Today was quite an adventure. In the morning, the other YouthSpark Challenge for Change winners and I went to the Corporación Microsoft Del Ecuador S.A.. 

At the Microsoft Ecuador Headquarters office in Quito, we met the Ecuador team to further discuss our projects, learn about Microsoft projects underway in Ecuador, and tour the office. We were also greeted by a team from Ecuador who won the Microsoft Imagine Cup. The team discussed some of the struggles they faced in beginning their own startup projects for change. Their advice to us was to be persistent in our endeavors to spark change. After the visit, I feel more invigorated about my project, Science for Success and have a clearer idea of how Microsoft technology will be incorporated.  It was also interesting to hear the ideas my fellow winners have to further their projects - all so amazing!

Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change Winners:

 With Microsoft Ecuador team:

Global Microsoft YouthSpark Challenge for Change winners with the Global Microsoft Imagine Cup winners:

Following the visit to the Microsoft office, we met up with the Me to We travelers and went to Quito's Historic Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the site, we learned about Ecuador’s colonial past and contemporary struggles. A visit to the Equator and some experiments with gravity completed the historical tour.

 Yikes - head shrinkings!

 Me to We group photo:

Gravity at the equator:

Tomorrow we travel deep into the rainforest - anticipating the Amazon.