P eace and Hope
artnership International
Building bridges for justice
Justice to develop with dignity “For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who hope in him! Isaiah 30:18
Project Ecuador Ecuador - Guayaquil
Ecuador is known for its beautiful Galápagos Islands and for being the country at “the middle of the world.” Its natural beauty is in stark contrast to its problems. It has one of the most inequitable societies in Latin America and a legal system that does not meet the needs of its most vulnerable citizens, especially women and children. The United Nations and UNICEF report that:
48.3% of Ecuadorians live below the poverty line. 21.2% of Ecuadorians live in extreme poverty. Ecuador is in 83rd place on the Human Development Index. More than 1,400,000 children are victims of sexual abuse. Most of those responsible for these crimes have not been prosecuted.
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JUSTICE‌. A right that is not guaranteed to everyone in Ecuador, especially women and children. Research on access to justice in Ecuador indicates that 17% of all criminal complaints are for sex crimes. Seventy percent of these complaints are for sexual violence against children and adolescents. The rest are for sex crimes against persons over 18 years old. Nonetheless, almost 98% of these crimes are not prosecuted and sexual aggressors are not held accountable for their acts. In 2006, out of the total number of complaints for sexual violence in Guayaquil, only 1.43% were convicted and sentenced for their crimes. The main cause for this is an ineffective judicial system with respect to sex crimes and domestic violence, including: A lack of sensitivity on the part of those who administer justice toward the problem of sexual abuse and violence against women and children. Corruption in the legal system. Judges and prosecutors who do not investigate or prosecute cases of sexual abuse and domestic violence.
Unfortunately, victims and their families believe that JUSTICE is a privilege for the few and not the right of all. Justice to develop with dignity 3
Planting Justice In the Bible we find a God who is passionate for JUSTICE and the law. We find a God who demands us to “do justice, love mercy and to be humble before Him� as an indispensable requirement to be recognized as his followers. We have accepted the commitment to defend and promote justice in Ecuador for those who suffer and need to know that God loves JUSTICE.
From the protestant-evangelical community in Latin America, the non-profit Paz y Esperanza contributes to the transformation of people and society in order to achieve a quality of life in accordance with the purposes of God. Its work encompasses the promotion of justice and development for the poor. Its service is inspired by Christian principles and the conviction that the Church has a social responsibility toward society and government. Paz y Esperanza is known as a leader in the field. Having extensive impact in the Andean Region and Latin America, it seeks access to justice for the most excluded sectors of society through the promotion of their rights, the defense of abused women and children, citizenship education, sexual education in churches, legal reform and monitoring of the legal system. Peace and Hope Partnership International is a volunteer-based, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to mobilize Christians to address injustice in the areas of the Americas affected by violence; and, to help build the capacity of Christians to fight injustice. Peace and Hope Partnership International carries out its mission through Prayer, Education, Advocacy, Contributions and Exchanges.
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Champions for Children Project
Support Justice, Save a Child You can help support justice and save victims of sexual violence by supporting the Champions for Children Project. Peace and Hope Partnership International partners with Paz y Esperanza to support a professional team in Paz y Esperanza's office in Guayaquil, Ecuador. The professional team provides legal, psychological and pastoral support to victims of sexual and domestic violence, many of whom are children. You can help bring healing and justice to women and children who are victims of sexual violence in Ecuador.
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How can you “do justice” through this project? Pray for justice for women and children who are victims of sexual and domestic violence. Participate in international advocacy campaigns by sending letters to legal and other authorities in Ecuador. Provide financial support for Project Ecuador through monthly, regular or one-time donations. Promote internships and volunteer work with Paz y Esperanza for professionals and law and psychology students.
Please send donations to support this work to:
Peace and Hope Partnership International. 3400 Park Avenue South. Minneapolis, MN 55407. Attn: Colleen Beebe. Please make checks payable to "Peace and Hope Partnership International”.
