Ecuador 2026

The cistern, the pump, and the associated electrical wiring were repaired by our local partner, the Health Committee of La Y de la Laguna. The necessary financial resources and technical expertise were organized and provided independently of FHN. This development is particularly encouraging. It demonstrates not only our local partners’ ability to solve necessary problems independently, but also reflects the solidarity and strong sense of community within the community. The health station can now once again supply itself with water and is no longer dependent on costly water deliveries from the city of Quininde.

Psychological Support Position Still Vacant

The position of psychologist, which had been vacant for some time, was initially successfully filled thanks to the good cooperation between the local accountant, Odalys Zambrano, the Health Committee, and FHN coordination. However, the selected candidate was ultimately unable to take up the position. Until further notice, our local partner is therefore continuing to look for an alternative candidate. Psychological support thus remains an important area for which a suitable professional is still being sought.

An Important Member of the Team: Rosa Cedeño Vera

At this point, I would like to introduce one of the most important members of our team in the Ecuador project: Rosa Cedeño Vera, 43, coordinator of the local FHN office in La Y de la Laguna. Since October 2019, Rosa has been responsible for the central coordination of FHN activities in the Mache Chindul region. Among other things, her responsibilities include procuring medication, coordinating closely with the medical staff at the health station, and organizing medical brigades in remote communities. In addition, Rosa is an important point of contact for the interests, concerns, and needs of the local population, particularly in health-related areas such as pregnancy and diabetes. She combines organizational responsibility with an in-depth understanding of the realities of life for people in the local community. During my time as a volunteer in 2022, I was already able to see for myself her calm, attentive, and responsible approach. Rosa is highly respected in the community and, particularly within the social context of machismo, represents a valuable example of female competence and leadership.

As a mother of three, project leader, and trusted member of the community, she is an important role model for many people, especially young women and girls in the region. We at FHN Germany are proud to have Rosa as part of our team and hope to continue supporting and working alongside her in the future.

Medical Care Continues to Be Ensured

The Health Committee has continued to support particularly vulnerable groups of the population over the past few months. From May to July, health clubs for pregnant women, people with chronic illnesses, and young people were held regularly. These services continue to be an important pillar of healthcare in the rural areas of Mache Chindul. Medical brigades were also carried out in recent months. These so-called Brigadas Médicas enable people who have difficulty accessing a health station due to their geographical location or limited mobility to receive medical services directly in their communities. This year as well, they have been met with great interest among residents of the communities. Vaccinations and home visits were offered, among other places, in Santa Isabel on May 21, Tahuales on June 11, and Viche on July 17. The Health Committee also provides some of the medication required. This includes, among other things, medication for treating high blood pressure and epilepsy, as well as iron and calcium supplements for pregnant women. A continuous supply of medication is particularly important for patients with chronic illnesses. Since government healthcare services cannot fully meet the actual need, the Health Committee plays an important complementary role here. In March, medication worth USD 1,160 was purchased, followed by a further USD 1,000 worth of medication in May. This means that a total of USD 2,160 had already been spent on medical care during the first few months of this year alone. This also includes important dressings and consumable medical supplies such as syringes, needles, and disposable gloves, which are needed both for the medical brigades and for the daily operation of the health station.

Technical Challenges

In addition to the medical and organizational tasks, the project continues to face technical challenges. There are still occasional power outages. Since mid-July, the computer in the office of our coordinator, Rosa Cedeño, has also been out of order. A replacement device therefore needs to be arranged promptly. This is of considerable importance for ongoing operations, as numerous organizational and administrative processes are handled electronically. A prolonged outage could therefore lead to delays in ordering medication, preparing reports, and carrying out other important administrative tasks.

Final Words

Despite these challenges, we would like to conclude by highlighting the dedicated efforts of our local partners. Rosa, Odalys, and the many members of the Health Committee carry out important work every day to maintain and further develop healthcare, and thereby the living conditions of people in Mache Chindul. The positive developments of recent months demonstrate how important local initiative and the commitment of people on the ground are to the development of the project.

With the support of our donors, we would like to continue improving the living conditions of people in the El Páramo / Mache Chindul region and strengthening local structures. We sincerely thank you for the trust you have placed in us and for your continued support.

Yannick Althen

Coordinator of the Ecuador Project

Foundation Human Nature Germany (FHN)