Casas.  Those children have SO much energy.  I’m so glad that I know some Spanish but I wish I knew more though.  I love these kids.  They are so willing to love you and they love to play with anyone and everyone.  Today when I walked in, they all yelled my name.  It really made me realize how long I’ve been here and how much I’m going to miss them when I leave in a few weeks.  I wish I could just take every one of them home with me. 

I was assigned the activity for today so I brought popsicle sticks, hot glue guns, markers and lots of goodies like pompoms, googly eyes, feathers and tissue paper to decorate little funny characters and animals on the sticks.   I’m so glad that there are so many craft supplies here at OSSO to choose from. I always go to Pinterest to get fun craft ideas to do with the kids.

After the activity, we ate a snack and then went and watched a movie all together in the commons.  Around 5:30pm we headed to their little rooms to wash their hands before dinner. After dinner, we helped the kids get ready for bed, which is my favorite part of the day. The tias already set out their pajamas so I just tried to help them get ready and tucked them into bed.  They begged for a bedtime story.  Some of the other volunteers brought books to read to them but I just made up some story for them.  They listened so intently, and even though my Spanish isn’t they best, they begged for another one.  It was almost 6:30pm though so I had to go.  I hugged them and said a million goodnights and finally made it out the door.  We waved goodnight to the nun at the door and all walked back next door to OSSO. Shifts at Tadeo are always so satisfying at the end of the day.

Casas

What your journal entry may read like after a shift here: Dear Diary, these have to be the cutest children on the planet.  The Cunas babies are so precious.  The main play room has a bunch of toys.  I love the bouncy toys and balls. One of my favorite things is trying to get the kids to make animal sounds.  They also love to climb into your lap when you grab a book and read it to them.  A nun walked in today too and the babies totally perked up and were so excited to see her. It was so cute. 

We played for about three hours and then the tia came in and told us to walk them into the kitchen.  She had prepared dinner for them.  We grabbed a chair and sat in front of a baby and fed them a huge bowl of soup. After all the babies were fed we took them into their changing room.  The tia showed us where each baby’s pajamas were and then she left us to change the everyone’s diapers and clothes.  In Ecuador they dress the babies in many layers at night to keep them warm. It’s different than what we back at home but makes sense because the buildings don’t usually have heating and it can get cold at night. My favorite part of afternoon shifts at Cunas is probably putting them to bed like the Casa kids.  You put them in bed, sing them a little song and put these cute little mosquito nets that hang from the ceiling around their beds.  Afterwards we put the aprons that we have to put on in the beginning of shift away and put our shoes back on since we have to just be in socks all shift and then we headed back to OSSO.

What Are the Orphanages Really Like?

Personal Introduction from our Current Volunteer Director, Sasha

Before becoming the volunteer directors here in Cuenca, I had at least 100 questions for the past director.  We had no idea what to expect and I like to be prepared and know what I’m getting into.  We were new to OSSO.  We knew that our experiences teaching, working with special needs, our Spanish skills and our experiences working with youth would be helpful, but we really didn’t know what we were signing up for.  You may feel the same way.  I tried to soak up all the information I could.  I searched online for any information about orphanages in Cuenca and found nothing.  I poured through the Instagram, Blog, Facebook page and Pinterest pages of OSSO trying to figure out what to pack, what to wear and what to be prepared for.  The information seemed limited.

Now as director, I hear from volunteers things like: “I didn’t even know this was a orphanage for children with disabilities before I came” or “I wish I had known better what to expect”.

If you’re reading this blog post, then you’re already on the right path.  If you’ve done everything I listed above like looking through OSSO’s Instagram, Blog, Facebook and Pinterest, then I already know you’re going to be a successful and memorable volunteer.

You may never feel quite prepared or that you know exactly what you’re getting into, but you’re going to be more prepared than you think.  Don’t worry.  Who ever your directors will be, whether Keenan and I or others that come after us, they will help you feel comfortable, be safe and enjoy your time here.  All you really need is a couple sets of clothes and a willing heart and mind.

TOO MUCH ALL AT ONCE

aka what you’re going to be doing as a volunteer here…

Location: Ecuador

Los Pequeñitos de OSSO (home)

After arriving at OSSO, you get some time to rest from the trip, but as soon as you’re rested and oriented, you appear on the schedule that the Volunteer Directors make each week.  This schedule lets you know where you are assigned to each morning and afternoon shift.  There are five main orphanages we serve at here in Cuenca and one day care. Some of the orphanages we volunteer in every day while others we only visit on Saturday’s.

