Leo has worked at CENIT in Quito, Ecuador for about five years, and teaches one of the artistic workshops for high school students. CENIT strives to offer students hands-on art courses as a manner to express creativity and release stress: one of these courses involves making recycled paper cards with dried rose petal decorations. The cards are very beautiful and environmentally friend, and Leo takes great pride in the cards that the students make. He also has an easy-going manner that often results in him becoming a trusted adult for the students.

Thanks to your combined generosity Leo can continue his important work at CENIT, and his students can benefit from a quality educator who strives to provide better futures for his students and their families!

Andy is 11 years old and is in sixth grade at the Jose Maria Velaz school in Quito, Ecuador. He enjoys studying languages and communication and overall is a strong student.  He also likes playing soccer. 

Andy has been attending CENIT’s homework help sessions for the past two years. He enjoys getting help with his homework and being able to share time with his friends, such as the one’s pictured with him in the photo. Despite his strong academic abilities, Andy has improved his studies because of attending the homework sessions.

He lives with his mother and two siblings.   His mom works as a housemaid in the suburbs outside of Quito.  She uses her earnings, roughly $10 a day, to feed, clothe, and educate her children.  The family gets along well, although they do not get to spend much time with their mother because of her work schedule and long commuting hours to and from work. 

Thanks to Marie’s generosity, Andy will continue to receive homework help and a nutritious snack at CENIT after school. Thank you so much for your help!

Nataly is seven years old, and was studying at the 10th of August School in the south of Quito.  Nataly is currently working at CENIT to improve her study habits and basic academic knowledge: last semester she was taken out of school after falling behind in her classes.  She currently attends CENIT for support, and also to have her only full meal of the day, lunch, thanks to Darcene K’s generosity.

Her mom works in a bread bakery, but her earnings are barely enough to support her five children.  Her stepfather is a taxi driver, but doesn’t contribute much to household expenses.

Nataly is very grateful to have a warm nutritious meal each day at CENIT, and enjoys the time with her peers.

Meet Bryan, the 7th grader who will enjoy a month of lunches at CENIT due to your generosity.

Bryan is 11 years old, and studies at the Jose Maria Velaz school in south Quito.  His mom takes care of her three small children, and keeps their household running.  His dad has been employed for the past 8 years at a candy factory, and Bryan and his siblings love when their dad gets to bring candy home from work.

Bryan feels lucky to have a loving family, and enjoys telling them all about everything he’s learning at school.  Since only his Dad works outside the home money is often tight, and it’s a real help to know that Bryan will be able to have a healthy, hearty lunch at CENIT each day with his friends.

Fernanda is 11 years old.  Her family moved to Quito from the Napo Province, which is in the rain forest.  She is in sixth grade at the Velasco Ibarra School near CENIT.  She lives with her mother, her step father, her grandmother and her brothers. Fernanda’s dad works as a construction worker.  Her mom looks after her grandmother who has a heart condition, and is also nine months pregnant.

Because her mom is currently not able to work outside of the house the family doesn’t have much money, and often can’t afford basic necessities.  Generally they all get along very well though.

Thanks t0 Mark and Lynn W’s generosity, Fernanda will have a month of lunches at CENIT, which is a big support for her family as they struggle to put enough food on the table.

Dear Sarah,

Marilyn is seven years old, and is in third grade at the Otto Arosemena Gomez school in the south of Quito. She lives with her parents, and has a good relationship with both of them. Her father is a painter, and her mother is a seamstress. Both earn less than the minimum wage in Ecuador.

Marilyn has been attending CENIT’s homework help sessions for one year, and enjoys both the support and the healthy snacks. Her grades have improved, thanks to the support at CENIT. Her mother also started providing support after the CENIT social workers talked to her about the importance of helping Marilyn with her homework.

Marilyn is a hard working student, and is grateful for Sarah’s support, which will allow her to keep attending homework help at CENIT!