UBECI Newsletter
December 2009
Greetings Dear Volunteers!
We are sending this newsletter to keep you updated on our latest projects here in Quito, and we greatly appreciate the time you are taking to read this.
We started this dream of hope in 2003. During that year we served 30 children in the Educational and Social Support Program, at present we have educated and supported over 450 children in three markets and the countryside.
REAL CHANGE
What have we accomplished in 2009?
456 children have been attending, educated and supported in UBECI during 2009, now can grow like children and reduce their working hours in the markets, street and Countryside.
- 230 children enjoy summer school and learn new skills and activities.
- 170 children learn, share and have a new hope to be at school.
- 35 children enrolled in the school.
- 25 children improved their learning and have less conflict in their school.
- 5 adolescents in the educational support program.
- 30 children received Health Attention
- 5 children received their born registration.
- 15 children we enrolled in the last year stayed in the school.
- 32 visit at school.
- 50 mothers received health attention.
Successful Histories
Working Children Program
Name: Wendy
Age: 8 years old
Family and Economic Situation: Wendy lives with her grandmother, Beatriz, and her two year-old sister. Her grandmother works in a legume stand in the Chillogallo market. Wendy's parents are drug addicts who sleep on the streets.
Observations: UBECI is helping Wendy obtain her birth certificate and be involved at school.
Accomplishments: We have reduced Wendy´s work time, diminished Beatriz´s level of hostility toward Wendy, and renewed her rights to: health, education, recreation, values and identity. UBECI has a check up on Wendy and her family every trimester. This has had a significant impact on both the children, who are motivated to attend the weekly workshops in the market, and the parents, whom work in the markets and have learned to trust us, NOW SHE IS STUDYING!
School Support Program
Name: Erica
Age: 9 years old
Erica lives with her father and stepmother and has two younger brothers. Her father drinks a lot, often beats the children when drinking, and uses severe phrases until Erica has cleaned the house. In school she hides under benches, does not want to complete her homework. She has these attitudes towards school because of the fears and traumas in her home life.
Progress: UBECI is in the process of helping Erica reclaim her rights to: education, health, the right to recreation, and the diminishment of physical abuse through an anger management workshop for her parents and herself. She currently lives with her aunt. We are continuing to follow up with Erica.
UBECI Foundation in the United States
UBECI Foundation is a 501(C)(3) Organization. Contributions to UBECI Foundation are fully tax deductible as provided by law in the United States.
There is now a registered U.S. charity, formed by ex-volunteers that will help to support our programs. It is called UBECI Foundation, and provides an easy and secure way to donate to UBECI. Currently we are fundraising for the Working Children Program, School Support Program.
If you would be interested in making a donation or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at donations.ubeci@gmail.com or ubeci@hotmail.com.
We Need Your Support
Currently we are fundraising for the Working Children Program, School Support Program, If you can help, in making a donation or have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at donations.ubeci@gmail.com or ubeci@hotmail.com.
UBECI Community
You can be part this process of hope, dreams, and collaboration for the children of our country to help us realize change in their lives in many ways, your help is greatly appreciated to keep and support the children in our projects. Contact us at donations.ubeci@gmail.com or ubeci@hotmail.com.
You can contribute by:
- Promoting our organization in your university, jobs and community.
- Talking with your family, friends, community to recruit funds.
- Being a part of our group of country representatives.
- Sharing your ideas.
- Involving more volunteers in our programs.
- Establishing a charity in your country.
UBECI on Facebook
Join our Facebook group and check out our blog at ubeci.wordpress.com
Check out the website at UBECI-Volunteer-Organization, and sign up for UBECI Volunteer Organization.
New Market
The new market and children street programs are in 6 new sectors:
- Santa Marta
- Guamani, afternoon program
- Sangolqui, afternoon program (shoeshine boys)
- Atahualpa (shoeshine boys)
- Villaflora (street vendors)
- Alonso de Angulo (street vendors)
Testimony
My name is Allen Cefalu and my daughter volunteered with UBECI for 3 months, during which time I was able to visit her in Quito and shadow her and the UBECI team as they worked. What I saw was a team of gifted individuals with a passion to give hope, build self-esteem, teach and love each and every child, one child at a time. During my stay I saw children smile as soon as they saw the volunteers arrive at both the after school program and at the market. At the after school program each and every child held their head up, made eye contact with me, said "Buenos Tardes" and shook my hand. They placed their homework on a desk, went outside to wash their hands and brush their teeth, then it was down to business. Each child was busy doing homework with the assistance of Patti and the volunteers. I also watched the children at the market sing songs, practice motor skills and participate in a variety of fun educational exercises. There was lots of positive reinforcement from the UBECI team as the value and importance of education was stressed. My trip to Ecuador has left me filled with respect and admiration for the organization and each of the employees and volunteers.
Sincerely,
Allen Cefalu