Confused and still have questions? Don’t worry! It’s going to all make sense and it’s going to be a blast. Read about each site that we work at and what a shift there may consist of in my next blog posts.

A Day in the Life Week 3

This week's blog is brought to you by past volunteer, Emma.

Week 3

Wow, I can’t believe the third week is over! The first two weeks, I felt like I had lived here at least 2 years. But now time is flying by! This week was such a blur, and I am sad it’s going by so quickly. I have to keep reminding myself that before I know it, I’ll be getting on a plane to go home. So, I am trying to enjoy every second I have here with these precious kids.                                                           

Monday

We had such a fun Olympics party with the OSSO kids to get ready for the winter Olympics! I spent Monday morning in OSSO making flags of all the different countries with C & M that we could hang up during our party. And wow, those boys are so much more particular than I thought! M told me I had to redo the Mexico flag because I didn’t cut it straight enough! (Hah!) The party was a success! It was so much fun helping the kids participate in the different “events” and seeing how happy they were! But I must say, the Tia’s definitely got more into it than anyone else.

Tuesday

Tuesday came around and we got to take the Casa kiddos to horse therapy! I DIED. Those kids are literally the cutest things in the entire world. I love every second I get to spend with them! They were jumping up and down, waiting for their turn to get on the horses. If those kids have taught me anything, it’s to enjoy the small things in life!

Wednesday

After Monday and Tuesday, everyone is excited for Wednesday because it’s FREE DAY! We went to the zoo this week and it was so cool! It literally just felt like a hike through the jungle. And yes, when I say hike I mean HIKE. Wear good shoes! It was so cool learning about and seeing so many different animals. We even got to see the foxes eat lunch (baby chicks) it was rather depressing. But they were really cute before that part.

Thursday

Thursday night at HML was so much fun! Those HML girls are so special and getting to be with them is a highlight of every week for sure. The amount of energy they have is INSANE! And they can show up all the volunteers at just about anything! Soccer, jump rope, UNO, puzzles, tag; they cannot be stopped! We are only there for less than an hour so we are running around nonstop! They are the sweetest most loveable girls.

Friday

Friday came so fast! We had our weekly Spanish class in the morning and I am trying SO HARD to learn as much as I can. I just want to be able to talk to all the kids! If I would have done one thing different before coming, it would have been to learn Spanish. It has been so fun learning a little bit but it’s a process. Our teacher is so helpful and I have learned a lot from her. I look forward to class every week. This week was exceptionally good because after class, we went to Chocolat and got the most AMAZING chocolate covered strawberries in the entire world. I can’t believe I ever thought Zupas had good chocolate strawberries. They are incredible here!

Saturday

By Saturday we are all dead tired but there is always work to be done. I spent the morning with my cute kids in Casas. We played and played and colored and played and it was so fun. There were other volunteers there who taught the kids how to break dance and it was honestly one of the most entertaining things I’ve watched! Those Casa kids are WAY too cute. I want to bring them all home with me! Saturday evening some of the volunteers and I went out to Fabiano’s for dinner and it’s the most fabulous Italian food ever. Highly recommend the pesto pasta. Or the BBQ chicken pizza. Or the garlic knots. Or the Pina colada juice. Or if you are feeling crazy (like I obviously was) GET ALL FOUR.

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This week has been hard, long, and tiring but so, so rewarding. I can’t even explain how amazing it is to be there. I thought I was coming to help these kids, but they are doing way more to help me. I have already learned so much from them. I LOVE CUENCA! I hope these next few weeks slow wayyyyy down.

A Day in the Life Part 2.

This blog is courtesy of Past volunteers, Betsy and Russell. They are serving in Cuenca, Ecuador and have documented their second week as volunteers. Enjoy!

Tuesday January 15th

Every Tuesday morning some of the children have the opportunity to go to “horse therapy”.  It is so hard to get these big kids in and out of the bus.The older kids are really heavy, dead weight. When we get to the facility again we have to lift them out of the bus.  But it is so worth it!  We lift them up onto the horses and then have to hold them on it as they go around the arena.  Each time they go around, workers change them to a new position which is very awkward.  But, to see the sheer joy on their faces as they ride the horses, is worth the hard work.  This is such a great activity for them to work on their muscle tone and balance.  Also it is a wonderful time for them to get out of the orphanage and do different kinds of things.

