We have found simple jobs for some, so excited, thinking we’ve done a great thing.\u00a0 What most often happens is they don’t show up regularly for work. They show up late with excuses and within short order they lose the job. It’s frankly embarrassing so I rarely make recommendations anymore from people in the programs. I have come to realize that putting opportunities in front of folks isn’t the answer. They need to see the benefit, they need to take advantage of the opportunity, they need to be able to receive the gift and what I find is that a very small percentage actually do that.<\/p>\n

We have offered education to people, that make excuses not to follow a path, and then later come back in crisis asking for food. People who were to show up for work mingas, that make excuses, but never forget to show up to pick up their package of charitable items.<\/p>\n

We have offered education to people that take advantage initially, than later decide getting pregnant is the way to say thanks for hundreds if not thousands of dollars investment put towards their future.<\/p>\n

Values we can teach<\/strong><\/h4>\n

People living in extreme poverty have many obstacles to overcome and many of them are not job related. It’s not about enrolling them in school or presenting them with a job and walking away. That is a very small piece of the puzzle. Learning values such as responsibility, punctuality, honesty and not to steal out of necessity.\u00a0 To look at the long term plan, rather than always reacting to the immediate need of the day.\u00a0 Practical things like how to sign their name, to have clothes, shoes and enough nutrition to show up for work\/school regularly, how to budget their money so they can get to work next week.<\/p>\n

Folks living in extreme poverty are there, not just because they don’t have jobs. It’s a multi-generational mentality that includes ingrained superstitions, customs and bad habits passed down. We all hear about breaking the cycle of poverty, but finding the perfect candidates to support through this long process is challenging. Finding those that want to participate in the process, rather than dragging them along is more challenging that one would think.<\/p>\n

Breaking the cycle of poverty is a long process, not a singular event.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

I have taken off my rose-colored glasses about Ecuador long ago, but 2023 taught me even more lessons\u00a0 about extreme poverty, about the people living in it,\u00a0 and the politics and customs that allows it to perpetuate.<\/p>\n

Begin with the End in Mind<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Back to Basics:\u00a0 \u00a0as Steven R Covey says in his book\u00a0 The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People and Put First Things First.\u00a0 \u00a0All simple concepts, and ones I may have forgotten along the way.\u00a0 \u00a0I know that giving food, no matter what we call the program, will never help unless there is an endgame attached to it. Milestones they have to meet, with a time limit attached.\u00a0 Where they move through a system of support, but also of learning.\u00a0 They need to emerge from the other side feeling supported, with the tools they need to be more self sufficient and then move out of the program. If we are still giving them food 1, 2 and 10\u00a0 years later, it’s obvious, what we’re doing is not working.<\/p>\n

What needs to happen is to assess everyone’s needs individually. Make a plan specific to them that may include some standardized learning like the benefits of punctuality and responsibility.\u00a0 It also needs to address their individual needs. To be successful, the endgame plan must include no more hand-outs needed to make their way in life.\u00a0 Their lives, which will outlast Ecuador from the Heart.<\/p>\n

Where to next<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Some of you already know that our foundation has a piece of land in San Raymundo 2. There are plans to develop it into a learning center that will facilitate programs to empower, educate and create independence. Phase 2 of the construction is underway at the moment. Phase 3 will be a joint project, with more information to come on that later.<\/p>\n

I will be taking some time away from active field work starting June 2, 2024. Our last event will be June 1, 2024 celebrating kids day in San Raymundo 2. We have put a temporary pause on the senior’s group and we have canceled the single mom group. From now until June, our focus will be on the kids and on developing the land.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Time to be selfish<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Randy and I will be going for a mountain adventure that will last a minimum of 6 months. I won’t even rule out a full year if all goes well. We are not selling our home, we have trusted friends that will be living in it. I need to take some time and create some distance.\u00a0 To re-imagine the programs, re-imagine my life and take some time for me.<\/p>\n

I won’t lie, part of our reason is also the increase in crime and stupidity going on around here. We put ourself in danger each time our gringo faces appear in these areas.\u00a0 Making ourselves targets for robberies, kidnapping or extortion.\u00a0 \u00a0We hope with some time away, the authorities can clean things up.\u00a0 In the meantime, we have decided to create some distance and head to where things are a bit more peaceful.<\/p>\n

During this recharge time, We will work to create new programs that will empower people to move through a process. The focus is to not create a reliance on us to feed them, clothe them and fix all their problems. It’s simply not realistic to ‘give’ forever.<\/p>\n

I have learned that the endgame is actually more important than the beginning. Without it, we foster dependency, that creates entitlement, that leads to resentment, on both sides.<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote>\n

We will keep you all posted on the progress of the new center. Perhaps reaching out from time to time for ideas or volunteers for behind the scenes pieces<\/a>. I will be working on the website with a few innovative ideas.\u00a0 \u00a0Allowing myself this time, away from the field work and from people pulling at me from every direction will give me the space I need to revamp the programs.<\/p>\n

I need to be selfish for awhile. I need to move myself away from all the outreached hands and sad stories.\u00a0 \u00a0They survived before we arrived, and they will continue to find their way while we’re gone temporarily.<\/p>\n

Thanks for your support over the years and for your understanding while I take a step back and simply breathe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Time flies when you’re having fun, or so the saying goes. This March will be 10 years since we started working with marginalized families on the coast of Ecuador.\u00a0 10 years since a 4 year old girl crossed my path and created the spark that lead me here today.\u00a0 She wasn’t able to go to school due to a ‘list’ […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2161,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mi_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[36,1],"tags":[33,21,7,23,11,32,10,8],"class_list":["post-2157","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-cycle-of-poverty","category-uncategorized","tag-barrio","tag-charity","tag-ecuador","tag-education","tag-la-libertad","tag-poverty","tag-salinas","tag-volunteer"],"yoast_head":"\n