On Saturday, August 21, 2021, three houses were built, the last ones in the Nueva Esperanza neighborhood, Atacames Canton, where we have worked for over two years. The Raíz Ecuador – Caemba Foundation is grateful for the generous donations from Carmen Elena Marcel and the City Council of Zigoitia, Spain, to build these homes. With these three houses, we will have constructed a total of 100 CAEMBA houses in this neighborhood.
We thank the Mayor of Zigoitia, Javier Gorbeña; Councilor Edu Elorza, and the entire Municipal Council who approved financing the construction of these houses. Zigoitia is located in the Basque Country between Vitoria and Bilbao, Spain. We also want to thank Wilson Serrano, a supporter of our project, who facilitated the approach and management with the City Council.
We have eradicated precarious housing in this neighborhood for 97 families who previously lived in precarious conditions and owned their own land. It remains only to relocate the families living on the banks of the Atacames River and those living on foreign land, which constitute the minority of the neighborhood.
The beneficiaries of the last three houses built in Nueva Esperanza are Leonor Cefeidas Estrada Cabello (2 children); Ana Fernanda Chila Quiñonez (3 children); and Silpa Evelina Coloma Barzola with 2 children. From now on, they live with dignity and in conditions that will allow them to develop vocational skills through vocational training courses, such as those we have conducted at the Women’s Entrepreneurship House.
Complementary Work
The Raíz Ecuador Foundation built the Women’s Entrepreneurship House in the neighborhood, a space where vocational courses are offered to improve job opportunities for women in the community.
Over 35 women have graduated from these courses in sewing and tailoring, as well as aesthetics and beauty. The courses are certified and endorsed by the Ecuadorian government. In this way, we have enabled women to obtain certification, providing them with better opportunities through the development of sustainable livelihoods.
At the graduation ceremony for the vocational courses at the Women’s Entrepreneurship House. Photo: Caemba
That’s why Caemba and UNHCR supported the construction of the «Beauty in Bamboo» Multifunctional Center, a space that serves as a beauty salon for women who graduated from the course.
The «Beauty in Bamboo» salon was delivered at the end of April 2021. Photo: Caemba
On the other hand, Caemba supported several women who took the course to form the Textile Production Association «Casa de la Mujer» (ASOPROTEXCAMU) with the aim of starting their own businesses and marketing their textile products.
Additionally, in March 2021, a childcare center was built with the support of Merck to provide a safe and suitable space for the needs of the youngest members of the community.
Thanks to Our Donors
We are thrilled to conclude our work in this neighborhood as it has brought about a radical social change, born out of solidarity, perseverance, and commitment to the most vulnerable women and their children.
In this neighborhood, we have worked tirelessly, exploring every corner, getting to know wonderful people, spreading love, uniting the community, and working with women to rebuild their self-esteem. The children of Nueva Esperanza will grow up healthy and secure because having a house, a dignified home, is the cornerstone of family for a prosperous life.
We will continue to be present, of course, to continue supporting vocational training courses to generate employment opportunities and improve their quality of life. Thanks to those who have believed in and trusted Caemba over these past two years to help us fulfill our mission: the eradication of precarious housing through the construction of sustainable communities.
Replication of the Project in a New Neighborhood
Starting on September 4, 2021, Caemba will replicate its work in the 18 de febrero neighborhood in the Atacames canton. It is located very close to Nueva Esperanza. We aspire to replicate the work done in Nueva Esperanza in this new area, thanks to the construction of Caemba houses and other types of community infrastructure.
We invite you to join forces to continue building dreams in the 18 de febrero neighborhood and change the lives of many people who need a helping hand.
