fundación latitud

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Gwyn Reniers

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Maggie Reniers

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David Cachimuel

Number one on Gwyn's bucket list has been to live in another country, learn another language, and meet people who do amazing things. This has taught life lessons in patience, letting go of ego, not having expectations, and listening rather than talking. Developing a new cultural identity is difficult and Gwyn uses this as a driving concept when teaching English. She knows it is not enough to simply translate words, but rather works to help students communicate their ideas the best they can.  With a background in Mental Health Therapy, Acupuncture and Western Medicine, Gwyn makes up for her lack of experience in teaching English through connection and breaking down barriers.

A college trip to Ecuador during her freshman year set Maggie on a course that changed her life. Originally visiting to study environmental science, she discovered her love of all things Ecuadorian. She returned to the States, changed her major to Spanish, and later earned her Master’s in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL). She returned to Ecuador after her Spanish degree and fell in love with Otavalo and the lovely hotel now called Casa Latitud. Her strong belief in the value of education is the foundation for everything she does, and she feels strongly about the value of opportunity.

David Cachimuel, an Otavalo Kichwa, took advantage of the same sort of opportunity that our foundation strives to offer. He was given a chance to study through Tandana Foundation’s scholarship program, allowing him to graduate with a bachelor’s in Social Work with an emphasis on scholarship program management. He brings to Fundación Latitud a personal and cultural perspective that allows him to empower and mentor a new generation of Ecuadorians.