Good morning!  My name is Ellie, I'm currently the Chief Communications Director of GenDev and I will be the one traveling to Quito on this inaugural trip.  At the moment I am in the Cleveland Hopkins International Airport awaiting the first flight to Houston, eager to finally arrive in Ecuador.  I spoke to Alicia (our contact at and director of Casa Victoria) yesterday and will be meeting her at the airport in Quito.  On this trip I plan to spend time at Casa Victoria, getting to know the program, students, and staff and build a relationship with them.  I will then be meeting with the staff interested in Alicia's idea to build a cafe for the Casa Victoria students to operate, enabling them to learn how to start and run a business.  We hope to be able to aid in the funding of this project through loans.  I will also be traveling to village 235, an agricultural village where seeds, ox, plows, and school supplies are needed.  Direct micro loans can hopefully be given here within the year!  About an hour left until boarding, more updates to come from the ground in Quito!