We have just arrived in Ambato, we immediately realized we are in a special place and on a special day. In the village square, in fact, the weekly market is in progress. Children, youth, adults and seniors with typical clothes, they share the products of their land. In the midst of this wonderful festival of colors and flavors, there appears Estefania, 21 year old girl committed to the promotion of the culture of their people. Proudly showed us her outfit: a white shirt with embroidery and in the center the Andean star, a red coat with a brooch (tupuchi) symbolizing membership in the community, an ornamental band and a black skirt. All in a mix of elegance, sobriety and pride that makes her description a wonderful time!

With her and her friends, we went to the “Unidad Educativa del Milenio”, a Kisapincha school pointing to interculturalism. The headmaster told us that “the school welcomes children aged 5 to 17 years. Our goal is to promote the knowledge of its origins but in an intercultural perspective. This is why, for example, we use three languages: the Kichwa (native language of the indigenous peoples), Spanish and English. In addition, children learn from an early age the importance of community life. Integration and inclusion are essential and part of educational programs. Currently, in our programs there are 38 teachers, 130 students and 520 parents invlolved. “

We left for the next step of our trip. Destination Pucara, where “guaca” (a sacred place) was awaiting us. A light rain accompanied our journey. We were going to get off the bus and we had a surprise: not being part of the community Kisapincha, must be recognized by the land and be accepted. For this, we needed to do three laps around the “guaca”. It seemed to be a wonderful opportunity to profoundly welcome the customs of these people. Therefore, we accepted everything with joy. At the end of three rounds, a ray of sunlight illuminated the square. Our native friends smiled and told us “the earth has recognized and greeted us. Now we can party.”

Even lunch was an extraordinary experience: there was a table in the center of the room on which were prepared typical dishes. Standing around the table, we ate walking in order to live a community experience! In short, even lunch became a moment to make us feel more like brothers.

Off again and this time, few hours of travelling was awaiting us. During the journey, did not miss the opportunities to learn something more of my fellow travelers. Edward, Filipino, told me that “during the last tsunami I saw everything collapse around me. Within hours, all I cared about was gone … many people have died, and I thought I would die too. When everything is finished, I realized that a second life had begun for me; I have been given a second chance. For this, I wanted to give a year of my life for others! And this year had changed the perspective of my life … now I feel more human, more complete. I realized that I want to live my life by loving the people who pass by me. “

Cirangelo, Brazilian, told me he arrived in Ecuador 2 months ago: “When there was an earthquake, I felt something inside of me. It was a cry, the cry of the people who were suffering. Bit by bit as the news arrive, it became more and more clear it was a tragedy: almost 1,000 dead, tens of thousands displaced people … I decided to go to put myself at the service of others. There, they asked me to listen to people, hundreds of people every day. For a whole week I listened to stories and, each time, I had to empty myself to fully accept all the pain and suffering of those who were next to me. One day I saw six children sitting on the floor. They were children but they had adult faces, furrowed by suffering. They had a clouded vision. I had to do something. I started playing and slowly, they approached … in the end, they found a smile. And, in fact, in the following days I had to look for the parents to let them talk and share their grief… Unfortunately, after only a week I had to return. But in a few weeks I’ll go there again because I feel that I do not want to stay calm in my life knowing that there are people to love concretely.”

The journey continues and the scenery is wonderful. Everything around us a “alfombra verde”, a green carpet that followed us for kilometers and kilometers … but then, at some point, in the middle of the green and the clouds, there appeared the Chimburasa volcano that rises with all its majesty. We stop because the show is worthy to be contemplated. And there, in the open, admiring one of the best shows in the world, I realized that nature is really wonderful … we found ourselves partying like children. Selfies, group photos, races and laughter … I remembered Catalina’s words in the recent days, she told us that “in the Ecuadorian tradition, the more the relationship with nature, the greater the relationships between humans”!

Arrived in Salinas, at 3,500 meters above sea level, we met some young people who told us the intuition of Father Antonio Polo: “Today, 28 local businesses are living a reality of solidarity economy.” Anarosa showed us the reality of the youth center, “the idea is to create a dialogue and sharing space, where everyone can experience the community experience.” The most touching moment is when they show us a presentation with the many activities that organize: simple and more complex activities, all aimed at socializing and sharing; to create a culture of community and solidarity; to experience a collective reality with a the sense of a family; In short: to create bridges of brotherhood!