Less work and more education for children in Quito

Twenty Years of Dedication

This year marks a profound milestone for ViaNiños and UBECI, as we celebrate 20 years of financial support for UBECI’s work in the market communities of Southern Quito. Currently, UBECI’s comprehensive educational and healthcare programmes provide support to over 300 children, playing a crucial role in breaking the cycle of poverty through the power of literacy, medical attention, and consistent emotional support.

As drug gangs, extortion and contraband have sadly become a fixture in Ecuador’s urban landscape, the country is navigating significant security challenges that are reshaping daily life.

While the bustling stalls of the markets of Chillogallo, Guamaní and Sangolqui’ are the source of livelihood for the families of the children UBECI supports, the environment inherently leaves the children of vendors in a precarious position. The sights and sounds of a thriving market often mask the underlying vulnerability of minors spending their formative years on the pavement. Thanks to UBECI’s efforts, we are successfully reclaiming these childhoods—ensuring these children have a space to play, sing, draw and learn instead of the uncertainty of a street corner.

In recent months, our field teams have documented a noticeable increase in the number of children present in the markets. This influx has prompted UBECI to initiate a formal qualitative assessment to better understand the socio-economic drivers behind the trend.

In immediate response to this growing need, we have intensified the frequency of our playgroups within these markets. By increasing our physical presence, we ensure that as more families arrive at the markets to seek a living, their children are in a safe, supervised environment, for at least part of the day, where play and learning remain the priority.

As previously shared, UBECI’s mission has expanded to include their families, particularly mothers. UBECI is currently spearheading an initiative to help young mothers transition into more professional careers. They are actively collaborating with local technical institutes to negotiate scholarships and significant fee discounts, specifically focusing on vocational training in fields such as nursing. By empowering these mothers with professional credentials, we are securing a more stable financial future for their entire household.

After a challenging six-month hiatus during which international volunteer arrivals ceased due to the country’s internal security climate, UBECI recently welcomed a dedicated group of volunteers from the United States.

Their impact was felt immediately. In addition to working with UBECI’s playgroups at the markets, these volunteers have been helping to rehabilitate the physical environments where UBECI’s playgroups meet. Through their efforts in deep cleaning, repair work, and painting, they have transformed utilitarian, rundown spaces into bright, dignifying centres of creativity that the children are thrilled to visit.

Your contributions are the foundation upon which these 20 years of collaboration between ViaNiños and UBECI stand, allowing the children of Quito’s markets to dream of a life beyond the stalls. Thank you.