Wednesday January 16th

Wednesday was all of the volunteer’s day off.  Our directors took us into Cuenca for a tour.  We started at a museum, Museo Pumapungo, which was very interesting.  It had displays of an early group of people who were taken over by the Incas.  Then the Incas were taken over by the Spaniards.  This is why we see a lot of influence in architecture and culture from Spain.  The displays were very well done.  They had replicas of their dirt floor huts and actual weapons, clothes, pottery etc.  Out in the back of the museum was ruins of the Incas and the earlier people.  We got to pet llamas that were in the gardens, see lots of beautiful flowers and then there was a bird aviary.  Evidently Ecuador has the largest population of different kinds of birds. 

Thursday January 17th

We did tons of walking today.  We walked to the market place.  There are hundreds of booths full of different vegetables and fruit, grains, fresh meats.  We have been trying may different kinds of fruit at OSSO.  There are some pretty exotic kinds we have never heard of or see before. All the food was just piled up out in the open.  A lot of the booths were from the indigenous Ecuadorians.  They look so festive in their native clothes and hats. Unfortunately we can’t take pictures of them unless we are far away.

Friday January 18th

We walked to a flower booth and bought 3 bouquets.  Flowers are extremely cheap here.  You can get a dozen roses for $3.00.  We took the flowers into the cemetery which is nothing like our cemeteries.  There are three or four stories of vaults that are enclosed.  Everyone puts flowers or pictures or trinkets on a little shelf in front of the vault.  We went to 3 different vaults which were where three children from OSSO were placed.  They had all died within the past year and a half.  Sasha and Keenan shared with us each of their stories and it was very heart wrenching.  These precious children had suffered so much in their short lives. Sasha told us what they felt the “purpose” of these children’s hard lives were. Heavenly Father loves these children dearly and allows them to be here to teach us Christ like love and compassion.

Saturday January 19th

We went to lunch, pigged out (The food is GREAT!) and then caught a tour bus of the city.  We rode up on top of the bus and wound through the tiny streets in this amazing city.  It is so alive and so full of life and activity.  The bus took us to the highest point of the city where we had spectacular views of Cuenca.  The homes and buildings go on forever it seems.  They are all nestled in the hills and mountains and it is a sight so gorgeous!  Here we hiked up even higher and were able to test our adventurous spirits.  We got on a rickety old swing, assisted by a cute man who buckled us in.  He then pushed us out over a cliff with a drop of several hundred feet.  It was so exhilarating and it was so fun to hear the squeals of everyone of us who did it.

After the tour we went to a street market where they were selling Ecuadorian trinkets and souvenirs.  The girls all bought lots of cheap jewelry and were thrilled.  We also went to some artesan stores with nicer quality things. She took us to a store and the man who owned it took us upstairs into his storage room.  It was full of sweaters, scarves, blankets, table cloths and runners, backpacks.  He gave us fabulous deals, even cheaper than down in his store.  He even gave us all a head band free. 

It was starting to get dark but we all decided to stay longer and have dinner in town.  Again, a delicious meal at a very nice restaurant.  Rice and potatoes and meat are served at every meal. Not a time or place to be dieting fore sure!  After dinner, of course, we had to stop at the ice cream store, Tutto Freddo, for the most delicious ice cream ever!!! I am sure we will all go back there as often as possible!  We all plopped into bed, extremely exhausted after a fun day of discovery and adventure and learning to love this beautiful city, country and people!

A Day in the Life

This blog is courtesy of past volunteer, Aspen Peterson. She is serving in Cuenca, Ecuador and has documented her first week as a volunteer. Enjoy!

Day 1

January 11, 2018
After 24 hours of traveling, I finally made it to Ecuador. I experienced a little culture shock when I found out Ecuadorians don’t flush the TP (toilet paper)! Much different than I’m used to.
Keenan and Sasha took us on a tour of the orphanage today. Definitely not what I expected. I am a little overwhelmed at the extent of care these kids need, but am ready to help however I can.

