Medical students from Boston University and Dartmouth College ventured to lead and deliver three weeks worth of lesson plans to children from Cacha, an indigenous parrish twenty minutes away from Riobamba (central highlands in Ecuador). Eleven first year students had prepared for three months previous their start date on July 4, 2011, some had arrived to take medical Spanish classes and attended hospitals and clinics shadowing local doctors. In addition, the majority had an acceptable proficiency of Spanish. But nothing could have prepared them for the cross-cultural impact of 250 children. Yes, children are children anywhere, they are curious and silly,running close to mischievous and exploring the boundaries.Cacha children learn to do household activities very young, they take care of animals and crops during their summer vacation.Most of them walk to the city of Riobamba and help their parents in the markets;others just work in stores or in households.The ages range from 7 to 14 years old. In all, their life is not easy, they experience discrimination and lack of opportunities in education and health. Although the health camps will not solve their problems, Cacha children will be redirected to other topics and people for three weeks.Probably will maintain their faces clean and shiny for some weeks, and treasure their school supplies and toothbrushes brought by these medical students.
The last week has been to wrap – up and to have assessments on the learning. A group has shared with us the kind of assessments they did their last week.
