Summer vacation began at the end of February and will end the last week of April this year. The school holiday coincides with the sunniest and hottest months of the year here on the coast, giving our students the chance to relax and enjoy outdoor life in Ecuador. At the Mission Home, the missionary caregivers work hard to give the children a well rounded summer vacation. Here are just a few of the ways that the kids from the Mission Home have been filling their days over the summer holiday this year:
1. Continued Participation in Extracurricular Activities!
We are so grateful that all the kids from the Mission Home continue to participate in extracurricular activities over the summer holiday. The girls attend ballet classes weekly, and both the boys and girls attend soccer training sessions twice a week, and play in tournaments throughout the year. Recently, the adolescent boys and girls played in a mixed-gender tournament in town, and won second place! Extracurricular activities play a crucial role in helping children develop essential life skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and time management, while also fostering creativity and building self-confidence. We are so grateful for your generosity which allows the children from the Mission Home the chance to participate in extracurricular activities.
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- Grace in motion—these little ballerinas are dancing their way to confidence and joy!
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- Taking a break from the training session. All the kids continue to participate in soccer over the summer holiday.
2. Beach Time and Water Play
When you live close to the beach, you have to take advantage of what the sand and ocean have to offer! The kids spend full days at the beach with their caregivers, and even have the chance to participate in community-led events such as the Turtle Festival—a beach cleanup and educational activity advocating for the protection and conservation of turtles in our area. Participating in community events allows kids to develop a sense of social responsibility, connect with others, and gain valuable experiences that help them grow into compassionate and engaged individuals.
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- Recently, the kids attended a turtle festival in town. They event included a beach cleanup and included fun kid focused activities to teach children about conservation.
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- “Less cars, more turtles”
3. Keeping Minds Active
It’s not all fun and games over the summer holiday! At the Mission Home, our tutoring program continues over the summer break. The kids are divided into age groups and spend a few hours every morning reviewing material from the past school year, or working on educational projects to keep their minds active. Not only is this great reinforcement, especially for the children who have experienced educational neglect, but it also provides much-needed routine for the children and their missionary caregivers.
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- Diego, one of our tutors, works one-on-one with Samuel to reinforce some of the topics he had the hardest time with during the school year.
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- A few of the girls spending a little time on language and literature practice.
4. General Relaxation at the Mission Home
Similar to all homes, summer vacation offers the best opportunity to rest and relax as a family. At the Mission Home, you can find sibling groups spending quality time in the patio, spontaneous games of soccer every afternoon, creative ways to play in the rain, and occasional movie nights after long days in the sun.
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- Views from the park at the Mission Home over summer vacation always include the little girls playing some sort of clapping game.
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- A little flooding makes the perfect pretend pool!
And as the summer draws to a close, the memories made and the experiences shared will stay with these children for a lifetime. The Mission Home not only provides a safe place to relax and play, but it’s also a place where each child can continue to grow, discover new talents, and build a future filled with opportunities. As we look toward the next chapter, we’re excited for all the new adventures, challenges, and learning that await. Together, we are building more than just memories—we’re creating a foundation for a bright, hopeful future.
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