An array of vibrant indigenous cultures and well-preserved architecture await teams traveling to this smallest country of the rugged Andes. But everyday life for the people of Ecuador is physically and spiritually challenging. The resources left to this generation are scarse, and the people are destitute. Amenities such as clean water and basic health care are rarely seen and considered luxuries.

SIFAT's focus to Ecuador is two-fold. SIFAT continues to touch the lives of over 1200 underprivileged children in the slums of Quito. There are 28 daycare centers that, if located in the United States, would be closed down due to lack of funds and neglect. Your team can be a part of helping the parents and the community with desperately-needed reparations to any one of these sites. The centers are the doors to the communities and provide wonderful opportunities for VBS, music, games, learning activities, testimonies through an interpretor, or even drama or puppets. You might consider being one of several teams to assist with the construction of a new daycare facility in the Atucucho region on the outskirts of Quito. This is a unique opportunity for close, personal faith sharing cross-cultural interaction with families and the communities of this diverse country.

The Methodist church is a newly-formed denomination in Ecuador. Currently there are a total of 17 churches whose goal is to serve the long-term needs of the community. Each church, however, is in dire financial and physical condition. Your presence as a volunteer of construction, medical, or teaching team provides the physical and spiritual nourishment desperately needed to sustain a spirit of optimism in the fledgling denomination. The project sites for these churches are spread throughout the region around Santa Domingo, Ecuador.

The SIFAT Ecuador staff will greet the teams at the airport in Quito. While in Quito, lodging is available to all teams at the Methodist Center located in the downtown area or Hostal Plaza Internacional. Lodging and meals will vary for the church project sites.

At the end of the week, teams will have an opportunity to stand on the equator or visit the famous colorful market of Otavalo, dating back to pre-Inca times. You can do all of your Christmas shopping in one day!

Optional trip extensions to sites of historic and cultural interest: Los Banos, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Basin, plus many others.

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Details of Ecuador work teams
Details of our ongoing work inEcuador.