Ecuador Quake relief, #canoareviva

Fellow Expats, friends, and family,

Let us show Ecuador that we care, and help Manabí recover.  We are working with a team of Expats in Canoa and Bahia to assist in the recovery efforts.  We would like to empower those who really care and really want to help rebuild their towns. There are many people who are complacent with the donations, but there are those who would like to do more.

We are setting up micro-projects in the area for those who wish to work. These residents will work an eight hour day on a project rebuilding their community, and receive a wage and lunch. We ae reconstructing shelters, classrooms, wells, and cleaning up the towns. We believe this approach will help the residents to move forward, reconstruct the area, and provide economic stimulus. 

Let´s help reinvest in the community, and show them we care :)

1. Who we are:
My name is Aaron St. Clair, I am an expat living in Quito, Ecuador for almost 10 years. I am married to an Ecuadorian, Daniela Acevedo, and we have a one year old baby girl, Emma. I am working with other expats, locals, and local businesses to raise money to help reconstruct the Manabí area, which was devastated by the 7.8 earthquake on the 16th of April. I am originally from Utah, and I thank all my friends and family from there who have already helped with donations.  I have a business in Quito, a discotec called Bungalow 6. We will also be holding fundraisers throughout the month of May. Helping to raise money for this fund are Jake Kywi, Elio Serrano, David Baker, and Sean Carter. Two locals and two fellow expats. 

2. Our relationship to the cause:
We have many close ties to the city of Canoa, and Bahia. Sean Carter lives in Bahia and is surrounded by the devastation. Many expats, and close friends, reside in the area, and are taking up leadership roles in the recovery efforts. Peter & Maija Stromberg, along with Eric Wenz, are doing amazing work in Canoa and are our primary recipients of the funds we are receiving. We are hoping to have some projects set up in Bahia shortly, with the help of Sean Carter, owner of the Coco Bongo hostal. 

3. How the funds will be spent:
We are taking a help-yourself approach to the assistance we are providing. Initially the people were given an abundance of supplies; food, water, medical treatment, and shelter. People were quickly adapting to the donations, and not motivated to start moving forward with the work ahead. We have decided to invest in the people. In addition to having access to the food, water, and other living supplies we have, we are going to pay them to help the community. Those who wish to participate will assist us in micro-projects throughout the area. We are constructing shelters, digging wells, building temporary classrooms, and helping neighbors rebuild. These residents will work an eight hour day, and receive a wage for their labor. 

4. Purchases and supplies:
A portion of the money will be spent on construction material and a few odd items necessary to help our work force. Initially we spent some of the funds on much needed baby supplies. We loaded up a truck with diapers, baby food, and sanitary products. 

If you know of any projects that we can assist with, please write me. We are focusing on the areas of Bahia de Caraquez, Briceño, and Canoa.  

Thank you for your kind support.

-Aaron