Plan Ecuador Annual Program Report 2007

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Ecuador

Real progress

Ecuador has large disparities between rich and poor, with children from the country’s indigenous groups (who make up 25% of the population) more likely to grow up in poverty, suffer ill health and fail to complete their education.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Ecuador are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year, our work included:

A quarter of all children suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, and many rural families lack safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

In this context, Plan’s priorities include improving levels of health and education for youngsters. Getting children to take part in decision-making is also a major focus, because children often have valuable insights and will be the citizens of tomorrow.

“A national study found that 66% of Ecuadorian children felt adults did not listen to them,” says Phillip Groman, Country Director. “Plan helps adults recognise children’s valuable contribution to their communities and to society.” We give children the chance to be heard, and work to improve family relationships.

p Plan is supportin g Ecuadorean children to claim their rights: here demonstrating agai nst corporal punishment

At the same time, we’re helping communities to find long-term solutions to their own problems. In this Country Progress Report, we look in detail at the huge improvements we’ve helped the people of one remote community to achieve.

Ecuador country facts Children under five who are underweight: 12%

Population: 12.7 million Capital: Quito UN Human Development Index ranking: 83rd (of 177 countries)

Number of orphans: 230,000 (Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office)

Secondary-age children attending school: 53%

• Supporting 28 groups of youth communicators involved in mass media projects. They are promoting children’s rights through local and national radio stations

p Plan has distributed sch ool books in Qu so indigenous echua, children can lea rn in their ow n language

• Working with parents, children and teachers, we developed textbooks in Quechua, the most widely spoken indigenous language, so that children can study in their own language

• Supporting the “Look Me in the Eye” campaign, which asked Presidential candidates to include children’s rights in their agendas. The campaign culminated in a national poll of over a million children reproductive health.

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

ECU

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Ecuador 04.12.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 3 Client proof: 2 Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Ecuador

• Contributing to the government’s policies on health, including sexual and

Plan UKReport on Plan programs in Ecuador for the year ended June 2007

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Ecuador

Real progress

Ecuador has large disparities between rich and poor, with children from the country’s indigenous groups (who make up 25% of the population) more likely to grow up in poverty, suffer ill health and fail to complete their education.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Ecuador are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year, our work included:

A quarter of all children suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, and many rural families lack safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

In this context, Plan’s priorities include improving levels of health and education for youngsters. Getting children to take part in decision-making is also a major focus, because children often have valuable insights and will be the citizens of tomorrow.

“A national study found that 66% of Ecuadorian children felt adults did not listen to them,” says Phillip Groman, Country Director. “Plan helps adults recognise children’s valuable contribution to their communities and to society.” We give children the chance to be heard, and work to improve family relationships.

p Plan is supportin g Ecuadorean children to claim their rights: here demonstrating agai nst corporal punishment

At the same time, we’re helping communities to find long-term solutions to their own problems. In this Country Progress Report, we look in detail at the huge improvements we’ve helped the people of one remote community to achieve.

Ecuador country facts Children under five who are underweight: 12%

Population: 12.7 million Capital: Quito UN Human Development Index ranking: 83rd (of 177 countries)

Number of orphans: 230,000 (Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office)

Secondary-age children attending school: 53%

• Supporting 28 groups of youth communicators involved in mass media projects. They are promoting children’s rights through local and national radio stations

p Plan has distributed sch ool books in Qu so indigenous echua, children can lea rn in their ow n language

• Working with parents, children and teachers, we developed textbooks in Quechua, the most widely spoken indigenous language, so that children can study in their own language

• Supporting the “Look Me in the Eye” campaign, which asked Presidential candidates to include children’s rights in their agendas. The campaign culminated in a national poll of over a million children reproductive health.

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

ECU

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Ecuador 04.12.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 3 Client proof: 2 Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Ecuador

• Contributing to the government’s policies on health, including sexual and

Plan UKReport on Plan programs in Ecuador for the year ended June 2007

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007

148.5mm INSIDE

148.5mm INSIDE

Healthy pride “We’re proud to say we’re from La Madera,” says Rafael, Treasurer of the village’s community group.

Rafael, and the people of La Madera, have every reason to be proud. With Plan’s help, they’ve worked together to transform their environment, improved their living conditions, and provided their children with a better start in life.

Most of all, they’ve demonstrated that through co-operation and commitment, great things can be achieved.

La Madera, in western Ecuador, is home to 114 families: 600 people in all. Five years ago the community lacked drinkable water and adequate sanitation, and many children were malnourished. Now, the community manages several projects including healthy housing, hygiene and sanitation and crop-growing projects. They are aware of their rights to health, hygiene and decent living conditions, and act to make sure these are fulfilled.

Take the healthy housing project as an example. Until recently, La Madera didn’t have clean drinking water or a sewage system. The village is surrounded by a river and houses are

community organised teams to collect a cash contribution from each family and undertake the construction work. The community is also taking full responsibility for looking after the new equipment. Plan provided training on maintenance, and other hygiene issues like keeping food fresh and improving the environment.