DAY 2

January 12, 2018
Love is an interesting emotion. It seems to sneak up on you in the most unexpected times and ways.
Hours of playing with the kids and receiving no encouraging reaction had me a little down. So to get away for a bit, I did therapy with one of the kiddos from OSSO A. Physical therapy was first (had absolutely no clue what I was doing) and then developmental therapy. I sat him between my legs and helped him hold a tambourine as I sang “You are my Sunshine” to him. The sweet sound of a giggle filled the room and I watched his smile grow wider as I kept singing to him.
That was when it snuck up on me. Love. Now it seems like I can’t stop the love that’s growing for each of these kids. They’re stealing my heart. I’m coming to realize that that is the most important part of OSSO, loving the kids.
However, my Sunshine boy will always have a special place in my heart.

DAY 3

January 13, 2018
Oh, I wish I could speak Spanish.

DAY 4

January 14, 2018
My first morning at OSSO. To say I was confused and shocked and useless and overwhelmed might be a bit of an understatement. I walked away from the orphanage to get ready for church in a daze.
Little M helped me recover on our way to church. He loved it when I squeezed him tight in a big hug. He laughed (he snorts when he laughs and it is hilarious) and kept asking for more squeezes. The kids always seem to know exactly what you’re feeling and know just how to help.

DAY 5

January 15, 2018
Ate some street vendor chicken today. Or it could have been llama. Or dog. Who knows. They called it pollo though so I think I’m safe……

DAY 6

January 16, 2018
“There’s something about the outside of a horse that’s good for the inside of a man.”
The kids proved this true with how big their smiles were as they did their horse therapy. It was like a wave of calm came over them as soon as they were lifted on the horse. I could relate to that calm. We all need a little horse therapy sometimes.
Emma and I went into the city for our shift off. Taxis are definitely nerve racking when you can’t communicate with the driver, but after today, I feel pretty confident in my abilities of giving them a piece of paper saying where I need to go. Communication problem solved.
I also felt confident that I dressed warm enough with a t-shirt and cardigan to go into town…until it dumped rain on us. Lesson learned. Always take a rain jacket. There’s a reason they call it the wet season.

DAY 7

January 17, 2018
Happy one week! And Happy City Tour Day!
Ecuadorians have a rich history and a beautiful country. I had my phone out taking pictures of everyone and everything half the day. Then I realized that while pictures are great to look back on and reminisce, I also needed to live in the moment. I put my camera away and started taking snapshots in my mind and let myself revel in the memories I was making with Keenan, Sasha and the other volunteers.
Those mental snapshots are what I’ll keep forever.

Thailand Tips and Tricks

* Our thailand program has since been closed*

Accepted to serve in Thailand this summer? Read our list of tips and tricks to help you survive your time there!

Thailand Tips and Tricks

So you’re heading to Thailand! It is often called the “land of smiles” because of the country’s friendly people. Nevertheless, there are a few things to remember while you are in Thailand that will help you assimilate into the Thai culture.

When greeting a Thai

❖    Greet people with the traditional “wai” (w-A-e). For a proper “wai” bring your open palms together at chest height, then bow slightly.→

❖     Don’t wai a child. You would only embarrass the person if you do. Simply nod and smile even if you feel snobby not returning the greeting.

❖    Feel free to be open; don’t perceive it as intrusive if a Thai asks you questions about your age, marital status or income.

❖    Don’t touch someone’s head, not even the cutest child’s. You may mean well and see it as a form of caressing, but the head is considered to be the most superior and sacred part of the human body to Thais. They believe that the soul resides in the head. Only family members or monks are allowed to touch anyone’s head.

❖    Smile! Smile as much as you can. A smiling face is a sign of respect toward surrounding people. It will get you what you want faster than any demonstration of anger.

❖    Dress modestly and keep your attire clean. It is considered a form of respect to society to wear a nice outfit.

When visiting a temple

❖    Don’t touch a Buddha image, climb on top of it or sit next to it, even for a picture. It’s very disrespectful.

❖    Cover your shoulders and knees. This applies to men and women.

❖    Remove your shoes and hat upon entering a temple.

❖    Do not take pictures when you enter the temple, even if there is no sign asking you not to.   

When in a restaurant

❖    Don’t call a waiter by waving your index finger.

❖    Don’t use your left hand, if your friends eat with their hands and you want to join in. It is considered an equivalent to toilet paper and thus dirty.

Other important things to remember

❖    Do not throw things before someone else, this is considered extremely rude.

❖    Thais find it hard to decline a request. For this reason Thais will “lie” if they don’t know an answer to a request.

i.e.If asked directions to a place and they do not know, they will give you false directions to avoid appearing ignorant.

