Project "Be the change"

Week 6

For this Saturday, July 25, we prepared a different topic for the advice, it was about Etiquette.

We arrived the Cooperativa at 10 o´´clock, a little bit late because the street where is the Cooperativa was closed because of Guayaquil´s Foundation parade.

In the Cooperativa, there were 7 socias waiting for our training and also was a 16 year-old guy, that was a nephew of one of the socias. It was great to see more socias and also other people (socias´s relatives) involved in our trainings and social service.

For this advice, related to Etiquette, we taught the socias the correct ways to introduce others and themselves, the priorities at the moment of introduce two people according to the sex, age and social or profesional status. A lso we taught them the presentation formulas and the attitude that they must have when they are presented. Finally, we finished our Etiquette advice, teaching them the correct sitting posture.

To create a more significant learning, we made some activities with the participants where they had to apply and practice the rules of Etiquette we taught them . Also we gave the some material (copies) of our training.

At the end of our training, the socias were very happy because they asked us a training related to Etiquette since we started to give advices in the Cooperativa. They told us the importance of the Etiquette for them because they said that when they have meetings in the Cooperativa or in other places, most of the times they don´t know what to do or how to behave in this type of situations.

For me, the most important part of this training was when the socias told us that they were grateful with us because of what we have done and taught them.

Project "Be the change"

Week 5

On this Saturday, we had some surprises...there were more socias waiting for our English training, also one of them came with her very cute 4 years-old son, who called Aron.

For this training we decided to teach other phrases related to introductions as: I am...., Nice to meet you.., Nice to meet you to, What is your name..?, etc. ; for teaching this, we showed them, how to write this new phrases, their spanish translation and the pronunciation. Also we make some exercises, where the socias had to make a dialogue with us, using the new phrases and the others that they learned in the other English training. At the beginning they had some difficulties, but then they did it very well !! They loved so much this activity because, when we finished, the socias started to practice some phrases between them.

In my reflection about my social service in the Cooperativa Detodas is that the English trainings, included this one, are an excellent example of service, just for one big reason: When I teach English to the socias, I don't feel superior because I know more than them; when I teach them, I try to make them feel comfortable and I like to promote as my friends, a sense of equality between the socias and us. Our form of leadership is based on the one that is oriented to inspire and assist others. For me this service also is an example of mutualism, because I can help and develop myself by helping others, the socias.

Project "Be the change"

Week 4

On this week, there were the same socias but one of them came with their niece, so we had more participants for our training.

For this week, we planned to teach other topic related to introductions, but we reconsidered to teach a new topic because some socias didn't remember what we had teached them in our last training: Greetings and Introductions.

So this training was a review for the socias in order to enhance their knowledge and clarify certain doubts about our last training.

At the end of this training, I felt very proud for the results, because I noticed that the socias were more confident when they spoke in English ,and now they can greet and introduce themselves, in English, without any problem !!! This, of course, is loftiness for me, because now I know that I can make an important change and contribution in the learning experiences of the socias.

Project "Be the change"

Week 3

On this week, Saturday morning, we arrived at 9 o'clock to the Cooperativa. For my surprise, there where just 4 socias waiting for our english training, I felt a little bit disappointed and sad because there wasn't the same number of socias that came to our firt training. However, we started our training.

For our firt english capacitation, we started with "Presentations" as a topic. We used a book that is from the educational program: "Aprendamos" given by the Municipality of Guayaquil. Our objective in this training was to teach the socias how to salute and introduce themselves in English. I have to emphasize that they didn't know anything about english so, at the first part of the training, was complicated for them, specially the pronunciation. But then, we do some activities that make them practice and encourage what they have learned like a little play in which each socia had to introduced herself. I have to say that I was very proud of them because they do it very well.

For teach the socias the new vocabulary they learned, we write on the board the word in english, the translation in spanish and also the pronunciation. At the end of this training, the socias were very happy because of what they have learned on their first english training. I was happy too and also my friends because we notice that the socias really learned the topic. This was a new but incredible experience as an english teacher !!

