Diary notes

The journey:

October 12, 2008
"After traveling for 15 hours, we had finally reached our destination... The traffic, the exhaust-filled air, buildings that we had previously only seen on television and many poor people in the streets... I was slightly relieved when we reached our hotel..."

Heiko, apprentice at Pfullendorf, Germany

The work:

October 13, 2008
"We finally began our work on Monday. We were all wondering what our construction site would be like. After brief instruction and dividing into groups, we finally got started on our work. Two groups immediately began installing the Kombifix systems, another group set up our small workshop and the fourth group sorted the products that were delivered to us..."

Heiko, apprentice at Pfullendorf, Germany

October 14, 2008
"The supports are more temporary, a collection of metal rods and wooden boards fastened to the wall somewhere with wire and somewhere to the still unfinished roof, on the assumption that 'it'll hold'.... Eventually, "El Maestro Carols," the boss in charge of the entire construction, hurries by and lights a fire under his comrades' rear ends..."

"In addition to our role as workers, we are also forced to assume the role of VIPs. To the students, we are a sensation to be observed during every spare minute. It's only natural - it's not every day they see blond-haired boys or red-headed girls with green or blue eyes walking by..."

Steffi, apprentice at Pfullendorf, Germany

October 15, 2008
"Things were difficult for the two groups in the other building again. At first they were able to focus on attaching the brackets for the washbasins too, and connect them with Mepla straight away. But suddenly, the local workers ripped away supports or shoveled them from one pile to another. Shoveling... - for whatever reason - and in cases like this the only thing you can do is look for some other work..."

Christoph, apprentice at Pottenbrunn, Austria

October 16, 2008
"Right on time, every day the siren sounds - no, there's no fire, but worse... - the students are on recess. For Patrick and me this means that we have to escape because the girls are constantly trying to take pictures of us. And not even the nail-strewn construction site can deter them... Phew, recess is finally over and we can get back to work..."

Philippe, apprentice at Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland

October 17, 2008
"Today, our crew was joined by a new member from the Sembres organization. He will accompany us here for the remainder of our work. We showed him how to complete our work in case we do not get everything finished.."

Patrick, apprentice at Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland

The weekend:

October 18 and 19, 2008
"After a hard-working and eventful week we were looking forward to our well-deserved weekend trip... We made a stop in the town of Guachala directly on the equator… For the first time we had the opportunity to marvel at the typical Ecuadorian specialty: grilled guinea pig... We never really developed a taste for this delicacy..."

"I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw the Swiss apprentices and Christoph from Austria run towards the boat slip and dive into the eight-degree water of the glacial lake without even batting an eye... We continued to Cuicocha from where we were also able to see the inactive volcano Cotopaxi..."

Rafael Anner, chaperone

The work:

October 20, 2008
"Today, the drainage pipes and the floor drainage were laid. But it turned out that this would be a problem in one building, as a concrete floor had already been poured and would first have to be broken up again. In addition, the urinals, Mepla pipes, showers and the toilet discharge pipes were installed and laid. The fuss started up again, just like every break when the fire siren went off…. Two girls wistfully asked me for my e-mail address..."

Sonny, apprentice at Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland

October 21, 2008
"Apart from the fact that the building workers buried our electrical cables again and swept the debris down off the roof without looking to see if we were underneath, the second part of the workday went well.... On the way back to our hotel, we even saw torch jugglers standing on top of one another - in the middle of the street. You can't imagine everything that goes on in the streets here. People selling newspapers and fruit, acrobats, beggars and much more. The traffic is unbelievable too: They pass on the left, pass on the right, and everyone always has the right of way..."

Raphael, apprentice at Rapperswil-Jona, Switzerland

October 22, 2008
"Now that we are slowly nearing the end, some of us wish things could go on longer… My job measuring, welding - and ignoring the catcalls from workers.... Six of us played poker to round out the evening. Steffi showed the boys how to play - and won…"

Gabi, apprentice at Pfullendorf, Germany

Last workday:

October 23, 2008
"Because we set up the sanitary installations in the school, the people of Sembres are being promised more land. The manager of the aid association thanked us several times and told us we were welcome at any time in the future... The final couple of hours of work beckoned... And once again there were strange happenings waiting for us: The workers threw the plaster onto the ceiling with shovels and then spread it, with the result that about a quarter was strewn over the floor and other people…"

Heiko, apprentice at Pfullendorf, Germany

Farewell to Ecuador and return journey:

October 24 and 25, 2008
"It is amazing how religious the people are. They'll even give away the little they have… We ended our impressive tour of the town at the same place our trip to Ecuador had begun. 3,000 meters above sea level in a restaurant next to Ecuador's statue of liberty... We talked about the past two weeks and again had much to think and grin about: For example when we recalled the occupational safety on the construction site…"

"Over the past two weeks we have really bonded as a team and almost become a small family..."

Rafael Anner, chaperone