Free The Children

the issues.

Having worked in Ecuador since 1999, our team has developed close ties with many communities in the country’s Chimborazo province. There, high in the indigenous mountain communities, local people face extreme poverty, lack of education and health care, as well as a constant struggle to farm on the rough, rocky terrain. Additionally, the people of this region face longstanding cultural prejudices due to their indigenous roots. By providing Ecuador’s native communities with education, water, health care and alternative forms of income, these forgotten people are finding hope for a brighter future.

There are approximately 400,000 child labourers in Ecuador.
Almost 40% of Ecuadorians live below the poverty line.
25.8% of Ecuador’s population suffers from chronic malnutrition.
Poverty affects almost 70% of rural communities in Ecuador.

where we work now.

Click here to learn more about Free The Children’s past projects.

san miguel, ecuador

Changing Lives: Meet Mirian

Mirian Cecilia Daquilema is an 11-year-old girl who lives in San Miguel, Chimborazo. Even though she lives only 15 minutes away from the local school, Mirian has only reached Grade 3.

There are several reasons for the delay of her education. For years, her parents’ difficult economic situation prevented the family from covering the cost of her education. She was also unable to attend school since she was required to help her mother at home.

Next year, Mirian will be able to attend school every day. Her parents have realized the importance of education and, with a new school built by Free The Children, there will be enough classrooms and resources to ensure that all the youth of San Miguel have access to education. When not at school, Mirian loves to take the sheep out to pasture. She also enjoys listening to music and playing with her friends.

As soon as she finishes primary school, she wants to attend the local high school, which is located in the nearby community of Guamote. She would also love to learn English and to use a computer. When she grows up, she dreams of becoming either a tailor or a teacher.