Ashley Nilsen devotes herself to helping Ecuadorean orphans.
"If you want to learn how to have a good attitude in tough situations, just come and spend a few days with these kids," Nilsen said. "I've never met happier, harder working, more respectful or more selfless kids in all my life. Most have lived through harder things already than any of us ever will, and yet they're positive, helpful and loving."
Nilsen, a graduate of Wood River High School, works for the Orphanage Support Services Organization. The foundation maintains project sites in Cuenca and Quito, Ecuador. Nilsen, 21, of Hailey, recently shared her experiences through e-mail correspondence.
"During my sophomore year of college, I was working and going to school. Everything I was doing was so focused on me. I finally just decided I was ready to do something else for awhile," she said. "I decided to take some time off from school and focus on doing things for other people for a change."
Nilsen arrived in Ecuador in November 2004 to work for eight and a half months as the coordinator and administrative assistant of the Quito facility. The Quito site includes six orphanages: a large orphanage that serves children of all ages, a smaller orphanage, an orphanage for girls, two special-needs sites and a hospital for children.
Primarily, Nilsen works in the large orphanage, taking care of approximately 30 babies. Each day she changes, bathes, feeds, plays and teaches the children.
"We give each of (the kids) one-on-one time everyday, which is something they miss out on, growing up in a 'family' of 30 kids," Nilsen said. "There are other workers and nuns, taking care of other things like laundry, cooking and cleaning. They're all wonderful people and love the kids, but they just don't have the time to give the kids the love and attention they need, so we're here to fill in where they can't."
Preparation for her Ecuadorean duties began with guidance from Wood River High School teachers. During high school, she learned responsibility, organization, goal setting, and of course, Spanish. She also noted that she set her goal of volunteering in an orphanage while taking a "Psychology of Success" class taught by Midge Patzer at Wood River High School.
With her goal now a reality, Nilsen encounters hurdles from physical demands to emotional strains.
"I decided to focus on what I could do and be for these kids, rather than worrying about what someone else did or didn't do for them. It's still hard to see and hear those situations, but I just do what I can and love them as much as I can—because that's the only thing I can change for them," Nilsen said.
The children express their appreciation through affection, Nilsen said.
"Seeing the kids' excited faces and having them tell you they 'love you' makes you realize your impact, however small it may be, that you have on their lives and that they will forever have on yours. I learn from them everyday."
The Ecuadorean orphanage facilities are in need of support to pay for teacher salaries, medical supplies, books, school supplies, clothes and food. Donations can be made to OSSO, P.O. Box 345, Rexburg, ID 83440.
Ashley Nilsen brings smiles to the Ecuadorian orphans she works with in Quito, Ecuador.
