Ecuador
fighting poverty in the communities that need us most
POPULATION
17.3 Million
CAPITAL
Quito
CURRENCY
United States Dollar
DID YOU KNOW?
The lush Galapagos Islands are part of the Republic of Ecuador.
Our work in Ecuador
In communities like Ecuador, we invest in the lives of children and youth to build the healthy environments they need to find a path out of poverty. With your help, our programs can make an impact on their lives and help them envision a future they never thought possible. Below are some of the challenges facing children in Ecuador and the ways we work to create lasting change in their communities.
Learn more about our programs
Malnutrition
CHALLENGE
According to the 2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey, chronic child malnutrition was 23% in Ecuador.
SOLUTION
As part of a greater effort to improve children’s health and nutrition, our staff implemented a vibrant Family Vegetable Gardens program. Children and parents tend their own gardens, grow nutritious foods for the family, and save money on groceries.
23%
chronic child malnutrition in Ecuador
The importance of nutrition
Malnutrition and undernourishment in childhood can lead to numerous long-term difficulties later in life including low academic performance and early school-desertion. A child suffering from malnutrition has lasting effects including a weakened immune system which may make them more susceptible to disease.
Generational poverty
CHALLENGE
Poverty that has persisted for generations in Ecuador has led to approximately 70% of children living in poor conditions. Children born into poverty don’t have the skills, resources or confidence needed to break the cycle and it continues unless we stop it.
SOLUTION
Our programmatic, long-term approach gives children the skills they need to envision a future they never thought possible. We focus on life-changing benefits including medical and dental care, educational support, life-skills training and job-placement assistance after graduation.
70%
of children living in poor conditions
The importance of starting early
We believe ending poverty means focusing on children and starting early. By giving children the tools, support and hope they need to create lasting change in their lives, we can help them forge a path out of poverty and end generational poverty in their community.
Unemployment
CHALLENGE
Staggering unemployment and underemployment exacerbate the problems of dealing with poverty — at both a personal and national level. Youth entering the job market lack the education and life skills needed to find even basic jobs. As of December 2019, only 38.8% of the population in Ecuador had what was deemed adequate employment.
SOLUTION
The HOPE Scholarship program helps youth continue their education at the college level or in vocational programs to set them up for success in the real world. The Into Employment® program provides crucial job-training skills and placement opportunities to help youth secure employment.
38%
obtained adequate employment
The importance of employment
Children and youth can not create a path out of poverty without finding stable, long-term employment. Many children in our program don’t have the basic skills to begin an employment search. How do you fill out a résumé? Where do you look for jobs? How do you speak to an employer? Our employment readiness programs prepare youth to find employment and create a future for themselves they never thought possible.
Education
CHALLENGE
Inadequate education drastically reduces the effectiveness of all other solutions to eradicating poverty. Overcrowded schools and overwhelmed teachers and parents often lead to children falling behind and being unable to catch up.
SOLUTION
With training and supervision provided at our community centers, our bright, engaged youth serve as tutors for children who want and need assistance with math and language skills. Our community centers provide critical educational resources, such as books, computers and internet access for children and youth to focus on their studies.
5,000
Sponsored children receive life-changing services at community centers
The importance of education
When we reduce barriers to education, we set children up to thrive. Access to education reduces the likelihood of a child’s involvement in gangs or drugs, and lowers the number of teen pregnancies. Education leads to healthier childhoods and, ultimately, to greater economic prospects as adults.
Team Ecuador
From hard-working staff to dedicated volunteers to smart and focused youth, it’s the people who are creating change in Ecuador. Meet the team working to end poverty for good.
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Agency director - Guayaquil -
CI teen -
Volunteer -
CI grad -
Agency director - Quito -
Community Center coordinator -
Volunteer
Your support is crucial to our programs
Are you ready to create change in Ecuador?
Search for a child ready for sponsorship.
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- Waiting the longest
- Age
- First Name
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18 years old Waiting 64 days Ecuador
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16 years old Waiting 72 days Ecuador
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16 years old Waiting 64 days Ecuador
Community centers
Our 67 community centers worldwide are hubs for activity and achievement as well as safe havens for children in our programs. See what’s happening at our community centers.
Phelan-Emmett Community Center
Located in Argelia Alta, Quito, this center provides life-changing services, programs and benefits to 5,000 sponsored kids. It is one of the newest CI centers we’ve built. The state-of-the-art facility includes medical and dental offices, a pharmacy, youth center, computer lab, library, outdoor playground and multisport court.
Want to visit your child?
Meet your special kid and see firsthand how we’re helping children across the globe break free from the cycle of poverty!
