A big thanks to all those who have made a huge difference already!
Together, We'll Make a Difference!
Help us Give Kids A Chance
Help Give Kids A Chance Ecuador make a difference in the world
Lucky Leprechaun Fundraiser is a huge success!
The 20225 winner of the Lucky Leprechaun draw was Amy Prisco, who generously donated more than half of her winnings to GKAC.
Thanks to everyone who donated. You make a difference.
Helping a Family Recover from a Devastating Fire
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Volunteer with us
Volunteer with us
It's been a difficult time in Ecuador, with regular power blackouts affecting everyone. But no-one is impacted as much as those with no resources for alternate sources of power, like generators or even flashlights. During one such blackout, Karen fell asleep while nursing her baby. In that short time, one of the other five children knocked a candle on the bed.
Volunteer with us
Volunteer with us
Volunteer with us
The fire moved quickly through the sheets, and the mattresses began to burn, destroying the beds and part of the cana wall as well. This is one of our most needy families, as the father abandoned them last year. But thanks to generous donations of two used mattresses and funds to buy one more, the family has at least mattresses upon which to sleep.
Two Lives Saved thanks to Your Donations!
Losing her Home and Having Diabetes as an Expecting Mom
Losing her Home and Having Diabetes as an Expecting Mom
Losing her Home and Having Diabetes as an Expecting Mom
Elizabeth's home was destroyed due to the floods last year, but thanks to GKAC, her home was made habitable. And, because her pregnancy and her life were in danger, GKAC provided insulin and testing strips and a generous donor gave her a refrigerator that is in the remains of her house. From all this help made possible only by generous donors like yourself ....
First the Floods Came
Losing her Home and Having Diabetes as an Expecting Mom
Losing her Home and Having Diabetes as an Expecting Mom
... Elizabeth is now the proud mama of a beautiful baby boy. Both baby and mom are healthy thanks to the donations of sponsors who helped Elizabeth through a pregnancy that could have had a very different outcome for both.
About GKAC
Census
GKAC volunteers recruit moms in the barrio to help take a census to assess need and eligibility. This also helps the moms develop skills that will help them in the workplace.
Fires and Floods
Floods, fires, lack of city services: all of these combineto make living in this barrio a challenge. The image here is of a home destroyed by last year's rains.
The Need is Great and Varied
Since the city has basically forgotten about this barrio, simple things like sanitation are not available. This is a typical toilet - beams over a hole in the ground.
Training for the future
We assist mothers to become autonomous by teaching life skills. We focus on business training and giving assistance with start-up funding. We also teach English and offer grade school tutoring.
Nutrition is Key
But GKAC is working hard to help families learn a better way. Mothers and children attend quarterly nutrition classes, which certifies them for biweekly fresh fruits and vegetables.
Providing Medical Services
A Short Life
Medical Attention
Physical Therapy
Four-year-old Maria has Westside Syndrome. GKAC pays pay for her expectorante medicine to clear her lungs. They don’t expect her to survive past age 6.
Physical Therapy
Medical Attention
Physical Therapy
A physical therapist came to show some of the moms how to do physical therapy on another mom who had seizures and was bedridden.
Medical Attention
Medical Attention
Medical Attention
This little baby suffered with impetigo for months until GKAC learned of him and our Angel Doctor got him the medication he needed.
March 2024 Dental Treatments for the Kids
A Big Thank You to our Volunteer Dental Team
Dr. Jakson Perero, Dr. Byron Perero and Yolanda Totoy of Centro Odontológico, “JackDental”, of La Libertad, brought their mobile clinic to Los Ficus Sur in March.
Without their generous donation, many of the children in this barrio would never have received essential dental care.
On just one day, this team treated 34 children with exams, cleaning, brushing training, and 29 extractions.
A big shout out to this wonderful team that helped Give Kids a Chance.
The Gift of Hearing is Giving Alfredo a Chance
Help Alfredo Hear and Learn
This is Alfredo. He is 14 and was diagnosed as deaf from birth. He goes to school every day, but sits in the back of the room in silence because there is no accomodation or help for hearing-impaired students.
He barely could pronounce two or three words, but we gave him amplifiers and now he can hear a little bit.
