I had heard about Project Ecuador while lifeguarding in Venice Beach during the summer. I explained to a friend the trip I was going on and he told me about the project and his experience from the previous year. To me it sounded like the perfect thing to do, I wnated to volunteer during my trip but didn´t want to spend too much time in one place since I really wanted to visit a lot of different places.
Project Ecuador was started by Paul Dunning in 2007 in order to assist Ecuador lifeguards with thei lifesaving needs. Since then the project has grown and every year more lifeguards join to train local lifeguards in Ecuador, provide lifesaving equipment, volunteer lifeguarding during Carnaval and work with local authorities and organizations to create lifeguarding jobs in Ecuador with the ultimate goal of Ecuador joining the International Lifesaving Association.
While everyone had met in Guayaquil after their flights and would be travelling together to Manta, I arrived by myself to the one hotel I knew would be housing some of us in the small beach community of Crucita. There I was greeted by one of the Davids who owned the adorable hotel. They called one of the city offices and while I was confused having no idea of where the rest of the team was Jorge Tapia came by to meet me and show me the beach where I would be working. Jorge was in charge of all of the volunteer lifeguards that would be working in Crucita during Carnaval which included local volunteers, the Fire Department, Red Cross and Civil Defense. All groups that would be working together to keep the beach safe during the holiday. Jorge was doing an amazing work of organizing all of the necessary preparations before Carnaval which included installing flags and painting lifeguard towers. And he was doing all of it without receiving any type of pay, all because he wanted the people to be safe swimming in the ocean.
After meeting Jorge he took me around town, explained who I would be working with and introduced me to my first Ceviche at his parent´s restaurant. It was delicious and I am now the biggest fan of Ceviche, as we ate and talked we waited for the rest of team from Project Ecuador to arrive in Crucita. A few hours later I had the pleasure of meeting Paul, Kerry and Mike all whom I would be working with and we discussed the next day´s training over a delicous dinner.
First meeting and planning for Carnaval
Breakfast at Jorge´s parents restaurant befor training
The Civil Defense Volunteers
Party bus arriving for Carnaval
Exploring Crucita
We began training by having a group meeting, explaining the goals of the project and what we would be doing during Carnaval. Everyone was very enthusiastic to work together and learn from each other. We talked about rescue and lifesaving techniques, did a few tests, drill and training in a hotel pool and then moved on to the beach for rescue training and to talk about strategies that would be used for Carnaval.
Using my Spanish skills in Beach training
Running drills
Loving it!
More teaching and training
The Crucita crew with new uniforms and equipment after training
Kerry , Mike, Paul, Jorge and I
Tower 2 during Carnaval. Where I was kindly served more delicious Ceviche for lunch
The first day of Carnaval in Crucita went smoothly and thankfully water conditions were on our side. Very successful beginning of Carnaval. And because it was Carnaval you can´t waork too hard and you must have a little fun, so we went out to celebrate with the locals and win a lot of foam fights!
You haven´t seen the competition, they looked much worse
Gaby- director of the project in Ecuador, Michelle from San Diego and I
Amazingly delicious dinner provided by Rey David after a hard day of work
The view of Crucita from the hill
It was decided that Crucita was doing well, with enough guards and training was successful so we would move to Manta, a much busier beach to support the other lifeguards who were working there.
Manta
The Fire Station where we slept
Post Carnaval celebrations with the crew
More foam for Macos´ birthday
Paul and the Mayor at the Town Hall meeting reviewing how Carvnaval went
The team with the Fire Chief and Hugo a Manta lifeguard
Last delicious seafood feast!
Working with Project Ecuador was absolutely incredible and I could not have asked for a better experience. It was great to see that we were helping and people were very happy to have us there. I was also very grateful to the amazing hospitality that I received from the whole city of Crucita, Rey David and especially Jorge. I cannot wait to come back next year, see the project grow and visit my new friends who I had an amazing time in Ecuador with.
For more information and photos from the Project please visit the official website at:
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