REFLECTIONS ON ADAPTING A COMMUNITY-BASED LEARNING MODEL TO DIGITAL PLATFORMS

In 2012, the Ozanam Scholars Program organized its inaugural trip to Morona Santiago, Ecuador, and established an ongoing partnership with four Indigenous Shuar and mestizo communities in the Limon Indanza region. What began as a service and research trip driven by principles of global citizenship and Vincentian service has since evolved into an accredited academic service-learning course under the interdisciplinary minor in Social Justice: Theory and Practice in the Vincentian Tradition.

Layering on these principles, the course explores the intersection of anthropological theory, applied research methods, and practice in sustainable community partnerships. Traditionally implemented as an experiential learning course where faculty, administrators, students, and community partners work together over a two-week period in Ecuador, this year has challenged the course to consider its driving principles and translate them into a digital space.

We knew not every detail of the experience could be substituted, both in terms of student development and sustaining the community partnership. While there is no replacing the relationships built or perspective gained through in-person dialogue and communal work, we believe the pandemic offered a new opportunity to reimagine the partnership and test strategies to strengthen dialogue between the Ozanam Scholars Program and Ecuador-based community partners.

Together with our community partners, we reflected on the key elements of the experience—cultural exchange, community dialogue, sustainable partnership, and fair-trade learning—and whether they could feasibly be adapted into virtual learning opportunities that were mutually beneficial to the Ozanam Scholars and participating community members alike. In coordination with community leaders and Shuar educators, including, Franklin Antunish, Director of Velasco Ibarra Elementary School, and Carlos Chiriap, Director of the Unidad Educativa de Yunganza, an adapted strategy was developed that centered on critically reflective dialogue, mutual knowledge exchange, and innovative approaches for direct engagement.