Los Mercados

There are open-air markets all over Quito, where fruit, vegetables, meat, fish, flowers, grains, baskets, artisan goods, furniture, clothes, coffee, plants, etc. are all sold. Picture this: acres and acres of small “puestos” or stands covered in produce of all colors of the rainbow, bright sun, bustling streets, women selling goods in their indigenous attire, smells of roasting platanos and fresh pineapple filling the air, and vendors yelling things like “¡Manzanas! ¡Cincuenta centavos!”

Upon closer look, there are tons of kids in the markets as well, sitting patiently with their parents who are selling produce. Many times I’ve seen a little baby sleeping under a table of fruit while their mother works, or little girls bagging dozens of eggs for customers. The kids are usually very dirty- a result of working in the markets with their parents day after day. Rosy, bright cheeks, tan, olive-colored, weathered skin, big brown eyes, wearing colorful hand-made hats and sweaters made of wool- these kids are absolutely beautiful… and heart-breakingly accustomed to working eight hour days with their parents without the chance to play, often missing school.

UBECI, our partner organization, runs a program in the markets several times a week. I’ve had the chance to go twice so far. At 8:30 in the morning, we meet at the UBECI office in South Quito, collect supplies (which includes a temporary tent that we set up in the markets, cardboard for the kids to sit on, soap and water for the kids to wash their hands and face with, and lots of colored pencils and paper). From there, we take a bus to whatever market we’re working in that morning, usually a 30-45 minute journey. As soon as we enter the markets, the kids (who now recognize the UBECI workers and volunteers) come running toward us from their parents’ stands yelling “¡Aqui! ¡Vengo!” (I’m here! I’m coming!).

We set up the temporary tent and then go collect the rest of the children for their hour-and-a-half of singing, painting, playing games and just being kids. It’s the sweetest thing to walk up to a fruit stand, see a little 4-year-old girl next to her mother washing grapes, say something like, “Good morning Jaqueline! Do you want to come play today?” see her face just light up, take her tiny hand and walk to the tent where the other kids are already playing and singing. It’s a lot of fun, and the kids absolutely love it. I can’t wait to go again.


drawing pictures of family

mother with her baby at the markets

Seth and kids at the market

Zak and kids at the market