Doing good deeds is a reward unto itself, but helping out in the Amazon rainforest is a special kind of treat.
A group of 22 St. Andrew’s boys is now in Ecuador on a ME to WE adventure that includes a trek deep into the rainforest to stay at an eco-lodge.
The boys, in grade 11 and 12, toured a development project, learned about the Amazon’s culture and traditions, and essentially became part of a family as they worked together on a WE Charity development project.
The Ecuador adventure also took the boys to a farm where they spent time with a family and pitched in with the daily chores, learning about the joys and the challenges faced by people living in the region.
They also paid a visit to a cacao farm and learned how important this tree and its seeds are to the economic development of the region.
Then it was time for more exploration and the group headed to Ecuador’s capital, Quito, and toured the UNESCO World Heritage site to learn about the country’s colonial past and contemporary struggles.
Last year’s group took along a 3D printed prosthetic hand for donation to a health centre in Ecuador. This year, the plan was to donate a prosthetic leg. Take a look at Zachary Chua’s video on the construction of the leg, which remained in Aurora for further enhancements. Hopefully, the computer engineering students who created it will find a home for it!
Stay tuned for photos from this amazing Amazon adventure.