This is an update on the Mushuk Yuyay school feeding program that FOE supported last year.

The FOE funds were to be used in 3 schools.  400 children were provided with breakfasts and participated in the educational activities.

The program will last through June 2017 due to the assistance of FOE donations. Below is a recent video and some photos from the project.

Objectives 

The Healthy Children, Healthy Futures Program is working with several indigenous Cañaris community schools for the purposes of:

• Learning the value of nutritious traditional food such as quinoa and amaranth.  For example, one cup (2.4 dl, 245 g) of cooked amaranth grain (from about 65 g raw) provides 251 calories and is an excellent source (20% or more of the Daily Value, DV) of protein, dietary fiber, and some dietary minerals.  Amaranth is particularly rich in manganese (105% DV), magnesium (40% DV), iron (29% DV), and selenium (20% DV.) Also cooked amaranth leaves are an excellent source of vitamin A, vitamin C, calcium, manganese, and foliate. Other home grown crops are barley.
• Learning how to prepare and serve the foods such as barley or quinoa soup, amaranth, preparation of quimbolitos (traditional Ecuadorian pastries) made of corn flour and wrapped in achira leaves (ancient Andean crop plant with edible leaves).
• Learning how to plant these traditional foods through the use of demonstration plots.

Picture Album:

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From the project’s website:

Mujeres Cambia (Women Are Changing) is a social venture located in Ecuador whose mission is to provide opportunities for low-income women to benefit themselves and the environment through making and selling products made of recycled materials.

Mujeres Cambia members work towards change within their families, their community, and the world. All products are made by hand out of recycled materials and are priced to ensure that each artist is paid a fair wage.

Living in the coastal fishing villages of Santa Elena, Ecuador members come together to support one another working towards individual goals each member has set for herself. Mujeres Cambia gives women the opportunity to share their creativity outside of the home, to promote eco-friendly practices, and to earn money for their families.

How It was Started

Again, from the project website:

Mujeres Cambia was founded in 2011 by a Peace Corps Volunteer named Jessica who taught recycled arts projects to women in San Pablo. The founding group of women: Jennifer, Elba, Noralma, Alexandra, and Maribel opened up membership when new Peace Corps Volunteers Marisa and Paul started working with the group after Jessica’s Close of Service.
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This is a note from RPCV Miles Masci who is seeking to help another ambitious youth further their education in Ecuador. Any ideas for him would be most welcome.

A family I was very close to in Ecuador has a very ambitious son who recently matriculated at ESPOL Naval Academy in Guayaquil. The family is now struggling to find the financing to allow him this education he has worked so hard on. I was wondering (beyond self financing) what may be some resources I could use or direct them to? Any ideas? Thanks

mightymiles@gmail.com

This is a guest post by Katrina Organ, a recent RPCV from Ecuador. She has started a scholarship fund for her host sister.

Hey Folks! Over the summer as I was finishing my Peace Corps service, I decided to start a scholarship for my Ecuadorian host sister. She is an exceptional kid limited by her family’s economic situation.. you can read more about it on the website. If you can donate, I would really appreciate it, and so would Estefania. Either way, please, SHARE the website! The more people know about the scholarship, the more likely we are to get donations! I REALLY need to get the word out right now. Please share on your facebook, and share via email with friends, co-workers, and family members if you can. THANKS and let me know if you have any questions or suggestions for fundraising!