EIL Intercultural Learning

Conor Trawinski is a student from Co. Mayo. Conor volunteered in Sinsoluka, a project working with street children in Quito. Since his return to Ireland Conor continues to stay involved with Sinsoluka and is actively fundraising and raising awareness for the project.

I volunteered because I wanted to see a different view of this strange world that we all live in today, and of course I had the smallest, little bit of fun in the process.....

Sinsoluka (without glue) is the name of the project I am working with. It is an amazing project that deals with street children from 1 year olds to 25 years olds. Most of the children who are 8 years old or older inhale a type of industrial shoe glue so that they can numb the pain of their down trodden, miserable lives. We want to stop them using this drug and we are trying to give them a happier life in whatever way we can. All of the people involved (especially Mario Piedra, the founder of the project) are all extremely motivated and care so much for the kids. It is so rare to see this much care and acceptance for street kids in Quito (and probably anywhere else in the world). Mario's work is brilliant and it has rubbed of on me (at least a little bit anyway). Because of him and the dire situation that these kids live in, I am getting my act together (here, back home in Westport) and I am organising fundraiser events, among other things, to help get this project up and running properly. It only started in December 2005 so funds are low and there is no place big enough to hold classes or to help the kids as much as we want to. I am hoping to change this!!

I am back since the 29th of June, and so far one event is fully arranged. I have plenty of ideas and help though (I have recruited 3 people to the cause) with lots of programs in progress. I will be printing Christmas cards to sell in local shops and also at any events I will hold. I will be having a gig on Thursday the 14th of September in Westport and hopefully a second during November. I have posters for these events made, and I also have a presentation ready to give to classes in local secondary schools. One of the new volunteers (one of my recruitsJ) will film a documentary on the project next summer. The enthusiasm and help from everybody is great. I never expected it, but just by being motivated and enthusiastic myself I am motivating other people to help the cause. It is a wonderful feeling.

Any of you who are back from your travels should defiantly continue on. Help your project. They will always need help. And for those of you who are thinking about volunteering. DO IT. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I think anybody and everybody should volunteer at least once!!!!!