A Family Tradition

I had hoped to write this post several days ago, but an unexpected fall and trip to the hospital got in my way.  I'll tell you more about that in my next post, but first I would like to tell you about the most amazing experience that Lance and I had since arriving in Cuenca.

If you are regular readers of my blog, you might recall that Carolina, the young woman who works at the front desk where we live, was collecting toys, candy and animal crackers to distribute to children that live in some of the poorer towns located north of Cuenca.  When Lance and I made a donation, we were kindly invited to go along with her family to hand out the items.

On Sunday, December 21st at 7:00 A.M., Carolina came to pick up the two of us and another gringo couple, (Lynn and James,) who had also donated to this worthy cause.  We were all taken back to her home where we met up with many members of her extended family, including her 94 year old grandmother.  For the past 25 years this kind family has made it a tradition to travel together to 5 small towns in the Provincia of Canar to hand out all the toys and candy they collect for the boys and girls.  They load all the donations in a truck, and then a caravan of cars takes off for the mountains.

It was a beautiful sunny day and we were really looking forward to the trip.  Without a car, we rarely have the opportunity to see other towns, so we were excited to see what lay ahead.  After so many years of doing this, the family had the event well organized.  All the distributions are made at the local schools.  As we pulled in we would hear a cheer ring out from the children who were gathered on the playground.   They were lined up and ready for our arrival.

The young men in the family would immediately unload the truck...

while the woman would gather all the girls in one line and all the boys in another line.  They would place the children from youngest to oldest.  Before the items were given out, a speech was usually given by someone from the school...most likely a teacher or principal.  Then, the grandmother would  give a short speech and everyone would applaud. After the speeches, the children would often perform a song or dance.

When all the formalities were finished it was time for the gifts to be distributed.  Boys were given some type of vehicle, and the girls were given fashion dolls.  Each toy was valued somewhere around $2.50.  In addition, they were each given a bag filled with animal crackers and candy, and another bag that had a small Christmas bun inside.  It would no doubt be the only gift they would get for Christmas.  Everyone was grateful for what they got.  No one pouted or complained if they got something different.  No one pushed or shoved, instead they all waited quietly for their turn.

After the children received their gifts, we were treated to a meal.  At some schools, it was something small, but at others it was an entire meal with chicken, guinea pig (cuy,) potatoes, salad, tea, deep fried dough, etc.  5 schools...5 meals...and it would be considered impolite not to eat something at each destination.  Often, leftovers were sent with us.  

This is the inside of one on the nicer schools we visited.   Most classrooms we saw were much smaller and had very few supplies compared to our schools back home.

Here are a few pictures of scenery we saw along the way.  Unfortunately we couldn't get some of the more spectacular views that we saw from our moving car.  

Our second to last stop was one of the most interesting.  It was a small school high up in the mountains.  When we arrived an ice cream truck was on the scene.  

Later a priest gave mass to the crowd before we gave out the gifts.  We were offered shelter in a building, but all the others had to sit out in the hot sun for the service.  After the adults were fed the children preformed a dance, and then invited us to dance with them.  

In one of the buildings they had an altar constructed that was made out of fruits and vegetables.

Carolina took a selfie with the kids and they loved it!  By the time we arrived home, it was 6:00 P.M.  We were exhausted, but so honored to be a part of this great family tradition.