Programs

Programs of the Foundation

In general, the ultimate measure of high quality childcare is how much the children are loved, how much they are learning and how well they are prepared for lessons later in life. To build high quality childcare, it is necessary that the children develop healthy with appropriate nutrition and medical attention, with a full day of physical, intellectual, emotional, and social activities every day.
Studies have shown that the early years are the most important ones for determining a person's learning capacity. It is important that the children get near one-on-one interaction with caregivers, lots of singing, reading, moving, hugging, talking, and of course playing.
New programs will be built on already existing efforts. In Ecuador for example, the approximate 25-35 orphanages are controlled either by catholic nuns or by the government, with additional support from private and federal foundations. Limited financial aids are available to support simple housing facilities, a limited orphanage staff, necessary food and medications. Although the caregivers are wonderful individuals, they are overwhelmed with the day-to-day operations at the orphanage, such as feeding, changing diapers etc. On average, there are 30-40 babies and children per orphanage with a staff of 4-6 for 24 hours/7 days a week. The consequences are very limited interactions with the orphans, who are mostly lying in their cribs (usually 3 babies per crib). The infants are clearly under stimulated physically and mentally.

Programs to be improved and established

To extend basic support (clothes, food, medication)
To improve local facilities at the orphanages
To improve childcare for 0-2 year old babies and toddlers
To setup learning programs for toddlers and older children
To provide educational opportunities to older children and teenagers
To support and extend existing infrastructure of helping families, single mothers and children without parents to keep these children within their biological families and prevent that these children become orphans
To carefully monitor all programs for optimal success