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Leaders who support our work in Ecuador
René Padilla / Theologian, Founder of Comunidad Kairós and President of the Micah Network, a coalition of more than 300 churches and Christian organizations around the world that mobilize against poverty. “I have known about Paz y Esperanza since its start and I give thanks to God for its beautiful ministry directed toward the most vulnerable sectors of society. It is an admirable model of commitment to the Kingdom of God and the God of the Kingdom, who loves justice and demands that we practice justice! How it pleases me to know that Paz y Esperanza is placing itself in service to the Church of Jesus Christ in my country, Ecuador, which needs this ministry so much!” Gary Haugen / Attorney, President of International Justice Mission, Author of the book “Good news about injustice: a witness of courage in a hurting world” “It has been a blessing to partner with Paz y Esperanza to serve some of Latin America's most vulnerable people. During the time International Justice Mission and Paz y Esperanza have worked together in Huánuco, Peru, to protect children and women from sexual violence, the courageous lawyers of Paz y Esperanza have achieved an unprecedented number of convictions for perpetrators of this crime. Their team has shown the people of Huánuco that justice is possible. It is this record of success, along with the integrity and great passion of the Paz y Esperanza team, that make us so excited for Paz y Esperanza's new project in Ecuador. Mobilizing Paz y Esperanza to work in Ecuador will make the dream of justice possible for children and women who are being crushed by the violent oppression of sexual assault today.” Enrique Pinedo / Regional Director of the Promotion and Protection of Children in Latin America and the Caribbean / Compassion "I celebrate the start of operations by Paz y Esperanza in Guayaquil, Ecuador. Those of us who know the strong commitment that they have for holistic mission by the Church and for the promotion of justice believe that their work will contribute to the strengthening of the evangelical-protestant church in Guayaquil; it will holistically serve the vulnerable sectors of society and the challenges they face; and, justice will run through the streets of Guayaquil.”
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Samuel E. Ericsson / President & CEO Advocates International “I can give witness and testify to knowing Paz y Esperanza as a Christian organization that plays an important and historic role in Peru and Latin America by being a ministry that specializes in bringing holistic justice on behalf of groups of suffering and vulnerable people and their rights. Their leadership is contagious and challenging to other ministries and for that reason I rejoice in knowing that they have decided to establish an office in Ecuador, a country that also needs such a ministry." Harold Segura / Pastor, Regional Coordinator of Christian Commitment / World Vision International “The Guayaquil churches and Ecuadorian Christians, in general, now will be graced with the ministerial presence of one of the most experienced Christian organizations in our Latin America in the difficult field of promoting justice and the holistic development of the poor and excluded. Their work for more than ten years in Peru has transcended national borders, leaving in its wake a witness of courageous commitment for the continent. I can count myself among the many in Latin America who recognize the work that Paz y Esperanza does; and, among the many who admire their work – a steadfast testimony of the holistic Gospel – that is carried out in acts of justice and that proclaims Jesus with prophetic actions.” Luis Cesari / Youth for Christ Program Coordinator, Representative of the Micah Network in Uruguay "We personally know of Paz y Esperanza and we admire their deep commitment with the cause of Christ. The work led by Jose and Loida in Huánuco, Peru, with the most vulnerable sectors of society is a true message of dignified hope that should be reproduced and imitated. To protect children who are victims of sexual abuse, do justice and create conditions to prevent these crimes against children is an urgent missionary need in our continent. Through these words we would like to encourage those who support the ministry of Paz y Esperanza and its next office opening in Ecuador.”
Contact us: Peace and Hope Partnership International Colleen Beebe, President 3400 Park Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55407 Phone / Fax: (612) 7289118 colleenbeebe@comcast.net www.peaceandhopeinternational.org
Paz y Esperanza Alfonso Wieland, International Director International Headquarters: Jr. Hermilio Valdizán 681, Jesús María, Lima / Perú Telef: (511) 463-3300 aspazes@pazyesperanza.org www.pazyesperanza.org