Guayaquil, Ecuador – First Annual Women’s Wellness Symposium
It is nearly impossible, while living in Western comfort to imagine the barrio much less the women and their families living there in poverty. But Mama Linda, the matriarch of Adopta Una Familia (AUF) and daughters Erica (who was a Peace Corp Volunteer in Guasmo) and Abby know them well. Together with the women of the community, they created the First Annual Women’s Health Symposium.
“Of course, I will go” was my reply when asked would I come along to offer yoga and meditation (in Spanish with great translators). We were a mighty group of 9 coming from the US to the barrio to offer massage, mindfulness, trauma work and prayer for 4 days, complete with meals and goodie bags for the 70+participants ranging from 16-75. This community is especially dear to me because my children each traveled there many times to do service work and our whole family went together there the year after 15 year old Ben’s adventures losing his passport and $$ (some of you may remember this tale and many of you have donated or could donate to AUF).
