Ecuador
Compassion started working in Ecuador in 1974. Today, there are over 97,500 children registered at 281 child development centres.
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Snapshot of Ecuador
76
years is the average life expectancy
13%
lack access to safe water
64
mothers die from pregnancy related causes per 100,000 births
Ecuador made big economic gains in the second half of the 20th century and many people benefited. Yet millions still live in extreme poverty, with indigenous and minority groups the most disadvantaged.
In recent times, this progress has come under threat and even been reversed. In fact, the country’s National Institute of Statistics and Census reported that Ecuador saw an increase in poverty from 21.5 per cent to 24.5 per cent—and extreme poverty increased from 7.9 per cent to 9 per cent—in the first six months of 2018.
Since 2015, Ecuador has received more than 1.2 million refugees from Venezuela, as well as some from neighbouring Colombia. The UNHCR estimates that up to 5000 people arrive at the border daily, most hungry, vulnerable and desperate. Many of them pass through the country on their way to Peru, but a rising proportion are choosing to stay. Despite its reputation as Latin America’s top recipient of refugees, Ecuador is struggling to cope and new entry restrictions imposed this year have effectively closed the border to many.
President Lenin Moreno took office in 2017 after winning a run-off election in controversial circumstances. He campaigned on a platform of financial accountability in government and proposed new programs to provide better housing for the poorest sections of the community. Despite some key reforms (such as limiting the number of terms an individual may serve as President) many citizens say their country has gone backwards.
For children, access to education and medical treatment continue to be major hurdles, particularly in rural areas where incomes are lowest and services are not available. The public education system provides free schooling for all children, but the practical problems of covering the costs associated with education—providing books and other learning materials, transport, food, etc—are such that many miss out.
This problem gets worse as the children get older, with many high school students dropping out of school to look for work instead. While this decision can increase their family’s income in the short-term, it can limit the children’s opportunities for higher-paid work later—and even put them in situations where they can be vulnerable to exploitation.
Hunger and malnutrition still affect many children, particularly in rural areas, where ongoing drought and soil degradation are resulting in smaller harvests. Farmers are finding it more difficult to feed their families. The past year has also been especially bad for bushfires in the mountains.
Through all these challenges, the local church is a pillar of strength. Families find strong support to meet their practical, emotional and spiritual needs and look to the future with hope for their children.
Letter from Compassion Ecuador Director Jose Carrasco
Dear Sponsor, Greetings in Jesus’ name! My name is Jose Carrasco. I’ve been privileged to serve as Country Director of Compassion Ecuador since 2016. I was born in Peru. I am married to Laura, and we have two wonderful children, Jose Alonso and Natalia. Thank you for being our partner in this endeavour by loving and supporting your sponsored child.
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Letter from Compassion Ecuador Director Jose Carrasco
Dear Sponsor,
Greetings in Jesus’ name! My name is Jose Carrasco. I’ve been privileged to serve as Country Director of Compassion Ecuador since 2016. I was born in Peru. I am married to Laura, and we have two wonderful children, Jose Alonso and Natalia. Thank you for being our partner in this endeavour by loving and supporting your sponsored child. Your love and care mean everything to their future. Thank you for your generosity.
Compassion has been serving Ecuador for 43 years. God’s faithfulness has allowed us to see results in many lives. We currently have more than 260 child development centres in Ecuador, serving more than 97,000 children and youth. Their development is consistent, due to the sustainability of the program. Its holistic approach brings transformation as the children apply Christian values and healthy behaviours while they’re with their families and in their communities.
Compassion is committed to continue to reach children in areas of extreme poverty in Ecuador. One of the greatest struggles our children face in the public schools and in their neighborhoods is the aggressive approach by street drug dealers. They see children in need as instruments to introduce drugs into their schools and communities. In impoverished areas, it’s common to see parents with a large number of children forced to leave them alone under the care of the oldest child, who is yet a minor, while the parents work to support the family. This situation leaves the children vulnerable to corrupt individuals. This phenomenon is a real threat for these children and their communities.
Although a handful of government medical centres are accessible in many low-income areas, they lack the medicine to treat the people, so families are forced to look elsewhere for medications. Clean, running water is always lacking, and although local vendors sell and deliver it in some areas, families often don’t have the means to buy it.
In the past two years, God has allowed us to see significant movement in impoverished communities where no churches existed. New churches are opening as a result of church-planting efforts in such areas. These new churches have a clear vision to serve in such a way that their presence is causing a stir in their communities. We continue to implement tools and enhance our partnership strategies to serve our children better. The sponsorship program has raised up men and women who are now active leaders in their communities. Many of them are church pastors and staff in our child development centres.
