ABout me
My name is Antonio Galarza, I am 17 years old and I was born in Quito Ecuador. I have lived in Ecuador all my life and I love it. Ecuador has been a home for me and my family for many years. I live with my parents, two younger brothers, and a younger sister. I am really close to my family and have many close friends at school, this has been an important part of my whole life. I must say that one of the only other things that have had such a big impact in my life is soccer. I have played it since I can remember and it is a passion of mine. It has taught me many things including how to cooperate with others and perseverance. As of right now, I train every day I can and it brings joy to my life.
Community service has been a big part of my life both inside and outside of school. Since I was little my mother has always been a big fan of helping those in need and she would always take me with her to help her whether it was in the small daycare she held for those in need or giving materials to schools in the poorer parts of Ecuador. On the other hand in school, we have had two major projects. First, helping the abuelitos which is a group of older people in need of help and second constructing houses in Chirinche an area affected by the earthquakes that Ecuador has suffered. The more I have been involved in community service the more I’ve noticed how it makes me feel happy to help others.
Once I heard of Beyond Lagartococha I was completely intrigued. It seemed so wonderful to me that someone was helping with the education of the Secoya Indigenous group, that I had to do something to join them. Since I have been accepted Beyond Lagartococha has been a life-changing experience which has demanded me to really go out of my way to help in things like flee markets and fundraisers. I love being part of this project and be able to work with such a marvelous group to help those who are in need of help.