Our Programs

SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM

Ecuador's children come from families with very limited resources. Parents are mostly farmers or day laborers and make an average of $150-$200 dollars a month (Note: the currency in Ecuador is the U.S. Dollar). These salaries hardly cover food expenses. Due to significantly low incomes and the increasing cost of living, parents cannot afford to send their children to schools and many times recruit them to work in the farms before they finish the 6th grade. As a result, children are deprived of the education they deserve.

The Ecuadorian government provides free education up to 7th grade, and so they generally stop attending school at this point. Children join the workforce in order to help their parents with however little money they can earn. Project Ecuador provides assistance by covering school expenses and providing educational materials for students who demonstrate academic excellence and commitment. Students are chosen with the help of our Project Coordinators in Ecuador and the selected school officials. Scholarship recipients are expected to maintain high academic standing with a grade average of 18 out of 20 or above (90%) in order to continue to receive aid.

We are currently sponsoring 11 students in various communities in Ecuador. 100% of Scholarship donations go directly to providing uniforms, shoes, school supplies, books, and registration fees for each student.

SHO.net Computer Centers

Strength Hope and Opportunity

Since 2004, we have set up four computer centers in Ecuador in the communities of Tanguarin, Inguincho, Cuichocha, Salinas and Caldera, Valle del Chota. The centers offer basic introductory computer classes and typing, and have become part of all the school's curriculum. SHO.net: Tanguarin, Ibarra. The center serves approximately 110 students from the Francisco Calderon School and was set up in 2004 as the first SHO.NET. SHO2.net: Marco Aurelio Subia School, in Inguincho, Otavalo. There are 136 students in the school, all which are utilizing the computer center. SHO3.net: Cuichocha, Ecuador. Serving 45 students who attend school in the community. SHO4.net: Salinas, Ecuador. The center, equipped with eight computers was set up in the local high school. SHO5.net: Caldera, Valle del chota. Five workstations were donated to the local school and serve 180 students. Although work and funds are still needed to improve the computer centers, our main goal is being accomplished: to introduce and provide the students with this valuable educational tool.

CORE Project

Communities Organized to Rebuild and Empower (CORE) Project began in 2010. In many of the communities we serve, children and their families live in great poverty and in unsafe conditions. It became evident that providing these families with stable housing would affirm their commitment to their children's educational goals. Community leaders assist PE members in selecting the most deserving families who will receive new homes.

Holiday Giving

The holiday season is extremely difficult for those who can barely afford to feed their families. PE believes that no child should be forgotten, especially during the holidays. PE collaborates with local schools in order to deliver bags of candy, cookies and toys to hundreds of children every year. Families receive food baskets made up of rice, sugar, oatmeal, lentils, oil and pasta.