About Ecuador
Ecuador, a South American country located on the equator line, is most known for its incredible biodiversity, with landscapes including the Andes Mountains, the coastal side, the Amazon Rainforest, and the Galápagos Islands. With a population nearing 18 million, Ecuador’s rich cultural heritage adds depth to the lifestyle.
This country of such stunning natural beauty, struggles with poverty and crime. Especially in rural and indigenous communities, where La Fraternidad students come from, access to essential services are limited. While urban areas face crimes such as theft, these regions contend with more significant security challenges. Ecuadorians that live in the province of Esmeraldas, one of the poorest in the country, depend on agriculture and roughly 85% of people live below the poverty line.
85% of Esmeraldas lives below the poverty line
Violent crime remains high in Esmeraldas and Guayas provinces, where most La Fraternidad students come from. Every day there are reports of homicide, gunpoint robberies and home invasions. Armed thieves are known to intercept vehicles and threaten passengers. Most violent crime is gang-related.
These are the living conditions that La Fraternidad students have had to deal with since birth. La Fraternidad gives students from crime and poverty ridden regions of Ecuador the opportunity to escape this lifestyle and provide a safe environment as they work towards their dreams.