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2018 Orphanage Christmas Preparations
Thanks to generous donors and volunteers like you, the 2018 orphanage Christmas preparations are just about complete! Friends of Santa Maria Orphanage (FOSMO) has gifts ready for 72 children plus their mamitas (caregivers), who live at the orphanage in Olon, Ecuador.
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WildAid Working to End Sea Turtle Trade in China #WATWB
In Puerto Lopez, Ecuador, we are blessed. Four of the seven sea turtle species in the world live and breed here. The four species that live here are endangered (I wrote about them here) so breeding is critical.
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Revitalizing an Ecuadorian Coastal Village #WATWB
Residents of La Entrada are revitalizing their poor Ecuadorian village with a new destination wedding church, artwork and town improvements. Shell and Marsha Spivey, expat owners of a popular bed and breakfast, Villa de Los Sueños, have been vital to the efforts. From this article about the revitalization: From March 5 to March 11, artists from all over Ecuador came to La Entrada to paint giant murals throughout the village, in what is Phase 2 of an innovative renewal project for the small town aimed at revitalizing the spirit of the people and the town’s economy. Artwork in La Entrada Photo from CuencaHighLife article Later in the article:…
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A Little Night Music on the Beach
“I cried through the entire thing!” — Sophie, a concert attendee, March 10, 2018 Opera music filled the warm beach night air. Three sopranos amazed throughout the performance. Their voices floated down to us as if angels singing from above. Nadia Neiazy, Anjali Caillat and Anica Lazin shared their heavenly voices with us Performers Anjali Caillat and Nadia Neiazy were visiting from Canada. Their former voice coach, Anica Lazin, now lives in Coastal Ecuador. Together with pianist Cyndy Wergin, they provided a magical night to more than 120 guests. Concert The night began with a social hour at The Sea Garden House, a lovely hotel on the beach.…
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Godfather Ecuador Links Donors with Families in Need #WATWB
It is the last Friday of the month, which means it is time for the We Are The World Blogfest when we bring you positive stories from around the world. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Shilpa Garg, Peter Nena, Eric Lahti, Roshan Radhakrishnan and Inderpreet Kaur Uppal. Please visit their blogs for more positive stories. —————————————————————————- A Free Education is Not Cost Free Education in Ecuador is free for all children but it is not without cost for families. The children need uniforms, pens, markers, crayons, notebooks, backpacks, etc. in order to attend. Purchasing these supplies is a financial burden some families are unable to meet. Heartbreaking choices are made – if you can afford…
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Single Father Getting New Home With Indoor Bathroom #WATWB
It is the last Friday of the month, which means it is time for the We Are The World Blogfest when we bring you positive stories from around the world. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Shilpa Garg, Simon Falk, Lynn Hallbrooks, Eric Lahti, Damyanti Biswas and Guilie Castillo. Please visit their blogs for more positive stories. —————————————————————————- Improving Living Conditions for Father and Daughter Canadian Dodie Schadlich lives in La Libertad, Ecuador and helps those in her community who could use a bit of assistance. The following project to rebuild a father and daughter’s home is an example. Current home occupied by father and daughter, to be replaced in February Photo courtesy of Dodie Schadlich In…
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Christmas at the Orphanage in Olon, Ecuador, the Happiest Place on Earth
This blog has a guest writer today for the first time ever! Erwin Musper lives with his wife Danielle near the orphanage in Olon, Ecuador. He spends most of his days at the orphanage – teaching guitar and providing a positive male role model for the kids. When not at the orphanage, he is fundraising to benefit it. He is an internationally acclaimed music producer, mixer and engineer who worked with acts like Metallica, Elton John, Anouk, and Van Halen. See the full list here. Take it away, Erwin! ————————————————————- One two three FOUR! Just like the famous first Beatles album, the YOKO band counted off their annual concert for the…
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Fundraiser Recap – Christmas Gifts for 70 at the Olon Orphanage
On December 24, Papa Noel will hand out Christmas gifts to 70 children and mamitas living at the Olon Orphanage. The gifts are purchased with money from fundraisers, primarily an October dinner and silent auction held in a nearby town. Fundraiser host – Arena Guadua Ecolodge Surfcamp Montanita is a surf and party destination town along the Ecuador coast, hosting international surf competitions and full moon parties throughout the year. Montanita’s Arena Guadua Ecolodge Surfcamp was kind enough to host 2017’s orphanage fundraiser. Located in the quiet north end of the beach with an open floor plan, Arena Guadua was a great spot for the event. Volunteers and silent auction…
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Cotacachi, Ecuador Expats Give Back to Community #WATWB
It is the last Friday of the month, which means it is time for the We Are The World Blogfest when we bring you positive stories from around the world. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Shilpa Garg, Inderpreet Uppal, Sylvia Stein, Susan Scott, Andrea Michaels and Damyanti Biswas. Please visit their blogs for more positive stories. Ecuador Expats Giving Back to Community Introducing Micky Enright, an 81 year old long time Ecuador expat from the United States, who opened the doors to Lugar de Esperanza in Cotacachi, Ecuador three years ago. She and her volunteers provide breakfast, medical care, baths, and changes of clothing to senior citizens who have limited resources. Photo courtesy of El Comercio newspaper…
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Dutch Band Donating Album Proceeds To Benefit Ecuador Orphanage #WATWB
It is the last Friday of the month, which means it is time for the We Are The World Blogfest when we bring you positive stories from around the world. Thank you to this month’s co-hosts Shilpa Garg, Sylvia McGrath, Mary Giese, Belinda Witzenhausen, and Guilie Castillo for all you do! Please visit their blogs for more positive news. VANDERLINDE Live Trails Album Proceeds To Benefit Ecuador Orphanage This is the story of an incredibly generous gift to the orphanage in Olon, Ecuador by Dutch band VANDERLINDE. All band members, the producer, the recording and mixing engineers, and the studio are donating all proceeds from their latest album, Live Trails, to benefit…
