Author: Sam Waddell
My name is Sam Waddell, a fellow IOI alum (Spring 2019), my experience at IOI was so much more than just a three-month study abroad. Through IOI, I have found a second family. I loved being able to meet so many members of my enormous host family, including all of my cousins, aunts and uncles. It is great to see all of their posts on social media, and to keep in touch. One of my favorite memories from my time at IOI was spending a Sunday with my host family in the highlands. My entire family loaded up into a pick-up truck and went to pick ciruellas, a local fruit. I laughed and smiled the entire day, and felt so happy to have been welcomed into a new home, thousands of miles away from my biological family. I am forever grateful to my host family for providing me with such a wonderful and comfortable home away from home.
It’s been more than a year since I left the Galapagos, and my host mom and I still exchange text messages nearly every day. It is great to see all of their posts on social media, and to congratulate each other on big milestones, like birthdays and graduations. My family has given me so much, and provided me with some of my most cherished memories. I wish to be able to do whatever I can to support them, and the rest of Isabela, throughout this difficult time, so that all future travelers to Galapagos can find a home there as I have.
Why your donation to IOI is so important:
Right now, due to COVID-19, IOI is taking the lead to supply food for 60 local families in Isabela, all of which face economic distress. Some of these families include the host families that took us in, fed us, and integrated us into the Galapagos lifestyle. The families that we had grown to love and be a part of; our families, who need IOI right now, and they need you.
To prevent potential future food shortages, the government is looking to IOI to provide the food-resources for the Isabela community. The government is able to import seeds and agricultural equipment that IOI will use to create urban gardens and improve agricultural productivity in the highlands. Additionally, IOI will distribute weekly market baskets of produce to the 60 families. All summer long, your donations will go DIRECTLY to supporting IOI’s Covid-19 disaster relief in Isabela. You will be supporting the action to help provide local food sources for the families.
Our goal is that IOI is able to help the families of Isabela with accessing food during this uncertain time.
Originally posted in the Intercultural Outreach Initiative Newsletter