Rebuilding the Future In Coastal Ecuador

Since Yachana started this project we have made progress in helping Ecuadorians recover from this disaster and provide training to people in the communities most effected by the April 16 earthquake to aid in the rebuilding process. From June 24 until July 13, we carried out our first training course at Yachana Foundation facilities.  There were 20 participants from three areas along the coast affected by the earthquake.  Many who came are still living in tents with their families.  It is hard to imagine the emotion of these men as a result of the course.  First, they said it was a wonderful advantage to have had the course at Yachana facilities, on the other side of the Andes Mountains from the coast, because it was a peaceful, secure area.  In the areas where they live, there are aftershocks, some very strong, virtually every day! Second, our program is a boarding situation and helped to create a sense of “family” between all the participants and the Yachana staff. Many of the students have expressed interest to return with their families to share with them where they have learned new skills.

This was our first course and it turned out to be hugely successful.  The focus of this course was on masonry and the men were actually building things involving all aspects of mixing cement, pouring floors, laying block and finishing the surface of the blocks.  An architect and two assistants were in charge of the training and provided guidance in the actual work plus theoretical instruction in how to read plans, industrial safety and other subjects.  Segundo, one of the participants from Bahia, actually has some years of experience in masonry work.  On his return to his city, he was able to secure a contract with MEDUVI, a government organization building low cost housing, and hired 4 of his coworkers in the course to help him since a certification was required.  Another participant, Victor from Coaque, got a contract with the municipal government overseeing construction efforts.  Rodrigo, also from Coaque, got a job with a construction company.  In total, 88% of the participants in the course have gotten jobs within three weeks as a direct result of the training and certification they received from Yachana and the National Organization of Tradesman.  

What is most important to Global Giving participants is how much this class appreciated the opportunity that they were given by your donations.  They said there was a tremendous amount of support that the area was receiving, but very few organizations had offered our more personalized, long-term support as was experienced through Yachana and made possible by Global Giving contributions.