My Nonprofit Reviews

I first served as a Tandana volunteer in 2016. I worked as an English and Theatre teacher as part of their special summer school program just outside of Otavalo. I was immediately impressed with the commitment of staff and the organization itself. Tandana is designed to help Ecuador help itself.

The curriculum emphasized STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics), but I was encouraged to teach theatre skills so that the students would have the confidence to succeed in their regular schools and later on in college. For one core group, I transformed an Ecuadorian folktale into a play that relates to our modern times. The students then performed this play in Spanish for the whole community.

The audience was so appreciative and the student actors so proud that one Ecuadorian board member came up afterwards and said to me. "Welcome to the Tandana family."

This summer will be my fourth visit. Each year Tandana has challenged me to challenge myself. Enthusiasm is contagious, and the students motivate me as I try to motivate them. Mutual respect abounds, and the landscape inspires. I cannot imagine a more rewarding experience for everyone involved.