One of the barrio moms grew up with hearing impaired parents, so we hired her to work with him. It's a huge benefit to him, and it gives her some employment as well - win, win!
He can hear, but the amplifiers are not programmed for what he needs. We have reached out to groups here but no one does hearing aid assessment or will assit in the purchase.
This video shows him learning to speak, read and write the alphabet. He now knows 15 words, most of which are well pronounced. Imagine what could happen with proper hearing aids and rehabilitation?
Do you know someone who can help him with properly programmed hearing aids?
CLICK the photo above to see the video as Alfredo shares his excitement at learning.
Education
Tutoring
Women's Health Class
Women's Health Class
Tutors come in once a week to help children that are falling behind. English lessons are also offered to adults and children to help them have even more opportunities in life.
Women's Health Class
Women's Health Class
Women's Health Class
Doctora Mary Pereda has generously volunteered her time to help educate moms and their teens about their bodies and reproduction.
Nutrition
Women's Health Class
Clothing Donation Day
In addition to the nutrition classes, qualifying families receive fresh fruit and vegetable packges every two weeks.
Clothing Donation Day
Clothing Donation Day
Clothing Donation Day
Thanks to generous donors, we are able to help moms dress to present themselves with confidence, and ensure their children are clothed appropriately no matter the season.
Opportunity
Clothing Donation Day
School Supplies
The barrio moms are running many of the programs themselves, learning essential skills that they can use as they develop and run their own businesses within the community.
School Supplies
Clothing Donation Day
School Supplies
While education is free, every child must wear a uniform, and bring their own supplies to school. Our Back-to-School drive provided dozens of children with backpacks and the necessary supplies to help them learn.
How You Can Help
A small thing like a safe place to sleep with a real bed and a dedicated space to do homework can change the life of a child.
Give Kids a Chance has worked with volunteers and generous donors to provide nutritious fruits and vegetables and make living conditions safer and healthier so that children can grow and thrive. With better health, they can learn and dream.
You can help us help more children feel that there is hope, and let them see that they can make the most of their lives.
Your one-time donation or monthly pledge can make a world of difference.
The Core Team at GKAC
Denise Pisarri Hulbert
As is so often the case, a chance encounter brought Denise to the barrio Los Ficus Sur. The circumstances of the child she had befriended inspired Denise to help one little girl have a safe place to sleep. From there, she knew that the child, her mother, her family, and the community deserved a better future. She has dedicated her time, energy, and resources to making that happen. Her passion has motivated the moms and the children to imagine the possibility of life outside the barrio. We know that children learn what they live - Denise is helping them learn that there is more.
Hugues and Nathalie Baril
Retired Canadians in Salinas, Hugues and Nathalie love to live on the coast of Ecuador. But after a few months of living on the coast they needed to find something to occupy their time. They are familiar with charitable work; Hugues having been member of the Rotary Club for more than 20 years and Nathalie having been a member of the Well-Being Committee for ten years in her workplace. They were happy to land a hand when Denise, an expat friend, asked if they were interested in helping in a charitable cause. Little did they know that a hand wasn’t enough, they needed both arms and legs for those families in need. That little help became a mission, and the friendship became an alliance, fertile ground for ideas to help the Barrio Los Ficus Sur. GKAC is their way of thanking this welcoming country that allows them the dream of living their retirement years under the sun.
Many Hands Make a Difference
Fresh Produce from Helpful Vendors
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
We support our local Vendors in the La Libertad Mercado by purchasing the fruits and vegetables directly from small businesses who also benefit from the programs.
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
Volunteers Donate Time and Resources
Every two weeks, volunteers get together to deliver the fresh fruits and vegetables to the barrio, while barrio moms ensure the food gets into the hands of those who need it.
Helping Each Other
Helping Each Other
Helping Each Other
These barrio moms have grown so much and are now running some of the programs and getting ready to start a small local business. They are the hardest working part of GKAC La Libertad!
It's Not All Work!
Helping Each Other
Helping Each Other
Many of the children had never had an opportunity to spend a day at the beach or to visit with Papa Noel. With the help of volunteers and generous donors, they now have memories to last a lifetime.