Kelly McCosh of Lewiston was among the 18 members of Tandana Foundation’s staff and board of directors who traveled to Ecuador as part of the foundation’s year-long celebration of its 10th anniversary.

McCosh is a member of Tandana’s Advisory Council Medical Direction Committee.

The foundation does work in Ecuador and Mali. Trip participants got an opportunity to see the impact that Tandana’s work has had on rural communities, work alongside community members on community projects and celebrate Tandana’s milestone with local friends.

The group stayed at a hotel in the city of Otavalo and spent its days visiting communities that have partnered with Tandana over the years.

The group worked alongside community members on various projects in the communities it visited. In Muenala, participants helped plant trees to promote reforestation and then joined in a community lunch. In Quichinche, they planted ornamental flowers and bushes at the school garden, and toured one of the health centers Tandana partners with during its Health Care Volunteer Vacations.

They helped paint the community center in Cutambi. After painting, everyone attended a service presided over by a local shaman, who blessed the space. After the service, they enjoyed a community lunch. Community members and participants cleaned mud from the gutters along the main road in Agualongo.

The trip was filled with numerous celebrations in honor of Tandana’s 10th anniversary. In Tangali the group participated in a celebration at the community school. Community members in Quichinche put together a grand carnival of student presentations involving dances, speeches and music performances.

A final 10th anniversary party was held in Panecillo on the last day of the trip. This festivity included dancing, food and speeches. Along with the celebrations held in the communities, individuals who collaborated with Tandana through the years joined the group for dinner and shared their stories about working with the foundation.

The group also took time to see some of the region’s landmarks and natural wonders. Members visited the world-renowned Otavalo market, the equator and Condor Park. They made a traditional Ecuadorian meal at Samyanuy Cooking School and visited the hot springs in Tangali.

FMI: www.tandanafoundation.org.