Ecuador - Day 4

Liane, Karen, Brian, Janet, Steve & Renato

For our second project visit, we went to the Pulingui Student Center, connected with the Church Verbo Pulingui (EC420).  Yesterday's visit was a glimpse of Compassion's Child Development through Sponsorship Program (CDS) but today we were able to experience their Child Survival Program (CSP).  This program includes 40 women who are either pregnant or have a child from infancy to the age of 3.  We were greeted by them on a rather cold and rainy Monday, and were each given a rose.

Like yesterday, there were greetings and introductions, singing and dancing, all for us.  And there were even games - having fun has no age limit!  We heard more about the CSP - there are 2 ladies who make home visits to 20 moms each week for 3 weeks of the month.  The fourth week is spent planning for the next 3 weeks.  Development - throughout the pregnancy and early childhood - is closely monitored and if outside resources are needed, for example a pediatrician, the project makes sure that happens and pays for any medication, etc.

After serving lunch, we divided into 5 groups (my group is pictured above) for home visits.  The project people felt bad for us, as it was a cold day (even though we are Canadians!) and gave us each a toque and scarf to keep us warm on our travels (gotta' love the cow print!).  Our group only had a short walk to Luzmila's house.  Her uncle owns the house

?, Ivonne, Luzmila, Nayeli, ?, Bryan

and she doesn't have access to a field (potentially crops for herself or to sell).  She has no electricity, no running water or toilet.  Her 3 children have 3 different fathers, all of who are not involved in their lives (common in this area).  Her son Bryan had his own room and Luzmila shares the other room with her daughters Ivonne and Nayeli (who is part of the CSP).  Compassion makes a difference in their lives but you have to wonder - how is such poverty still present in our world?

We all gathered together at the church before leaving to give the project some gifts.  I still

Thanks for taking this picture Steve!

 had about 50 Threads of Hope bracelets (threadsofhope.com.ph) from my time with YWAM and since there were 40 moms plus staff, I gave them to the project.  I explained that moms from the other side of the world had made them so they could provide for their children and not sale them into sexual slavery.  My hope was that is would encourage these women to continue to persevere as they try to make a better life for their children.