Though it may seem that the projects have gone black since our last visit in February 2020, that is not the case. After our last project, the economic and political climate in Ecuador became too precarious to bring volunteers down for our usual large projects. So, we revamped our mission to support our colleagues in Ecuador who are already doing the work but without a great deal of assistance.

A classroom with new beautiful tiled floors

eagleYcondor has become an active sponsor providing much needed financial assistance and support. In the last 5 years, there has been major turnover in the directorship of the lower and middle schools of Guillermo Garzon Ubidia. Marcelo Vaca, one of the long-standing, beloved teachers, became the principal of both schools and has transformed the facility and the education at the lower and upper school. Through funding from eYc, in February 2025, the cement flooring in all the classrooms was replaced with tiled floors put down by the parents, so that cleaning will be easier and floors will be safer for the children. In addition, the cement walkways outside the classrooms were repaved so that they will be smoother and safer for the children who run and play on them.

                                                  —> New tiled floors in the classroom

In addition, we provided a projector so that educational material can be displayed in various classrooms with ease. We
distributed the vast collection of supplies from our art projects which enabled the children to take home pencils, pens, markers, crayons, chalk and additional backpacks.

Proudly showing off their new backpacks, pencils and art supplies

The rotunda that is in dire need of repairs

In April 2025 we were asked to help fund a major renovation to a collapsed set of three buildings, in order to create a library and science center as well as a computer lab within the school. These are the projects for which we are currently
seeking donations, to provide all the necessary building materials, (as labor is provided free by the children’s parents). In accordance with Marcelo’s assessment, the costs for materials and supplies to repair this rotunda of buildings would be $2500. That will include the repair of floors, walls, roofs, doors and walkways from one building to the next. It does not include the supplies necessary to fill the rooms with science materials, computers and library materials for the middle schoolers. Though these are government schools, they rarely receive much in the way of materials and most of it is donated through foundations like ours. Because the community has grown, the classroom sizes have also grown and the lower school now has 120 students and the middle school has 110 students. These 2 schools serve the Punyaro community and have become a huge source of pride for the teachers and administrators who have worked so hard to improve their conditions. It is remarkable to see where they’ve come since we began to provide school supplies, art and music materials for the children of all ages to have art and music instruction in their schools.

School buildings scheduled for demolition and repair 2026

Jenny at Graduation

In June 2025, Jenny, one of the original children enrolled in our scholarship program, graduated with honors and was accepted into the University of Ibarra where she is now beginning her freshman year. We are so proud of her success and dedication to learning. In addition, her brother Jairo is entering his 4 th year of high school and has also been achieving great success in his studies. We continue to support this family in their efforts to allow their children to attend higher education. Two years ago their brother, Taiwa enrolled in high school and this year their sister, Jimena also began her high school education. Jenny’s parents have honored the journey of their older children by caring for Jenny and Jairo’s uniforms, supplies and backpacks allowing the next in line to use them for as long as they will last. It has been a goal of eYc to offer support to families of
high achieving, artistic and otherwise talented children to achieve academic success, enabling them to have more opportunities in adulthood with a  completed high school education (and more if they choose to go further). We have recently completed an assessment of the financial needs of the school and the children in our scholarship program for the 2025-2026 year and will be launching an active fund raising campaign.

We would not have been able to support this family, in the many ways that we have, without the unending assistance of Jorge and Angel. They provided their home during the pandemic so that the children could learn online, with their technical and educational support. They provided healthy home cooked lunches for them daily. Jenny and Jairo are grateful for their support and guidance. This has enlarged the children’s support system and for that we all are tremendously thankful!

Jorge and Angel continue to work toward bridging the work of Los Peluditos and Los Ninos in local communities. Most recently, Jorge has written a play which will be performed by Angel, about the need to care for animals, in particular street
dogs. This play will be performed in 5 different local communities which have large populations of street dogs, in order to bring about awareness and compassion, encourage humane treatment of these animals, and provide adoption, spaying and neutering for various community’s street dog populations. The performances will be a puppet-based theater forum designed to open up
reflection on the topics of empathy, care, and the wellbeing and treatment of animals. The format is geared to promote family dialogue about kindness and responsibility toward animals, strengthening community ties and building the
values of respect and connection. This is in keeping with our commitment to continue to support the work of our local beloved Otavalo veterinarian, Marcela Pineda, of Sante Clinica Veterinaria.