FAQ
- What does ECHO stand for?
- Where does the money raised by ECHO go?
- What does 'working children' mean - are they street children?
- Why does ECHO choose to send money all the way to children in Ecuador?
- Does ECHO have a religious affiliation?
- What currency does Ecuador use?
- Where are Ecuador and Quito located?
- What is the relationship between ECHO and CENIT?
- I am a former CENIT volunteer. How can I get involved?
- I have not worked at CENIT. Can I still get involved?
- I am interested in volunteering with CENIT. What should I do?
What does ECHO stand for?
ECHO stands for Ecuador Children's Hope Organization. We like to think of the work ECHO does as echoing a message of hope and support from donors and former volunteers to needy children and their families in Ecuador.
Where does the money raised by ECHO go?
At present, donations received by ECHO will be used in two primary ways. First, donors have the exciting option of participating in our Adopt-a-Classroom program, which supports primary school students at CENIT. Additionally, donors can make a program-specific donation either to a program defined by CENIT as being especially in need, or to a specific program of their choice.
Ecuador Children's Hope Organization is a registered 501(C)(3) organization. Donations to ECHO are greatly appreciated and fully tax deductible as provided by law.
What does 'working children' mean - are they street children?
Working children are those under the age of 18 who work full or part-time. The working children in Ecuador, and specifically in Quito, generally work as ambulatory vendors (selling vegetables, fruits, or candy), shoe shiners, entertainers on buses and in markets, and laborers. Often, children start out working by their mother's side in markets, but normally by the age of 4 or 5 they become more ambulatory and work increasingly alone or in groups of other children.
Why does ECHO choose to send money all the way to children in Ecuador?
While we believe it is important to raise awareness about the unique issues faced by working children everywhere, we have seen firsthand how CENIT’s policies are helping working children in Quito and we want this lifeline to continue saving young people and their dreams.
According to a UNICEF study from 2004, children represent 40 percent of Ecuador’s population and nearly 70 percent of those under the age of 17 live in poverty, with little or no access to schools. An estimated 21 percent of 5-17 year olds are forced to engage in work of some sort to help support their families. School enrollment is low, especially among the indigenous and Afro-Ecuadorians of whom only 39 percent complete primary school. Although Ecuador's constitution guarantees free basic education for all children, schools operate on such limited budgets that families must cover the cost of books, teaching materials, and utilities. These fees hinder poor families from sending their children to school, and leave many children laboring to make ends meet for their families. For those that do attend school, most drop out before reaching high school, severely reducing their chances of ever being able to earn a living wage or attain a secure job.
Learn more from UNICEF at http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/ecuador_26001.html.
For a report about child labor in Ecuador, visit http://www.ilo.org/ipecinfo/product/viewProduct.do?productId=5171.
Does ECHO have a religious affiliation?
ECHO has no religious affiliation, and chooses organizations to support without regard to race, religion, or ethnicity.
What currency does Ecuador use?
In 2000, Ecuador adopted the U.S. Dollar as its official currency, replacing its original native currency, the 'sucre'. As such, all financial amounts listed in this site are in U.S. Dollars (USD). You can read about Ecuador's shift to the U.S. Dollar at http://www.bankintroductions.com/ecuador.html.
Where are Ecuador and Quito located?
Ecuador is located on the northwest coast of South America, south of Colombia and north of Peru. Quito is located in the middle of the northern half of the country. View Quito and Ecuador in Google Maps (shown above at right).
What is the relationship between ECHO and CENIT?
ECHO was set up by a group of former CENIT volunteers. ECHO is a non-profit charity registered in the United States, while CENIT is a non-governmental organization registered in Ecuador. ECHO’s board of directors maintains a close working relationship with CENIT, collaborating on how best to use donations to fulfill ECHO’s goal, and monitoring transactions made between ECHO and CENIT.
I am a former CENIT volunteer. How can I get involved?
There are many ways to get involved in ECHO and support working children in Ecuador.
- Make a donation! Support ECHO’s Adopt-a-Classroom program, or make a program-specific donation to support a needy CENIT program.
- Help spread the word about the work that CENIT does to your friends and family and encourage them to make a donation and support the great work that goes on to improve the lives of children and their families in the south of Quito.
- You can also help ECHO fundraise by using our downloadable letter to ask for donations from friends, neighbors, family members, or whomever you think might be interested in learning more about CENIT and supporting working children in Ecuador.
- Encourage friends and family members to share their time as CENIT volunteers by contacting CENIT at contact@cenitecuador.org for more information.
I have not worked at CENIT. Can I still get involved?
Yes. Anyone can make a difference in the life of an Ecuadorian child! We welcome anybody who supports our aims and would like to help out. You can make a donation, contact other people and ask them to support ECHO, or contact ECHO with more specific questions.
I am interested in volunteering with CENIT. What should I do?
You can learn more about volunteering at CENIT by visiting their website at www.cenitecuador.org, or writing to the volunteer coordinator at contact@cenitecuador.org. You can also contact us if you have specific questions about volunteering or wish to speak to past volunteers.