This post features student writing.

After visiting the equator, we arrived to the host village, Iltaqui. The villagers immediately took us in by welcoming us with plentiful food, dance, and a crazy game of soccer. Crawling out of our sleeping bags the next morning, we were greeted with breakfast and the first day of work. We started digging out dirt in order to build a fence. The villagers worked with no break, and we all were sweating by the end. After taking a cold shower, and another soccer match and basketball game with the local kids, we were ready for the next day eventful day. The next step was to start mixing cement and adding it in. We got a lot of sun, but we also got a lot out of the hard work. For the Fourth of July, we attempted to start a fire with flint and steel, but eventually had to use a lighter. Dan the Man pulled out his guitar and we ended the night with lots of karaoke and s’mores. Over the next couple of days, we worked toward completing the fence. We are looking forward to watching the Women’s World Cup during a trip to Otavalo tomorrow.

— Rose & Jake