Ecuador Mission Trip 2018

Ecuador is a small South American country filled with breathtaking landscapes and a beautifully unique culture. It is also home to 16.8 million people, nearly 30% of whom are living on less than one dollar a day. This poverty affects the health and wellbeing of families, leading to malnutrition, contamination and disease. Lack of communities and resources only contribute to the spiraling poverty present in Ecuador. In 2016, a 7.8 magnitude earthquake hit Ecuador, destroying fishing ports, tourist beaches and dozens of homes, schools and hospitals in the coastal cities and towns. Reports following this disaster confirmed over 600 dead and 16000 injured. After the earthquake, many groups worldwide came to Ecuador to mobilize relief efforts, and help Ecuador rebuild what was lost. Although much help has been given, the people of Ecuador, especially those in rural regions, desperately need our continued help.

In an effort to help these families, I will be travelling to Ecuador this coming August 2018 with an organization called Help, Learn and Discover (HLD). Help, Learn and Discover (HLD) is a volunteer organization approaching its 13th summer building homes and providing hope to families in the poorest regions of Ecuador. Since 2005, HLD students have collectively fundraised over $1 MILLION and have constructed over 150 homes in rural Ecuador.

Myself and students travelling from Canada and USA with HLD, will help to build 20 new earthquake-resistant homes, in the span of 4 months, for families who have lost everything. Each home will have two bedrooms, one bathroom, a kitchen, a living area, and running water/electricity. The cost to build each home is approximately $5000 USD. These 20 new homes cannot be completed without financial support.

The trip itself I've paid for from my own pocket; the finances required for the community however, are on a spectrum of their own. With that said, fundraising is necessary to make this community a reality. 

100% of your donation will go directly towards building these homes. We purchase all the supplies in Ecuador from local stores, to further support the local communities. Any excess funds will go towards medical expenses and pediatric surgeries for families who otherwise cannot afford treatment. No fundraised money whatsoever is allocated towards any administrative fees or wages associated with running the HLD programs.

And so, it is with deep humility that I ask you, my friends and family, to join me in building this community through your financial support. Any amount donated is greatly appreciated. 

With great sincerity, thank you. First, for reading this entire post (so many words) and second, for supporting me!