World Vision’s photographers traveled around the world this year to tell stories of children and their families. They captured moments of struggle and moments of joy. Here are their favorite photos of 2019 and the stories behind them.
Why World Vision is in Ecuador
In 2018, many of Ecuador’s major media headlines were centered on sexual abuse of children. The year saw a 55 percent increase in reports of sexual violence against children —though high, the number is also a sign that more people have resources to bring abuse issues to light and address the harm. Though the rate of people living in poverty has decreased among the total population, children and adolescents are still the most vulnerable to poverty’s effects. Ethnic inequalities show up strongly in these rates, meaning indigenous children are more likely than others to be living in poverty. Thanks to the generosity of our donors and partners, more than 57,000 children and adolescents in 400 communities throughout Ecuador are being impacted. Programs focused on helping kids build reading habits, identifying and achieving their goals in life, and knowing their rights to protection from violence or abuse. Some teenagers were able to take university admissions tests, thanks to strengthened education. Communities were empowered and equipped with resources to respond well in case of emergencies. We’re also working with Venezuelan migrants, providing them with food, personal hygiene kits, and awareness of their rights to help ease their suffering. This year, we partnered with the national police to train officers in child protection and gender violence awareness. Those staff that were trained by our programs will take the information to thousands more of their colleagues, to benefit even more vulnerable children and families they serve.
We never give up on people
World Vision child sponsorship looks at all the things that prevent children from surviving and thriving in their community, and then works with that community to bring all the pieces of the puzzle together to build a better life for all children. For sponsors, it’s a personal way to show God’s love to a child in need in a life-changing way.
Sponsor a child in Ecuador ❯
Progress in Ecuador
Thanks to the generous support of donors, we’re making great progress toward the well-being of children and their families.
Child Protection and Care
Boys and girls are safe and valued, well cared for by their families, and participating in their communities as agents of transformation.
- World Vision is helping children to feel safer in their communities. Both boys and girls participated in workshops where they learned about their rights and how to prevent child abuse. They also learned how to mentor their peers to pass on these skills.
- Teachers were trained in and adpted better discipline approaches at school, to ensure safer learning environments for children.
Healthy Children and Families
Children and families are well nourished, protected from infection and disease, and have access to essential health services.
- Communities in Ecuador learned how to protect children from disease through trainings on improved hygiene practices, including how to dispose of garbage correctly and wash their hands.
- To help keep children healthy and free of disease, parents attended classes about food and nutrition, where they learned how to provide more balanced meals at home.
Education for Better Lives
Children have opportunities to learn and to develop their talents, young people are equipped for the future, and families and communities support children's education.
- In Ecuador, children are getting support to stay in school and to improve their educational performance through support at home to improve their reading and writing skills, and through parent and community involvement at school events that encourage improved literacy.
Prayer Requests from Ecuador
World Vision's staff in Ecuador are asking us to join them in prayer for the following:
Children will grow up in homes filled with tenderness and love, so they can spread the same love to their own families one day.
The country’s education reforms will be sustained to help children achieve their life goals.
News from Ecuador
Voices
Cooking for Bruno: A holiday recipe for the boy who chose me
What holiday traditions does your family have around a meal? Consider adding a recipe that gives back this year! Check out a recipe suggestion that was inspired by a boy in Ecuador who chose his sponsor this fall.
Voices
The sacred dignity of children through a photographer’s lens
Author and photographer Matthew Paul Turner witnessed 335 children have the opportunity to choose their sponsor through World Vision’s Chosen. See this experience through his lens.
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