Country Profile

Located in Western South America, Ecuador is bordered by the Pacific Ocean at the Equator and between Colombia and Peru. It boasts the highest active volcano in the world, Cotopaxi in the Andes Mountains. Spanish is the official language. The economy is based on petroleum production and export of bananas, shrimp and other agricultural products. Fifty-five percent of the population is urban. In the rural areas, only about 1/3 of the children complete 6th grade, although education is compulsory.

The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. A border war with Peru that flared in 1995 was resolved in 1999. Although Ecuador marked 25 years of civilian governance in 2004, the period has been marred by political instability. Nine presidents have governed Ecuador since 1996.

Update from Ann O'Dell

In November I made my first trip to South America and visited Principe de Paz (Prince of Peace) School in Cuenca. I was pleased with the quality education the children are receiving at the school. A school doctor is there 5 days a week to look after the children's medical needs. I worked with school personnel and our new Hope for Children associate, council and coordinator gathering information about each of the children in the program, and helping them understand what their responsibilities are in running the program since they are new to Hope for Children.

Jenny, one of the children, cried and cried. She kept saying how grateful she was for her sponsor. Her father had come to the States some time ago, leaving her mother and Jenny in Ecuador. Although he had promised to send funds to them, they had not received anything from him. This may be causing Jenny to feel undue pressure regarding her family's finances.