Remember these cultural do’s and dont’s but watch to see what other natives do and how they act in these situations. They will be your greatest teachers.

PACKING LIST

→ You will need at least one set of clothing, including shoes, which you won’t mind getting dirty and/or wet.

→ You can use your suitcase to lock away valuables, if you feel this is necessary.

→ Bedding, a pillow and a bath towel are provided

→ Electricity—Thailand’s voltage is 220 volts compared to States with its 110 voltage. Please read the following article, http://www.220-electronics.com/blog/voltage-converters-for-thailand/

You will need to bring a converter, if traveling with a friend you can split this cost. Converters are hard to find in Chiang Mai and are expensive.

Don’t go out and purchase clothes specifically for this. You’ll want to be dressed comfortably when working in the orphanages.

Culturally Thai men and women are more conservative in their dress and refrain from wearing shorts or tank tops. Many Thai people are Buddhist and visit Buddhist temples on a regular basis and are more modest as they are in their places of worship.

As OSSO volunteers you will be asked to comply with the a same dress pattern.

Clothing (suggested list, more than adequate—you can get by on much less)

• 3-4 pairs of light weight pants or capris for women. You can also bring knee length skirts

• 3-4 pairs of Nylon slacks or Nylon- Convertible type hiking pants for men

• 8–10 short sleeve shirts/tops

• 1-2 pairs comfortable shoes (no tank tops)

• 2-3 Sunday outfits

• 1 pair comfortable dress shoes

• 1 pair of flip-flops/sandals

• light-weight jacket (waterproof and hooded works best)

• 10-15 day supply of underclothes and socks

• pajamas/lounge wear

• backpack/duffle bag for use on field trips and activities

• camera and applicable accessories (cables, high capacity memory cards/USB drives

•  sunglasses, baseball cap for the field trips

• To see a more detailed packing list, please see: Thailand complete packing list 

Toiletries

Due to the increased restrictions for checked luggage and carry-on restrictions of liquids, we highly recommend that you bring only travel-size toiletries to get you by for about a week, and then you can go to the supermarket there and buy the toiletries you’ll need during your time. Generally, if buying U.S. brands, the cost will be comparable to U.S. prices, but if you buy local brands, the price will generally be lower.

However, the costs of hair care products and makeup can be expensive. You may consider bringing your own of these items, but you can also find them in Thailand.

Things you should bring from home:

Makeup (you’ll likely use very little because it is so humid)

Hair accessories

Hand sanitizer (one regular size bottle and a small pocket-sized one),

Contact stuff (this is actually not very common there, so you should bring the amount you need)

Feminine products

Medicine

Suggestions: Pepto-Bismol, Tylenol/Advil, cold medicine, allergy medicine, medicine for motion sickness, anti-itching cream, Robitussin/Dayquil, etc.

Bring the needed amount of any prescription medicines you as well as any medicines you take on a regular basis.

Other

·         backpack/duffle bag for use on field trips and activities

·         Ziploc bags for travel as well as for storing things

·         camera and applicable accessories you may want to bring a waterproof disposable camera for some of the field trips

·         supplies for scrapbooking, art projects and preschool activities are constantly used and needed—colored paper, construction paper, folders with pockets, stickers, glitter, rewards/prizes/treats for the kids, markers, colored pencils, glue bottles, glue sticks, etc. are some suggestions

·         American candy—especially chocolate or other favorite food

Optional (completely up to you whether you want to bring any of this, just some things previous volunteers have liked having)

·         Sunglasses, baseball cap for the field trips

·         Pictures of your family, home, friends

·         Journal

·         A money pouch if you’d feel more comfortable using this to carry your money, ATM card and passport in while traveling

·         Thai reference material, e.g. Thai-English dictionary

·          “Favorite” foods

Eat, Drink, and be Merry

A common question that we get from volunteers is, 'What will I be eating while I'm in Ecuador?" We have delivered and put together a helpful list of common meals that you will be eating while in country!

1. Meat, rice, beans and vegetables

This will be a staple meal for lunch. There will be lots of food to choose from and a good variety if you're a picky eater!

2. Cuy

Cuy is an Ecuador delicacy and is served at many nicer restaurants. One cuy can be about $20! Don't be afraid, it tastes like chicken!

3. Chocolate bread and other pastries.

There are a couple of bakeries down the street from the volunteer home. Most breads are around a quarter and just heaven on earth. We recommend the chocolate bread!

