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A LETTER FROM OUR VOLUNTEER CARRIE  WHO EXPLAINS THE NEED TO HELP THE STUDENTS IN OUR COMMUNITY:

"Ecuador has “free” education but that doesn’t mean that education is without cost. It means that every child is allowed to walk through the hallowed doors of learning. In other words, when the doors are open, any child may enter the school. However, in order to participate in class or be permitted to take a test, there are financial costs involved. 

So, I’ve asked myself, “what does a child need to actually participate in school?”

The answer: 

Each child (parents) must provide their own school supplies based on a list provided by the school. To purchase all items on the list, it requires an average of $40.00 to $50.00. 

In addition, each child must have two complete sets of uniforms along with two pairs of shoes. The black shoes alone cost $24.00. The total school expense for each child often exceeds $100.00, an amount unattainable for families where the average weekly unskilled-labor wage is between $50.00 to $100.00.

So, what is the consequence? 

The children do not attend school. They drop out before obtaining a high school diploma resulting in the denial of work opportunities and even a driver’s license. 

The cycle of poverty continues into the next generation.

Last year, Spirit of Wellness received a generous one-time donation of approximately 30 back-to-school packs that included back-packs and all the requested school supplies. This enabled each child whose family was enrolled in the Foodbank to receive the necessary items to attend school. In addition, knowing the need and the importance of ensuring as many children as possible returned to in-school learning after the pandemic closure, the same generous donor provided funds to purchase both pairs of school shoes for every child.

This year, we are so grateful that the same generous donor has provided book bags for each child.

Hard work is required by all who attend school, even those with comfortable homes and reliable transportation. Imagine how substantially more difficult school would be with no running water, no table or desk at which to perform homework or even the shoes needed to walk to school. 

Many of our children live in such conditions. Running water is not present in many homes. Most do not have space to perform home work. And, due to the absence of school buses, all either walk to the local school or take public transportation.

THROUGH SPIRIT OF WELLNESS, 

WE ARE ENSURING HOPE FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS 

ONE ACT AT A TIME.