One cannot describe the bond that exists between the sponsor and the sponsored child. We can’t measure the happiness and hope children experience when they learn they will be sponsored and that soon they will receive a letter, a photo, or even a visit. That is why we encourage you to keep in contact with your sponsored child. It is absolutely wonderful to see children celebrating as they receive correspondence from their sponsors. The love and care of a sponsor, expressed in letters, lifts children up in ways you could never imagine.
As we look around and see a new generation of children in need in Ecuador, we are in awe with the realisation of the huge task God has entrusted to us. On behalf of the children of Ecuador, I would like to express my appreciation for your support and prayers. The children registered in our program are blessed, and they are aware that not everyone in their communities has the same opportunity.
It is because of you that they can be valued and loved, learn to walk with Jesus, and become responsible and healthy adults. There are no words to express the gratitude my heart feels for your sponsorship. Your giving has changed the destiny of your sponsored child, and that is priceless! My heart fills with joy as I express my appreciation and recognise your generous giving.
Sincerely in Christ,
Jose Carrasco
Country Director Compassion Ecuador
Emilia’s Chance For Life
One day while playing with her active child Emilia Llugsha, Liliana noticed some strange bumps on eight-year-old daughter’s neck. Seeking an answer, Liliana took her from doctor to doctor. Although many doctors said it was normal, Liliana’s mothers’ intuition told her something wasn’t right. After some time, Emilia was finally diagnosed with leukaemia.
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One day while playing with her active child Emilia Llugsha, Liliana noticed some strange bumps on eight-year-old daughter’s neck.
Seeking an answer, Liliana took her from doctor to doctor. Although many doctors said it was normal, Liliana’s mothers’ intuition told her something wasn’t right. After some time, Emilia was finally diagnosed with leukaemia.
Emilia started chemotherapy in July 2015. The treatment was tough on her small body, giving her tachycardia—an accelerated resting heart rate—and placing her in intensive care.
“The doctors told me she was not going to survive,” says Liliana. “My daughter managed to make it.”
For the remainder of the year, Emilia continued to face a variety of health issues arising from the chemotherapy, including peritonitis—the inflammation of abdominal membranes. Through this struggle, Emilia and Liliana sought comfort in the Compassion program run through the local church.
Alongside providing encouragement and prayer support, Compassion also provided Emilia with supplies that weren’t provided by the hospital including hygiene supplies, clothing, and food baskets to ensure Emilia received adequate nutrition.
By December 2015, there was a light at the end of the previously dark tunnel—Emilia was going to be fine. Her cancer was no longer life-threatening. Emilia has not stopped thanking God for this great miracle in her life. With her future ahead of her, Emilia dreams of establishing a foundation for children with cancer.
“I know I will not relapse, because God is the doctor and every minute that I have left, He is with me,” says Emilia. “I thank God for He gives me life!”
Prayer requests for Ecuador
Pray for Compassion Ecuador’s expansion to help communities that are remote and living in rainforest areas that are difficult to access. In these areas, multiple languages are spoken and the gospel only arrived a few years ago. Local staff ask you to pray for protection over this region and for its people. Pray that the Holy Spirit would open hearts to receive God’s love and use the gospel to help the people’s circumstances.
Pray for Thiago, a registered child in Echeandia. Thiago is facing a severe heart disfunction. He has had one heart surgery in Quito but needs two more surgeries. Doctors said his situation is critical, but local staff believe God is bigger than any disease. Please pray that Thiago will be restored to health very soon and able to return home to his family.
Please pray for Emily, a baby registered with a survival project. She is scheduled for heart surgery in the city of Guayaquil. Please pray that Jesus will be with the doctors and little Emily will be victorious in the surgery.
Please pray for the Fullness of God Beaches Church (EC0570) on the nation’s west coast. They are working to teach skills to the children’s parents. The pastor recognised high levels of unemployment and hopelessness in the community, so the church committed to help educate parents. The church’s desires are to grow and for the community to grow in their knowledge of Christ.
Pray for regions affected by drought, particularly those families who have also been forced to evacuate and devastated by fire. Pray that the churches will be able to support them; pray for rain where it’s needed and for resilience in adapting to changing circumstances.
Praise God for an amazing turnout at the Leadership Congress for Pastors of Compassion Ecuador in August. More than 400 pastors from all over the country gathered in the city of Quito. They reaffirmed their commitment with Compassion International and learned more about child protection. The entire staff of Compassion Ecuador and 93 per cent of all pastors and leaders of the partner churches attended.
Stories from Compassion in Ecuador
Meet the Children Who Don't Exist
When Pamela Loaiza gave birth, she couldn’t afford the fee to register her babies as citizens. Years later, that trap still held her children tight.
8 Powerful Photos of Children's Rooms in the Developing World
These photos are a fascinating, and at times confronting, insight into the lives of children around the world in Compassion’s program.