Quito, Ecuador

Education/Community Development

Although situated within the city limits of the capital city of Quito, Ecuador, the intense poverty of the community of Carmen Bajo is something you would expect in a much more remote location.  Dirt floors are common and running water is a scarce luxury.  Houses do not have foundations and are routinely washed away by the downpours of the rainy season.  Unemployment in the community is high (roughly 70%), and most jobs that are held are manual labor - maids, factory workers, masons and plumbers.  Although it is a benefit to have employment, this often carries the parents, or sole parent, to distant areas in the city, leaving their children alone.  There are approximately 500 families in the area, with an average of 4 children per household, or roughly 2000 children in the neighborhood.  The church sponsored school is the only one in the area and there are no medical facilities at all.

The main goal of the Carmen Bajo project is not only to provide education for the children, but an exceptional education. Another priority is to supplement the education and leadership training of the youth and adults in the community, as most have only graduated from 2nd or 3rd grade.

Would you please help us? We would like to provide education for all those who have the desire, a vision for their future and/or their children’s future.