On Sunday, August 9, 2021, 12-year-old Josefina Ortega Serrano, along with her friends Daniel and Sofía, led the donation of various types of masks to the Raíz Ecuador – Caemba Foundation. Josefina had been running a campaign for several months with other children who helped procure the donation of 5,000 surgical masks, 180 KN 95 masks, 160 children’s masks, and 450 cloth masks, totaling 5,790 masks. The delivery took place at the Women’s Entrepreneurship House in the Nueva Esperanza neighborhood in Atacames.
Josefina is the daughter of Daniela Serrano, from the class of 1996 at the American School of Quito. Daniela, Josefina, and their family had previously come to build a Caemba house, which increased their empathy for those in need. Josefina is also a student at the American School.
Josefina decided to donate these masks to Caemba to distribute them according to the needs of the inhabitants of Manabí, Esmeraldas, and the Amazon. Caemba will gather the necessary information to distribute the masks where there is the greatest need. Initially, the masks will be distributed to small businesses on the beaches of Atacames, markets, and other businesses.
We are very grateful to Josefina, as well as to her family, friends, and classmates who helped procure this large quantity of masks. Josefina’s solidarity, empathy, and teamwork are commendable, and we congratulate her.
Hopefully, there will be many more children like Josefina in Ecuador!
