About the size of the state of Colorado and situated on the equator, Ecuador has some of the most diverse geography, climate and natural species in the world. From the Amazon rainforest, to the Andean highlands, to the tropical coast and offshore Galapagos Islands, Ecuador is a beautiful country. Once at the heart of the Inca Empire, Ecuador has seen a major shift from a traditional agrarian society since the discovery of oil in the 1960s.
Unfortunately, oil has brought problems along with wealth to this diverse country. Resulting inflation, urbanization, foreign debt, and conflict over resources have caused significant problems. The road to stability and economic equality has proved elusive.
CRWRC has been working in Ecuador since 1983. This work is primarily with the indigenous people of Ecuador, who make up nearly 30 percent of the population. Historically, these people have been (and continue to be) discriminated against, so it is difficult for them to realize basic opportunities. Eighty-eight percent of the indigenous population face severe poverty, and the present economic situation (adoption of the US dollar, high inflation, low prices for agricultural produce and reduced exports) is especially critical in this respect. Most people are living in the marginal lands - in the mountains and jungle areas of Ecuador- where each family has one or two hectares (about five acres) of land. Because of the large families, many have migrated to the cities, but, being under-educated, they can find only very low paying jobs and many find themselves begging. CRWRC's work includes partnerships with four Indigenous Associations. Focusing on health, income generation, diaconal training, agriculture, literacy, and justice, CRWRC continues to provide avenues to hope.
Fast Facts
Population: 14,573,101 (July 2009 est.)
Area Comparative: slightly smaller than Nevada
Literacy rate: 91%
Life expectancy: 75.3 years
Population below poverty line: 38.5%
Gross Domestic Product per capita: $7,500 (2008 est.)
Religions: Roman Catholic 95%, other 5%
Languages: Spanish (official), Amerindian languages (especially Quechua)
(From the World Factbook. Click here for more information on Ecuador)
Partners
Association of Evangelical Indigenous People of Pichincha
(Asociación de Indígenas Evangélicos de Pichincha – AIEP)
Through AIEP, CRWRC works with communities in Pichincha province of Ecuador. This indigenous population lives high in the mountains and has often been un-reached by government services and programs. Together, AIEP and CRWRC are helping farmers to adopt better practices in order to improve and increase their food production and income. This is done in partnership with the Central University of Ecuador, which sends fourth-year undergraduate students to the indigenous communities to address needs that the farmers themselves identify. These agronomy students help the local people establish demonstration plots and greenhouses. AIEP and CRWRC also train local deacons to understand community transformation so that they can identify and respond to needs in the community. AIEP and CRWRC also have a program with the Provincial Directorate Bilingual Education whereby local trainers, fluent in Quichua and Spanish, teach the illiterate members of their communities. As a result, literacy centers are being equipped and 400 community members are learning to read and write.
Association of Evangelical Indigenous People of Tungurahua
(Asociación de Indígenas Evangélicos de Tungurahua - AIET)
Through AIET, CRWRC is responding to the needs of Tungurahua province of Ecuador. As in Pichincha, the people of Tungurahua live high in the mountains and do not have access to many government services or programs. Together, AIET and CRWRC are training farmers to improve their agricultural techniques, increase their food production, and improve the quality of their livestock. As in Pichincha, this program includes cooperation with Central University, whereby undergraduate students undertake research projects and promote soil improvement techniques such as crop rotation and organic fertilizers. AIET and CRWRC also train church leaders to identify and respond to community needs. This includes a program that teaches business principles, accounting, and other skills to community members and offers them loan opportunities. There is also a growing literacy program, and initiatives to promote justice education, including women’s rights.
Association of Indigenous Women of Chimborazo
(Asociación de Mujeres Indígenas de Chimborazo "LA MINGA")
Through LA MINGA, CRWRC is helping women in Chimborazo province learn business skills and accounting. These women are then able to take small loans from group savings to invest in a small business or purchase livestock. When these loans are repaid, additional funds are available for other community members. CRWRC only recently began this partnership with LA MINGA, and other programs will be introduced as needs are identified.
Evangelical Federation of Kichwa Nationality of Napo
(Federación Evangélica de Nacionalidad Kichwa de Napo - FENAKIN)
Through FENAKIN, CRWRC is helping the indigenous people of Napo province transform their communities in the tropical rainforest in the vicinity of the Napo River, a tributary of the Amazon. This includes training church leaders to identify community needs and plan a ministry of transformation. Community health promoters have been trained, and continue to learn as a group to promote nutrition, sanitation, and health in various villages. CRWRC also helps FENAKIN run literacy centers in three communities, to teach community members basic reading and writing skills.
Partner’s Worldwide
Together with Partners Worldwide, CRWRC is helping small groups of business people meet together for mutual support, fellowship, Bible study, and training. These sessions focus on reconciliation and restoration, in the hopes of transforming the business community and fostering Biblical values in business.
Rob and Betty Wood
Betty (Roldan) joined CRWRC in 1973. She is a graduate of the University of Chile with a Masters degree in Public Health. She did community development work with CRWRC in Honduras, Mexico and Belize before moving to Ecuador in 1993.
While in Belize Betty met Rob, a graduate of Edinburgh University, Scotland, who was then factory manager in a citrus processing plant. They married in December 1995 and Rob then went to Ecuador to work as a volunteer with CRWRC. Today, Rob serves as the Justice and Service Learning Coordinator for CRWRC’s Latin America Ministry Team. Rob & Betty live in Quito.
EMAIL: crwrc@accessinter.net
Staff Newsletters
Take time to read a staff newsletter - direct from the field!
Wood_Oct09.pdf
Wood_April 2009.pdf
Wood_July 2008
Wood_March 2008
Wood_December 2006
Wood_October 2006
Wood_March 2006
Wood_September 2005