Finally I have to say that this training is related to the learning cycle that we learned in our Society and the role of the individual class, because first, we have to study the socias's situation and their needs in order to decide what topic was the best for the first english trainig. Then, we consult each other about the topic in order to plan the activities for the training. Finally, we act, giving the english training to the socias. Also, this training is an example of difussing knowledge because we have a good level of english knowledge and we wanted to share it with the socias.

Reflection about Cognitive Surplus

My personal reflection about this video is that humans were created for be active, that`s why we are the only species capable of thinking and making decisions,this is what we make us be different from others creatures. Unfortunately, some things like lazyness make us be pasive and just consumers in our free time, this means huge losses not only of time, but also represents losses of our potentialities and qualities and the opportunities to improve our lifes and our world. Using our free time to make productive things that impels us to create knowledge and ideas and share those things with others, we are contribuing not only for our own development, but also for society development.

I have to say that this video make me reflect and analyze about my activities and how I spend my free time. Sincerely and unfortunately, I used to be a primarily consumer, most of the times when I was free I spent my time watching tv or sleeping. Now I am trying to be a producer instead of consumer in my free time, by doing productive activities like: reading books, playing my cello, etc. Also, I am more conscious about what I am doing in my social action in the Cooperativa Detodas, I feel good thinking about that on my free time that I have on Saturdays I spend training the socias and of course, contribuing with my society.

Project "Be the change"

Week 2

In this week (Saturday, june 13), my friends and I visit the cooperative Detodas in order to start our advise. We decided to start with: Customer Service, as a topic for the training. For this week, we prepared some material in order to teach the topic like: slides related to Customer Service, some activities in order to make the socias apply and relate the theory of the advice with the practice and also to make them be active during the advice. Also, we bring some snacks to give them at the end of the advice.

When we arrived the cooperative, I have to say that I didn’t expect a great number of participants (socias). But I was wrong. There where 15 socias waiting for our advice!! I was really nervous because there was the first time that I give an advice. Fortunately, the socias made me feel comfortable from the start. First, I introduced myself and I explained again our purpose of the advice: Help the socias to develop themselves, by giving them advice about different topics or subjects, in order to contribute to their business. Then, my friends started to introduced themselves, and so did the socias. Our first activity of the Customer Service advice, was a dynamic called: The puzzle. It consist that each participant received a piece with a mathematical operation in one side, and a part of a phrase in the other side. They had to resolve the operation, and the answer of it was the number of the envelope each one had to open. Inside the envelopes where many questions related to Customer Service that each socia had to answer in front of the other participants. After answering the question, the social had to paste their piece on the board. At the end of the socia’s interventions, there was the following sentence: “La clave del éxito depende solo de lo que podamos dar de la mejor manera posible”. This activity made the socias be more comfortable and active, and also made them express their ideas and points of view about the topic. Also, this activity helped us to know about how much the socias knew about Customer Service, in order to focus the advice in the things that weren’t clear or known by the participants.

Then, we showed the socias some slides of the advice, and explained them some concepts about internal and external customer and the differences between them. Later, we made other activity with the socias, where they had to create a play, representing a problem related with Customer Service and a solution for that, using the concepts from the slides about internal and external customer. I have to say that all the socias participated on this activity and enjoyed it as my friends and me. They integrated the concepts so well that showed us that they really understand what we explained on the slides.


Finally, we showed them in the slides, some tips that the socias could apply to improve the way they relate and serve the internal and external customers in their own business. The tips were very simply but with huge results.

For me, the social action that we done on this week was related to come concepts from the Society and role of the individual class. In my opinion, our advice about Customer Service meant a transformation on the cognitive maps and knowledge of the socias, because when we start the advice, we notice that they didn´t know the difference between internal and external customer and how to treat each one, but at the end of the advice, we prove that the socias change their perceptions about the types of customer, which implies a transformation and development of their knowledge.Also I have to say that this social action (our advice) is related to Investigation of truth, because it implies a thrist that individuals have for knowledge, which shapes moral purpose. I was very surprised because I could see the thrist for knowledge from the socias and their will to learn. The advice looks for learn more things, and to learn more allows the socias make better decisions and act according to what they know and believe and of course, it will contribute to their own development and also their business

Project "Be the change"

Week 1

My first week, doing social action was very interesting. It was Saturday in the morning when I visit with other friends the Cooperativa Detodas in order to start our social project. I have to say that I was very nervous but at the same time, very excited because I was going to meet some socias and explain them what I want to do during my project.

