Help working children into school

CENIT’s annual summer camp was its usual success and we are delighted to share the impact it has had on more than 150 girls and boys in situations of vulnerability and child labour. Children from CENIT's programmes and from the the Chiriyacu Camal and San Roque markets spent the holiday period enjoying activities designed to give them safe, creative, and enriching experiences away from the burdens of household chores and work.

Throughout the camp, they took part in art and play-based sessions, visited the Parque del Calzado, and benefitted from the support of CENIT's staff and the tailored activities they organised. These are designed to help build social and emotional skills while promoting peaceful interaction and the right to play, learn, and dream. These activities offered the children much-needed respite during the school break and helped reduce the time they would otherwise have spent working.

Thanks to the generous support of Multicines, the children also enjoyed a free trip to the cinema, an unforgettable experience for many who had never seen a film on the big screen. A visit to the Museo de la Ciudad de Quito (Quito City Museum) opened a window into local history and culture, sparking curiosity and nurturing their interest in learning.

With the summer camp now finished, CENIT have returned to their regular year-round activities, including educational support, psychosocial care, and daily safe-space activities in the markets. The confidence and connections the children built during the holidays are already strengthening their engagement in the ongoing programmes. Next they will be gearing up for the Christmas celebrations, so somehing else to look forward to!

CENIT expressed their gratitude to donors, volunteers, and partner institutions. As GlobalGiving donors too, your support makes it possible for children in vulnerable circumstances to enjoy safe, joyful holiday experiences and to continue accessing the protection, learning opportunities, and encouragement they deserve throughout the year.

Earlier this month, Tania and Nicky, Trustees of ViaNiños UK, had the opportunity to visit our partner organisations in Ecuador—CENIT and UBECI—and see firsthand the impact of your support.

Despite an increasingly challenging context in the country, including heightened insecurity and economic hardship, these organisations continue to deliver vital services to children and families working in informal markets.

Accompanied by social workers Ramiro and Vilma, the Trustees visited the San Roque and Chiriyacu-Camal markets. Although regular playgroups were paused for the holidays, efforts were underway to enrol children in an upcoming summer camp, running from mid-July through to early August. For a small fee of $1 per child to cover transport, the summer camp will offer many activities including day trips to museums, a swimming pool, a fair, and a dinosaur park.

They also saw exciting progress at the San Roque market, where CENIT’s playgroup will soon move into a significantly larger space, creating a more welcoming and functional environment for the children.

The most moving moments came during conversations with mothers at the markets. Several spoke about how much their children have benefited from CENIT’s educational support, particularly with homework help. One mother, an Indigenous market vendor, shared that her daughter—who once took part in CENIT’s programmes—has recently graduated with a degree in civil engineering. It was a powerful reminder of the long-term impact of your support.

These stories are a testament to the resilience of Ecuadorian families and the dedication of our partners—and to the role you play in making this possible.

Thank you for continuing to stand with us. Your generosity is helping to change lives.