4. FRUIT...lots of fruit!

There will always be a variety of fruit in the kitchen for the volunteers to eat. Several of the staples include bananas, star fruit, mangoes, melon, papaya and many others!

5. Fruit Juice

6. Chatos

I wish we could make you fully understand the magic that is chatos. Chatos is a local food stand in Cuenca that sells dessert kebabs. They pile on fruit, marshmallows, brownies and coat the whole thing in chocolates. Chatos is the #1 thing talked about by the volunteers. Don't hesitate, just buy 10 your first day.

7. Treats

There will be vendors all over the city and lucky for you, some of those include treats. If you are not wanting to brave the street food, you can shop at the local mall and get packaged treats (The really good chocolate is cheaper than Hershey Bars!)

8. Pizza! Yes, pizza!

Tutto Freddos is a volunteer favorite! Tutto Freddos is a very nice pizza restaurant in downtown Cuenca. We recommend getting Fiora Vanti (soda) to wash it down! 

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New Year, New You

If you are like me, now that we are a couple weeks into the new year, I image that a few of your New Year's resolutions have been forgotten or broken and you are left wishing that there was something you could do to still feel like a new you. Well look no further because I have just the thing!

Did you know that giving of your time and money can actually increase your happiness? I know, crazy! But a group called Social Capital Community Benchmark did a survey to demonstrate this. The results were, that in 2000, the people that donated money/time to charities were 43 percent more likely to click that they were "very happy" on the survey than those who didn't donate! Now I don't know about you but I want to be happy! So what can we do? Well the "new you" in this new year can donate your time and/or money to an incredible organization called Orphanage Support Services Organization or OSSO.

OSSO is a non-profit organization run out of Rexburg, Idaho that sends volunteers and monetary support to orphanages in Ecuador and Thailand. If you volunteer with them, you get to work hands on with incredible children that you will grow to love with all your heart. But that's not all! Not only do you get to watch your life be changed by these loving children, you also get to adventure! And by adventure I mean riding elephants and petting tigers ect. in Thailand! Or zip lining through the jungle and horseback riding through the Andes mountains ect. in Ecuador! I know what you're thinking, "Where do I sign up?" Well visit their website at www.orphanagesupport.org and apply today!

This is a new year and a new you. Do something worthwhile with it and volunteer with OSSO today! 

Giving Tree

The season of giving is upon us!

OSSO has continued their tradition of a Giving Tree for the holiday season! This is the second year that OSSO has had their virtual Giving Tree available online. If you are looking for a way to donate, it could not be more simple! Just choose an ornament!

Our Giving Tree is a fun way for those to see what their donation will bring to the orphans in Ecuador and Thailand. Wondering what your donation will cover?:

• $5- Fresh fruit for every child in an orphanage of 80 children for a day.
• $15- A field trip to the park with 15 children.
• $20- A custom brace for a handicapped child.
• $40- A Christmas feast for an orphanage of 25 children.
• $100- School fees for 5 children.

Consider joining us this holiday season by donating a few dollars to help children meet their basic needs.

From OSSO alumna, Katie Eberhard:

"I've been around OSSO a couple times around Christmas, and I was blessed to spend Christmas day there in 2015 as well. Christmas is naturally a special time of year, but being with those incredible kids made it even more beautiful. We spent weeks thinking about and gathering Christmas presents. Hours were spent wrapping gifts and stuffing stockings. The work was worth it; the planning the preparation, more than paid off. On Christmas Eve we went from casa to casa singing carols to the kids and to the workers. Several of the children joined us as we sang. With excited hearts and light in their eyes we sent them to bed. In the morning wonder of wonders, Santa had come in the night! We ate a delicious breakfast and crowded into Girasol. I don't know that I have ever seen such delight as I did on the faces around me. Gifts were opened amid wide smiles. Everyone was so grateful for their gifts, even though some of them may have seemed meager int he sight of others. I was humbled beyond measure. The rest of the day was spent in the normal routine and happy playing with the gifts  received."

Volunteer Directors Position

Information for Volunteer Director(s) Position

in Cuenca, Ecuador and Chiang Mai, Thailand

Volunteer Directors will be expected to arrive in Ecuador May of 2019.