We arrived at nine o’clock. Little by little the socias were getting to the Cooperativa and we started to talk with them about many stuffs: First, we explain them why we were there and our goals : bring support and advice to their business and give them training about some interesting topics in order to contribute to their development. Also we ask them about their experiences as socias, what changes in their lifes they have to face since they became socias and also we talk about their business. There were five socias ( Susana Valenzuela, Mirella Tigrero, Mariana Alcocer, Mavia Zamora and Teresa Garcia) telling us their stories that for me, are a clear and excellent example of perseverance and overcoming. One of the stories that really shock me was Susana’s. She told that their husband never wanted to support to her education and development. She got married very young so she couldn’t finish high school. But when her children became teenagers she decided that was a great time to go back to high school. Unfortunately, her husband wasn’t agree with her idea and started to tell her things that made her lose self-esteem . However, these problems were not an obstacle to have education, so she decided to study without telling anything to her husband and because of that she could reach one of her goals: to graduate. Also she told that the Cooperativa made her realize that she was competent and she could achieve any goal that she has proposed .

After listen their amazing experiences and stories we asked them what kind of subjects or topics they wanted to learn in order to improve their lifes and business, so with these information we could start the training and advice the next week. They told us that they wanted to learn about marketing and customer service, also about English, science computer and etiquette.
The purpose in this meeting was to know about the socias and also to detect their needs in order to direct in a better way our training and advice and give them a real and important support for their business.

For me, this first experience in my social project was related with some things from the Society and the role of the individual class. After we meet the socias, my friends and me started to create a discourse. Seeing the necessities and problems of the socias we started to communicate each other and we studied the problems in order to make decisions about what is the best to teach and what we can do to improve and help the socias´s business. Also I think this experience and project is a good example of discourse on social action because it implies commitment, rigor and discipline from myself. This social action requires an examination and study of the social space, it means where I am going to train the socias; this project can´t be superficial, it has to be important not only for the socias also for me, it has to create significant changes for the women I will advise and in my role as a socially responsible person.

Finally, I have to say that this first experience with the socias of the Cooperativa Detodas, impels, promote and requires two kinds of knowledge: generating knowledge, because I want to resolve the problems and necessities that the socias have in their business and also in their lifes, and application knowledge, which means that I have to apply my knowledge about many issues or subjects in order to teach and contribute to the socias´s business.

Investigation of truth

Our topic this week is investigation of the truth, so why have I asked you to watch videos about diet in order to begin to explore this topic?

The videos about the Diet for a New America series are an introduction to this topic, because they explain some of the consequences when individual’s interests and needs interfere with the welfare of nature, also it reveals the consequences behind the eating habits of many people. And this topic “Investigation of the truth”, is related with it; this unit explains that investigation of truth “is to guide an individual’s twofold purpose”, which is that individuals don´t have to worry only for their own interests but also for the society in a simultaneous way.

What relationships can you find between the videos and the reading?

The relationships between the videos and the reading are: firstly, the human nature has two aspects, the material and the spiritual , and according to the reading “although the material nature is indispensable for existence in this world, if it is allowed to dominate consciousness the consequences are injustice, cruelty and egotism”. In the videos it clearly shows the domination of the material over the spiritual and the consequences of it, for example: it says that Americans eating preference was the meat and because of that many farmers and entrepreneurs decide to increase the amount of meat in the market, by feeding the livestock with grains instead of grass which increase the amount of manure in many lands and the percentage of fat in the meat; this way of breeding and marketing of livestock, has several consequences for the environment and human health including: contamination of water and air, terrible diseases as cancer, diabetes, heart attacks, etc. All of this are the consequences when the material aspect is considered as a priority for humans, as a result of that, it generates injustice and cruelty not only for the nature but also for all the people.

