In 2013, we opened own orphanage in the outskirts of Quito, Ecuador. This was, and continues to be, a very big undertaking. We always wanted to establish at least one of our own orphanages. In 2013, we felt it was time to make that desire a reality. In so doing, we have been able to keep more children off the streets.
The home is managed by a married couple from Uruguay who have given their lives to helping these wonderful boys. They make the orphanage feel more like a home than an orphanage when you compare it to other orphanages.
At the Dando Amor Home we specifically help boys ages 12-18 that are too old to live at other orphanages, but not yet ready for life on their own. We are currently helping 15 boys. We provide for their basic needs including food, clothing, and shelter. We also focus on providing three essential aspects to help them become healthy, contributing members of society.
- Education
- Psychological counseling
- Career preparation
Daily, the boys participate in Bible study along with different duties and chores. Each boy is enrolled in school. Some also attend a private English school to improve their chances of acquiring a good job to break the cycle of poverty that has put them where they are today.
We strive to love each child individually, help him develop his talents and skills, find a career choice that will allow him to give back to society, and become an honorable husband and father.
Each boy wants a family and home so we work toward three main objectives.
- First, we work through the legal process to get him back into a safe home with his family.
- Second, we work to make him legally adoptable should the opportunity present itself and if there is no safe home for him with family.
- Third, we work to prepare him to live on his own as a contributing member of society if no family can be found and he is not adopted.
We have already completed our first adoption and are working toward others. See the adoption story below.