HISTORY

1996

Zully JF Alvarado and Marilyn Varn traveled to Ecuador on a fact finding mission to the cities of Quito, Ambato, Guayaquil and its surrounding villages in the country of Ecuador: 

  • Visited coastal area village schools to determine needs
  • Toured two schools in Guayaquil for children with special needs
  • Conducted a staff seminar at a Center for Rehabilitation
  • Visited an orphanage with 125 girls in Guayaquil. 
  • Donated clothing to the orphanage and a village school in Km 32 outside of Guayaquil provided by The Second Child
  • Conducted three training sessions on domestic violence to thirty women using a video produced by Zully. 
  • Conducted mentorship sessions with five women from Km 26, via Milagro on volunteerism, as well as, determined their interest in creating a group of volunteers to work for the betterment of their village and surrounding villages.  

1997

  • Zully JF Alvarado, Debbie Hamilton and Amy Lowe (singer and guitarist) travelled to Boliche, Km 26, Guayaquil and Manta.. Music was played and songs taught to children in village schools and the girl’s orphanage. 
  • Clothing donations were made at all locations visited
  • Ttraveled to Guayaquil and Manta where we worked with individuals with disabilities
  • Held  first disabilities march in Manta
  • Arrangements made for a student from Vassar University, Lauren Creamer, to spend three months at the girls orphanage in Guayaquil, Ecuador 
  • Taught 125 girls personal hygiene, worked on their self-confidence and self-esteem
  • Lauren would spend weekends with a local family learning the culture and language.

1998

  • Coordinated the efforts of an environmental engineer from Chicago, her husband has been transferred to Guayaquil, for her to work with a group of women volunteers in Km 26 to clean the village, arrange for containers to be placed throughout the village for garbage collection.  Arranged a monthly town cleanup and garbage pickup.  An entire year was spent on this project.  A curriculum of health and hygiene was instituted in the eleven local village schools. Sought the help of local businesses to participate in donating the garbage cans, brooms, shovels, gloves, etc.
  • Coordinated a mission of ten volunteers, doctor, nurses, photographer, audiologist, banker.  Worked with the same group of volunteers from the previous years.  We had made contact with the Starkey Foundation to donate custom hearing aids.  During our seven day trip, we evaluated over two thousand children and adults from all parts of Ecuador and arranged for approximately five hundred children to be fitted with custom hearing aids with the help and support of a team from El Salvador.

 

1999

Experience taught us to narrow the area to be served and the types of services.  This particular year was focused on dental care.  Our efforts concentrated in providing services to school children in the surrounding villages of Km 26, Milagro, Boliche, Taura and the girls orphanage in Guayaquil. Over 1200 children were taught to brush their teeth, toothpaste and toothbrushes were provided.  Arrangements were made with local Colgate Company to monitor the program and to regularly provide toothbrushes and toothpaste.  Dental hygiene was incorporated into the school curriculum in the village schools.  Teachers post a large sign on the school wall reminding the children to brush their teeth and wash their hands.

2000

two trips were made this year.  First trip was made by two volunteers.  Their primary purpose was to start a children’s bookroom and a playroom for the girls at the girls orphanage in Guayaquil.

Second trip was made by 20 volunteers.  Focused on nutrition, dental care and cardioliogy.  Arrangements for three children with severe heart problems were made with local hospitals.

2001

two volunteers traveled from Ecuador at separate times.  They participated at an intense leadership training course.  They each stayed for six weeks visiting schools, organizations and participating in one on one mentorship sessions

2002

Three physicians traveled to Km 26 and the girls orphanage in Guayaquil.  They reported seeing over 500 children.  Meds were provided.  Clothing donation to local children clothing donation was made to children of La Troncal

2003

I made the trip to Ecuador.  Met with volunteers.  Made clothing donations. Visited a new hospital in Milagro.  Traveled to El Triunfo and visited a program for children with down’s syndrome.  Made arrangements for a baby with cleft lip and cleft palate to have surgery at the new hospital in Milagro.

At the suggestion of local volunteers to have Causes for Change incorporated in Ecuador as a not-for profit in order to be recognized by the country, steps to do so were undertaken.

2004

Helped a child burned over 85% of his body to obtain skin from US corporations and medical treatment, requested assistance from customs for items to enter country
During first quarter of 2004 Causas para el Cambio was established in Ecuador with its own Volunteer Board.  Currently I am working with the group by giving them working direction.

2005

A team of nine volunteers:  dentist, three teachers, and other professionals traveled to Ecuador, joined efforts with volunteers of Causas Para el Cambio, provided medical and dental services to 800 children, provided educational training to 17 elementary school teachers serving eleven schools. 

2006

Shipped a 40 foot container with wheel chairs, crutches, medical supplies

A team of 19 traveled to Ecuador during the week of August 2nd – 8th.  Children received a gift of a toy, toothpaste and a toothbrush; some received a piece of clothing.  Majority of the children were prescribed and given intestinal parasitic medicine; some were given vitamins, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory medicine and dermatological creams.   Of the 1,656 persons that received services 994 were children from the age of six months to 12 years of age. 

  • 591 children were seen by one of our volunteer physicians
  • 313 children received dental care of which 80% had extractions
  • 508 children were seen by the dental hygienist and received fluoride treatments
  • 159 children and adults were seen by the Optometrist, where appropriate were given glasses and/or prescribed glasses when not available
  • 85 children and adults were seen by the Chiropractor
  • Delivered and planned for installation of a Dental Clinic in Km 26 thanks to Dr. Maria Gracias and friends

In addition 60 volunteer firefighters from 18 counties and villages were provided training in Search and Ladder Rescue, Lifts Drags and Carries, Wild Land Fire Fighting. We visited with Fire Fighting personnel from the coastal and mountainous areas, Guayaquil airport security manager and visited several firehouses.

2007

  • Team of 14 travelled to Naranjal, Puerto Lopez, Portoviejo, Isla Isabela in the Galapagos Islands
  • 1156 children and adults received direct services  impacting more than 3,000 persons, including children and parents of children with moderate to severe disabilities
  • Cold case Chicago detective provided training to Galapagos Island Security Personnel
  • US volunteers ranged from ages of 9 to 75, dentists, chiropractor, educators, plus
  • Meeting held with the Technical University of Manabi
  • 2 containers shipped to Ecuador
  • Documentation to legitimize Causes for Change – Panama submitted to the Panamanian Government
  • Created, executed first meeting held by Mayors of the Town ofCicero and Canton Naranjal (Alcalde Ruperto Expinoza Rivas and Gladys de Espinoza)

The dental program, “Simplemente Gracias”, in Km 26/Boliche, in the month of September provided care to 1200 children in five village schools, 92% of the children require additional treatment.

Meeting held with two visiting firefighters from Region 2 that includes the Province of Manabi and Galapagos Islands.  Work underway to create a team that would travel to the Galapagos Islands in February, 2008 to provide training and other support requested.

Fundraiser held in April, 2007 at Dominican University, raised $2,500.00 used to help cover the cost to ship a container.

October 2007 celebrated 10th Anniversary at Alessandro’s Banquets. 

October held first committee meeting for the development of Hospital Luz de Las Americas

Introduced Mayor of Naranjal, Ecuador and President Larry Dominick of the Town of Cicero to the concept of creating a People to People Initiative between the two towns.