Other relationship is that, according to the reading, for the investigation of reality it is necessary that the vision of human existence, goes beyond the needs and requirements in the daily life; “often the accomplishment of lofty goals requires self-sacrifice, and this becomes possible when one comprehends the purpose of life on this earthly plane of existence”. This statement is showed in the videos, when it says that if people change their diet, be eating less meat and more fruits and vegetables, which means for many Americans a huge sacrifice, they would contribute to their own health and also with the environment, in other words, they would accomplish the twofold purpose


What do these relationships imply about our role as individuals in our society?

These relationships imply about our role as individuals in our society that each of us are responsible for what we choose in our lifes, but also we are responsible and we have to be conscious that every decision we make affects directly to our society and also nature. The relationships show the individual as the responsible for the welfare of the environment and society by its habits of consume. There isn´t more powerful that a human being acting with collective consciousness towards the welfare of life.

Society and the role of the individual

In my opinon, this class provides me some important knowledge in order to contribute in a better way to the society where I live. The importance and benefits of cooperation and also the difference between this term and competition are topics that have been very interesting for me during this class. Now, I am conscious that cooperation is the key for resolve problems and it also impels people to work together to reach their individuals and common goals. Cooperation is an important element to the discourse on social action, which is the best way to give meaning to the role of the individual.

Before I was in this class, my way of thinking was very different. I thought that the problems that are in the society like: poverty, corruption, etc., were situations or problems that only concern our Government. I realize that I was wrong. All of us are responsible for the goods and bad things that happen in the place we live. If we start to think in what is the best for the ones around us instead of thinking only yn our individual interests, we are going to have transformation in our lives, because it will permit to our society to reach a maturity stage.


I would like to know in this class about, that actions make a person be social responsible, what can I do to change selfish thoughts and make them realize the importance of social actions

Cooperativa Detodas

Interviewing two "socias" in the Cooperativa Detodas, was for me a new experience, because I´ve never been so closed with women that have a very difficult life but they are trying to be in a better situation. Unfortunately, we have to ask the questions in the Cooperativa because there wasn´t anybody to take us to the socia´s home, which I had liked more. Also I have to say that I´m so proud to have known these wonderful and hard-working women.

The first "socia" that I interviewed was Olga Angulo, she live in La Floresta. She told me that she knew the Cooperativa because a friend told her that this institution was qualifying the women, so she decided to be part of that; her motivation was to improve herself . She decided to start selling Yanbal´´s products, but now she is selling clothes. Also she told me that when she decided to be a socia she had the support of her family and she did´t have any problem with her decision; Olga has two 13 and 15-year-old children and in two years, she expect to be in a better economic situation and also have her clothes business more stable and much better. Finally she told me that the Cooperativa Detodas changed her life because it gave her an oportunity to growth as a woman and mother. Now she feels more secure about herself and she doesn´t have to depend on anybody.

The other socia was Isabel Quezada, she lived in Guasmo Sur and she knew the Cooperativa because of a neighbor. When Isabel decided to be a socia, she incursioned in trade and decoration, which are the two areas that she really like. Her business is about sell decoration products for home. Isabel told me that when she since she started her business she always had her family and husband support. Her goal in two years is to keep working and still be part of the Cooperativa, because she said that since she was a socia her life changed, Detodas gave her the education and tools for being a better and productive person.

Through this experience I have learned some things that are related to what I have read in the text book. For example: I notice that the people that are behind this institution ( teachers, directors, leaders of private institutions,etc.) are an excellent example of discourse. As the same as a discourse, they are part of a community that communicate share ideas and study a problem, in this case, they study the situation that live many women in our society and they make actions in order to solve this problem, they gave a credit and capacitation to women in order to improve themself.

Finally, other example related to the book and also was very interesting for me is about the practice of an essencial value: the solidarity. In the Cooperativa Detodas, women work together in order to help and support each other, this is related with the process of integration, which means "to unit" and "to fuse together"; the "socias" join together in order to improve their lifes and economic situation. The Cooperativa Detodas is a good example and a sign that our society is going, step by step, to a maturity stage, because they look for the interest and needs of people, in this case, women, instead of think about their own interests like other finantial institutions.