Below please find a letter (and a short video in Spanish) sent June 25, from the Daughters of Charity in Ecuador to thank the many donors who contributed to the relief aide after the earthquake in April 2016. The funds helped construction of ten homes with anti seismic characteristics for families affected. One young father states, ‘We began from zero.’

Quito, Ecuador

June 2017

Give thanks to the Lord who is good, whose love endures forever (Psalm 107:1).

To all the Daughters of Charity, members of the Congregation of the Mission and the worldwide Vincentian Family, to all our friends and benefactors who provided assistance to the Province of Ecuador during the time of the April 16, 2016 earthquake:

Receive our kind greeting and our desire that God will bestow many blessings upon you and upon the mission that has been entrusted to you.

As you know, on April 16, 2016 Ecuador experienced one of the most destructive earthquakes to strike this area in recent years. It registered 7.8 on the Ritcher Scale and was felt as far away as Manabi and Esmeraldas. Some 671people died, 113 people were rescued, 80,000 people were affected directly or indirectly and in the affected areas some 8,690 people are still living in temporary shelters.

At the time that this event occurred our merciful God not delay in providing us with benefactors, with men and women who expressed their solidarity with the poor people of our country.

The Company of the Daughters of Charity in Ecuador responded to this situation and with the funds that were received, engaged in a housing project: 10 houses were built with eco-blocks (houses that were composed of a living room, dining room, kitchen, bath, and 2 or 3 bedrooms).  During the month of May 2017, with great joy, these homes were given over to their owners.

Attached is a video of the project.  At this time, in the name of the Daughters of Charity I want to thank the countless benefactors for your generosity. May the Lord bless your kindness and may Mary, the Mother of God, guard you and protect you.  Our gratitude becomes a prayer for you and your family.

Sincerely,

Sister Alba Chorloango G., DC, Provincial Treasurer

Translated: Charles T. Plock, CM, Philadelphia Province

Thanks to the initiative of the Daughters of Charity of St. Vincent de Paul, 10 Jama families affected by the earthquake on April 16 were able to receive housing. (Editors note: while the video is in Spanish, it has a lot of nice video footage and photos that are worth seeing if you do not speak the language.)