Reduce Work Hours for Ecuador's Street Children

Diana, a young mother, who has worked in the market for more than eight years, first started receiving help from UBECI when she was pregnant with her now 5-year old daughter. Since that time her daughter has learned writing and reading skills and some English. Just as important, she has learned to sing and play and has had a valuable and needed break from working in the market. UBECI will continue to support this child and family until she graduates from high school as they have done for hundreds of other children and families.

Melany, who is 11 years old and has been participating in the program for several years said that the help she received with her homework in addition to receiving school supplies helped her stay in school along with a much needed break from her work in the market. Melany plans to continue to use the services of UBECI to help her complete high school.

UBECI staff and volunteers continue to go to six different markets in Quito, five days a week to provide the street and at-risk children of Quito a structured break from their 12 hour work days in the markets. In September and October children between the ages of 3 and 18 received lessons in educational subjects such as geometric shapes and primary colors alongside self-esteem lessons teaching how to get along with people and family members, and to positively express their needs. Each day the staff and volunteers carry heavy canopies, mats, play and school equipment on the crowded buses of Quito, riding up to an 45 minutes to get to the market. They set up a school in a parking lot or field next to the market. Children either arrive on their own or staff go around the stalls in the market to pick up the younger children and sometimes even younger siblings who need attention while their older sibling participates in Play, Do and Learn. The children not only get a break from work, but the help they need to enroll and stay in school, leading to an opportunity for a much better life.

Although UBECI has come close to meeting our fundraising goal, we are slightly behind schedule in the amount of funds raised and the number or recurring donors achieved. We are looking for more recurring donors, starting in December when Global Giving matches the first month's donation after three months of recurring donations. The additional funds received at the end of the year will be used to maintain the current programs into the coming year and to help with other needs, such as replacing damaged toys and sports equipment for the children, extra gifts for Christmas, and more birthday gifts. We greatly appreciate your past support and so do the children we serve in the market. 

Links:

• Ubeci Web Site
• Ubeci Facebook Page