by Dennis Martin

Today was the first day with CITTI Group in Huambalo, Ecuador. The year before one of our projects was to develop and build a “green house”, a planter work station that would be accessible for children with disabilities that would allow them to take a more active role in the life of their community. When we arrived we had concern as to whether the green house had met their particular expectations and if not, what did they do.

Susan and I met with Arcadio, who was instrumental in designing and building the planter work station last year. The station, made from some available pallets, was empty with spare lumber stacked around it. My first concern was that they did not find it useful. We all know about making assumptions and this proved to be an example of “wait until you know the whole story”. As it turned out the station was being used all the time where children could help make seedling planters. However the planting season did not require a continuous supply. We arrived in between the active periods. Corn is in early growth, maybe seven to nine inches in groups of 3. Initially about five to six seeds are planted together. When they have grown to about six inches they are reduced to three. Rows are laid out by tractor and the corn is planted in the troughs, not the raised part of the row. They use both organic and commercial chemical fertilizers. Tomorrow I will ask him about growing beans with corn as is found in many present day and pre-Columbian indigenous communities. We learned other things about how they grew potatoes, beans, tomate de arbol, etc.

One of the satisfying things that came out of this part of our role here was the inclusion of all the children somewhere in the process of producing food for their families and community. There is a strong sense of a natural dignity in these people who face many challenges. I am looking forward to tomorrow to share and learn what I can.

Hasta luego,
Dennis Martin

Instituto de Educacion Especial, Ambato

A great day working with folks at the special education school in Ambato. CITTI was here in 2005, 6 and 7 and our goal today was to learn more about the impact of those collaborations. We had a great turnout and began with registration introductions and welcomes. CITTI was pleased to present a CITTI sweatshirt and Chaya's collaboration portfolio to Carlos, the director of the school. He and the whole staff had a great time reviewing the last three years in pictures. Focus groups followed with the gathering of much information. While it will take considerable time for us to process it all, it is obvious that there has been significant impact with ripples extending far beyond those personally involved.

Pigs Foot Soup

The highlight of Dennis' dinner, possibly the result of something lost (or gained) in the translation, but a pleasant surprise nonetheless.

Spirit of Chauncy

Our first group dinner Wednesday evening provided a great opportunity to catch up on all things CITTI and otherwise. We toasted Chauncy, CITTI participant and blogmaster from two years ago, with the wine he was generous to sponsor for the dinner. Many thanks Chauncy! ...and miss you this year.

Ecuador at last! Having been a no show for two years for unavoidable family reasons, I am priviledged to join the 2008 CITTI journey to Ecuador. Arriving Tuesday evening I immediately began to connect with the CITTI veterans. First was Andrea DeLeon from Guatemala -> northern Virginia who I had the good luck to run into at the Quito airport as we both looked for transportation to the hotel. Once there we reunited with CITTI project director Bridgett Perry and photojournalist Chaya Spector from Oakland, CA, and Maggie Morales from Fort Bragg, CA. As the evening continued we added Lynn Gitlow and Dennis Martin from Winterport, ME; Ellen Smith from Washington, DC; Stacy Springer from Charleston, DC; Sonia Thacher from Berkeley, CA; and last but not least Susie Pompa from Baltimore, MD.

Wednesday was spent accomplishing a great deal toward preparation for our evaluation focus this year. As the new member of the team the contributions and teamwork of each individual and the whole became readily evident. It's a diverse group with each bringing unique and valuable experience and expertise, yet one that made me immediately feel at home and an integral part. I look forward with great anticipation to the experience of the next 10 days with these friends, old and new.

Returning to Reflect

How wonderful to be back in Ecuador, soaking in the Andean sun. I spent the day reflecting on the past three years. The CITTI Project has grown in so many ways. We have expanded our knowledge, determined our focus and strengthened our collaborations. Together with local teachers, parents, therapists, and individuals with disabilities we have impacted the lives of people with disabilities within the Tungurahua region.

There are wonderful stories that express the essence of what we have accomplished. There are stories of Santiago eating more independently, Carlos transferring himself out of his wheelchair, teachers making accessible learning materials for their classrooms, and so many more. While the CITTI Project thrives on the personal anecdotes, we are now ready to quantify and qualify our efforts. We are here to evaluate our work, measure our progress, and learn from our endeavors.

The CITTI Project 2008 team is convening here in Quito to begin our journey. We will be traveling south to Ambato, where we will be joined by community leaders and members of organizations we have befriended over the past few years. Asoplejicat, an independent living center, supports adults with disabilities to thrive. Institute Especial de Education has invited teachers from throughout the region to reap the benefits of what we have shared for there students with disabilities. In the rural town of Huambalo, we will once again be embraced by the Fundación de San José, de Huambalo, a school started by parents for the benefit of their children with disabilities.

What have they done with their new knowledge and skills? How many adaptations have they replicated, or created new? Has anyone shared their skill with others? Has the CITTI Project made strides towards our mission?

So many questions, so little time! Check back to learn what we learn from this process.