Country number two will be Ecuador (in February 2019)! I really didn’t know much at all about this country (except, you know, it’s on the Equador…), but now I have some really cool facts to share about the country!
1. With a population of over 16 million people, the main ethnic group of Ecuador is Mestizo, which is from a mix of European and Native American backgrounds (71%).
2. Spanish is the official language and you can catch me teaching myself Spanish every day from now until I leave!
3. The poverty rate in 2016 was 22.9%, which is a 9% drop in seven years, with 1.4 million Ecuadorians escaping poverty in those seven years. High unemployment rates, as well as natural disasters, contribute to the country’s poverty rate. Lastly, poverty cycles continue to hold people in poor conditions. I’m praying that while I’m there I’ll be able to work with organizations who are combatting this cycle.
4. Like Colombia, Ecuador is one of the seventeen megadiverse countries in the world, full of rainforests as well as the famous Galapagos Islands. Also, it has active volcanos! Below are some pictures of this beautiful country:
Now some more about me:
In my free time, I enjoy playing the ukulele, photography, learning Spanish, and hiking.
My favorite current artists are Passenger, Tow’rs, and the Collection.
One day (maybe after the race?!) I want to work for an international non-profit organization, but I have no idea what that actually looks like for me or where I want to work.
Some lessons teaching abroad has taught me include persistence, creativity, positivity, and above all, FLEXIBILITY. I definitely expect to use all of these qualities on the Race!
Finally, a bible verse that has been my favorite for about two years now is Isaiah 54:10:
Thanks for reading! Peru is next!
To Him be the glory,
-Anna