Applicants must show a commitment to stay a minimum of 9 months. Individuals or couples will be selected for this position. Spanish and Thai is not required to apply but strong preference will be given to those who do speak it. Note, for the position in Ecuador, at least one of the two individuals must speak fluent Spanish. Thai is not required for Thailand.

If applying as an individual or as a couple, compensation will most likely be sufficient to cover costs pertaining to travel, room and board, and a small living stipend.

While there are no specific educational requirements, those with any of the following background(s) are encouraged to apply:

·         special education

·         training or experience in child development

·         have taught English as a second language

·         recreation management

·         youth leadership

Applicants must be energetic, have strong leadership skills, be able to get along well with people, and have a strong commitment to service. Preference will be given to those who have experience in International travel and volunteering.

Responsibilities of Volunteer Director(s) in Ecuador and Thailand

Your responsibility is to oversee and facilitate the volunteers’ work in orphanages as well as their overall experience. You will also be responsible to keep open communication with office staff to work on program improvements and overall program needs. These duties will be shared between the two Volunteer Directors.

Responsibilities include (but not limited to):

·  Maintain positive orphanage relationships with all staff

·  Administrative tasks such as attending meetings with orphanages to discuss volunteer work and orphanage needs

·  Attend a weekly Skype meeting with office staff to approve weekly budgets, review weekly travel plans, express any concerns, and keep open communication.

·  Communicate with other branches of OSSO via email and/or phone

·  Train and supervise volunteers

·  Ensure the volunteers observe the Code of Conduct

·  Schedule volunteer work with the various orphanages

·  Translate and interpret for volunteers and visitors (where applicable)

·  Manage finances for volunteer and program expenses

·  Keep accurate and up-to-date financial records in Quick Books.

·  Accompany volunteers to medical appointments

·  Purchase food for the volunteer house (Ecuador)

·  Coordinate visitors’ schedules and activities

·  Arrange transportation for the volunteers

·  Airport pick-ups and drop-offs for all volunteers.

·  Coordinate, attend, and supervise OSSO sponsored field trips.

·  Coordinate Spanish class for interested volunteers (Ecuador)

·  Work at the orphanages when there are not enough volunteers and when supervision of volunteers is needed.

Applicants must be committed to living by the OSSO code of Conduct and enforce it among volunteers.

The job will require frequent evening work and extra work on holidays when short-term volunteers often volunteer in the orphanages. It will require some Saturday work and occasional Sunday work, although compensatory time can be taken during the day and during mid-week.  During busy times, the work load may exceed 40 hours per week.

Please complete the online application below. Be aware that as part of the online application you must attach your resume and a letter of intent.

A note from past Ecuador Volunteer Directors, Sasha and Keenan Foster:

"I know that everyone’s experience as director is different, but there are some things that are universal.  This volunteer position shapes part of your life.  It becomes your life for a time and then you can’t imagine the rest of your life without this experience in it. We’re beginning to reflect on the year we’ve had here and the influence we’ve had and the influence everything has had on us.  We refer to the OSSO volunteers that came while we were here as our volunteers.  We literally consider the teens at OSSO and HML and Remar and HPT our friends.  It truly feels that way.  We made life long connections with the orphanages’ staff, our bus driver’s family and people at church and in the community.  Although I personally never thought of Ecuador as a place I would feel for, it is now engraved upon my heart.  It’s now not just another South American country that we might one-day visit.  It’s a home away from home.

This opportunity was perfect for us poor wandering college students. OSSO takes care of you.  We are volunteers and we work hard.  Sometimes we work so hard and so many days in a row that you would do anything for a nap.  When you reflect on it though, there’s nothing you’d rather be doing.  It’s a job that doesn’t ever really feel like a job and offers more perks than any job that you’ll ever have in your life.

When we first applied for this position we couldn’t believe that this type of opportunity existed.  Job experience – volunteer experience – compensation for travel, stay and living – working with children – living in Latin America – speaking Spanish all the time – a change – adventure.  I mean, we really didn’t know what we were getting ourselves into, but we were all for it.  I hope that everyone considers what this opportunity could do for your life.  It was a random and sudden change for us, but it was everything we needed and wanted.  We wondered if it was the right time or the right thing to be doing.  All I know is that the best things that have happened to us in the last few years weren’t planned, they were sudden and adventurous and required us to adjust our lives.

The people you work with from the Rexburg office to the 2-year-olds next door here in Cuenca, will love you and you will love them.  Consider it.  Do it.  There won’t be regrets."