About
History
I am a high school student living in Montclair, NJ, a suburb of New York City, with my Ecuadorean born mother, Iranian born father, and younger sister. I have a been blessed to have extended family all around the world and lucky to have travelled to many places and experienced many cultures, mostly in Europe and Americas.
One place that holds a special place in my heart is Ecuador, since that’s where my grandparents live. When I travel to Ecuador, I often imagine myself living there. A three hour trip in any direction will lead you to see unique communities with different cultures and experience different climates. You can enjoy fresh fruits, delicious cuisine, breathtaking landscapes, and friendly and welcoming people. I then wonder how my life would be different if I had grown up there instead of NJ and that has given me a great deal perspective.
One of the places I really enjoy visiting in Ecuador is the community of Pablo Arenas, a small rural town in the Andes province of Imbabura. Visiting Pablo Arenas has given me many opportunities; I have been a tourist, a foreigner, a member of the community, an organizer, a friend, a teacher, and a student.
In the summer of 2021, with help from Xplorer Ecuador and Montaña de Luz, I started the English Summer Camp for the children of this community with 13 participants. It has since become an annual camp with many eager children who have a blast and see value in attending the camp.
In September 2024 we will launch an online weekly English lessons and virtual tutoring program through this webpage to practice and learn English as a second language. We will also stock the local school library with English books.
Gracias infinitas to the people and companies that believe in youth projects. I am grateful to Montaña de Luz for welcoming us and let us use their wonderful retreat and Xplorer for supporting the intellectual growth of the children. Thank you to the community of Pablo Arenas for letting me be part of it.
It is my hope that one day the children and community of Pablo Arenas know how to speak English in support of the growth of their community.
“Think of giving not as a duty, but as a privilege.”
John D. Rockefeller Jr.
Mission
Teach English to the children of the community of Pablo Arenas to broaden their opportunities while expanding the possibilities to study or work with nationals or internationals or start their own entrepreneurships with social impact in a tourist growing area.
Our Team
At XplorerKid, we love helping children improve their language skills, while having fun exploring the world of English.
En XplorerKid, nos encanta ayudar a los niños a mejorar sus habilidades lingüísticas, mientras se divierten explorando el mundo del inglés.
Interviews
Through these series of interviews, we will be able to learn from the interviewees perspectives and experiences.
A través de esta serie de entrevistas, podremos conocer de primera mano las perspectivas y experiencias de los entrevistados.
Hooman Jalili
Communications Manager
New York, USA
Hamilton Quilca
Landscaper - Resident
Pablo Arenas, Ecuador
Belen Rivadeneira
Coffee Supply Chain Consultant
Florida, USA
Patricio Villegas
Diplomat, Consulate of Ecuador
Murcia, Spain
Deborah Zafman
Montclair Sanctuary Alliance
New Jersey, USA
Andrew Tulman
English Teacher
Quito, Ecuador
Ariana Tulman
English Teacher Assistant Volunteer
Quito, Ecuador
Pablito Gonzales Quintana
Montaña de Luz Representative
Pablo Arenas, Ecuador
Breidy
Summer Camp Partcipant
La Victoria, Ecuador
Sarela y Juliana
Summer Camp Participant
La Victoria, Ecuador
Lennin
Summer Camp Partcipant
La Victoria, Ecuador
Riana
Summer Camp Partcipant
Cahuasqui, Ecuador
Odalis and Itzel
Summer Camp Partcipant
La Victoria, Ecuador
Eliseo
Summer Camp Partcipant
Pablo Arenas, Ecuador
Jennifer Barker
Immigration Attorney
New Jersey, USA
Veronica Rojas
Participant's Parent
Pablo Arenas, Ecuador
Adrianne Riofrio
Clinical Social Work/Therapist, MSW, LCSW
New Jersey, USA
Paola Diaz
DEIA, Banking Regulation
Washington, USA
Mercedes Duchicela
MPH, MA. Senior Program Coordinator. USA Center for Rural Public Health Preparedness
Texas, USA
Masiel Rodriquez-Vars
Executive Director · Montclair Fund for Educational Excellence MFEE
New Jersey, USA
Artículo English Summer Camp 2024
Agencia EFE
Joven estadounidense lidera campamento de inglés que promueve igualdad y los sueños en Ecuador
Rene Vinueza
Agronomical Engeenier
Pablo Arenas, Ecuador
Cristian Vivero
Participant's Parent
La Victoria, Ecuador
Glroria Paz
Xplorer Ecuador - President
Quito, Ecuador
Erik Olsson
Volunteer Teacher
Sweden
Jose Celis
Principle of Passaic High School
Passaic, New Jersey
John RioFrio
Latino Studies Professor at William & Mary University
