Camp Hope

“Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” -Desmond Tutu

We planned our first volunteering project here in Ecuador to be in an orphanage. An opportunity to help children most in need. A way for our kids to make friends with others who are much different than those who they are accustomed to. A chance for our family to derive new perspectives on how fortunate we are to have each other. The surprising twist arrived during when our in-country coordinator José revealed that it was additionally a school for disabled children.

Arrival at the site was overwhelming. The director first offered us a tour completely in Spanish, which none of us speak very well / at all. We quickly realized English is not used by most of the staff. Children relying upon walkers and being pushed in wheelchairs. A concrete enclave for kids with a range of disabilities — mental, physical, and emotional — many of whom have no family to support them outside of these walls. Our kids were visibly disturbed. Erin and I were feeling the same way inside, wondering how we could possibly help without speaking the only language that most everyone knew. On Monday we started our first week at Camp Hope.

Erin was assigned to la salon de amor. This “love room” hosts twelve children whose footprints in various colors adorn the wall as you enter the space. Although typically only 6-10 kids on any given day, the room is a constant buzz of activity. Many of these children have cerebral palsy, autism, and a host of other disabilities, yet their smiles and spirits shine brightly. Mornings consist of exercise and playtime, snack time, and a welcome nap. On clear days they venture to the courtyard and playground to take in new sights and sounds that we all hope stimulates their young minds. All days consist of lots of hugs and kisses, holding hands, encouraging words, and gentle reminders of how to act. Touch is important in the love room, especially for two of the children who are blind. Connor and Keegan have shown incredible compassion towards their new friends and have been graced with smiles and laughs in return. It has been a highlight of Erin’s week to see her boys get so excited when they’ve realized they’ve made a difference in the day of these children. That and she gets to hold babies for hours on end…

I’ve been helping in a room called Benignidad, which translates to kindness toward others. We focus on improving both gross and fine motor skills for children with muscular dystrophy, delayed cognitive development, and one with severe autism. Daily therapy includes tasks that many of us take for granted — cutting (or even simply ripping) pieces of paper, peeling bananas, kicking a soccer ball, and even just taking the caps off markers to write one’s own name. All are amazingly challenging skills for these kids ranging from ages 5 to 13. Once I somehow communicated my youth coaching experience, I’ve been tasked with supporting many of their more physical activities throughout the day. It’s been a test of teamwork, balance, patience, and presence to assist those struggling to walk and talk, and keeping my autistic friend engaged so he doesn’t disrupt (or sometimes attack) other members of the Camp Hope community.

Our boys were a bit reserved in this new environment for the first couple days, unsure of how to interact with children they’d never experienced before. The language barrier is daunting. But slowly they’ve opened up, first in games of futbol and on the playground, then helping Mommy and the kids in the love room. Now they are actively seeking out new ways to be part of the group, supporting children who benefit immensely from a kind act, warm smile, good laugh, or caring touch. Simply being good big brothers to kids they will remember always in ways they may never fully understand. And helping offer a small dose of hope to those who most need it.

http://camphopeecuador.org