The new sewage system is tube-based: underground tubes lead from houses to channels or natural sewers to dispose of waste products.

p A community leader explai

ns the value of clean water

built on stilts to avoid flooding. Waste water was thrown into pools under the houses, resulting in foul smells and spreading waterborne illnesses like diarrhoea. Malaria and dengue fever were common, as stagnant water provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Taking responsibility In the past year, over a hundred sets of toilets, washbasins and showers have been installed. The work was not done

by Plan, but by the community themselves. Working together, the

The health benefits have been dramatic.

Now that there are no longer pools of stagnant, dirty water, La Madera has eradicated malaria, one of the few communities in the region to do so.

“We don’t have any mosquitoes now, we hardly notice them,” says Jessica.

Dengue fever has also reduced: “A few days ago, I talked to someone from Tosagua, a nearby town, who was amazed that we have no case of dengue fever, as they already have seven (this season),” says Cesar, President of the community group.

Now that there are no longer pools of stagnant, dirty water, La Madera has eradicated malaria, one of the few communities in the region to do so.

Getting everyone involved Healthy housing is just one of several projects getting all sections of the community involved in changing things for the better.

Five years ago, the women’s group started a family sustenance project.

Today, this has expanded and is significant in the fight against malnutrition. Women grow carrots, radishes, lettuce, beetroot and cabbage, and run small businesses like chicken breeding. “The group gives food to families with malnourished children” says Cesar. The results are impressive: five years ago there were more than 20 malnourished children; now there are only three.

But there’s still lots to do, and a new bridge over the river that surrounds La Madera is next. “Now we’re organising to get a proper bridge built that won’t get damaged every time the river floods,” says Cesar.

Pride and confidence The pride that people in La Madera feel isn’t just about their own community, it’s also about their own worth. They value themselves more than before and are

146.5mm INSIDE

confident of their rights. Their experience of managing different projects and their knowledge of their rights has made them a force to be reckoned with, and the town council and health authorities take them seriously.

They also share a strong feeling of belonging, fostered by working together, and of achievement. “We're a united p Emptying rubbish into one of the new bins which will help cut down on the spread of disease community. We haven’t tried to develop just to give a better The hard work of the people of environment and education to our La Madera means that their whole children, but also to find amongst community is benefiting, with children ourselves sufficient support to make a lot getting a healthier start in life and, of goals come true,” says teacher Luci. perhaps most importantly, growing up Plan always works by supporting people in a positive environment among people to become aware of their rights and who have shown that even the poorest then to become part of the solution can change their own lives for the to their problems. We help children, better. Plan will continue to make sure families and communities to have that other communities get the chance a voice and to influence situations to do the same. directly affecting their wellbeing Some names have been changed for privacy and child and development. protection reasons.

“We’re a united community.

We haven’t tried to develop just to give a better environment and education to our children, but also to find amongst ourselves sufficient support to make a lot of goals come true.”

148.5mm INSIDE

148.5mm INSIDE

Healthy pride “We’re proud to say we’re from La Madera,” says Rafael, Treasurer of the village’s community group.

Rafael, and the people of La Madera, have every reason to be proud. With Plan’s help, they’ve worked together to transform their environment, improved their living conditions, and provided their children with a better start in life.

Most of all, they’ve demonstrated that through co-operation and commitment, great things can be achieved.

La Madera, in western Ecuador, is home to 114 families: 600 people in all. Five years ago the community lacked drinkable water and adequate sanitation, and many children were malnourished. Now, the community manages several projects including healthy housing, hygiene and sanitation and crop-growing projects. They are aware of their rights to health, hygiene and decent living conditions, and act to make sure these are fulfilled.

Take the healthy housing project as an example. Until recently, La Madera didn’t have clean drinking water or a sewage system. The village is surrounded by a river and houses are

community organised teams to collect a cash contribution from each family and undertake the construction work. The community is also taking full responsibility for looking after the new equipment. Plan provided training on maintenance, and other hygiene issues like keeping food fresh and improving the environment.

The new sewage system is tube-based: underground tubes lead from houses to channels or natural sewers to dispose of waste products.

p A community leader explai

ns the value of clean water

built on stilts to avoid flooding. Waste water was thrown into pools under the houses, resulting in foul smells and spreading waterborne illnesses like diarrhoea. Malaria and dengue fever were common, as stagnant water provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Taking responsibility In the past year, over a hundred sets of toilets, washbasins and showers have been installed. The work was not done

by Plan, but by the community themselves. Working together, the

The health benefits have been dramatic.

Now that there are no longer pools of stagnant, dirty water, La Madera has eradicated malaria, one of the few communities in the region to do so.

“We don’t have any mosquitoes now, we hardly notice them,” says Jessica.

Dengue fever has also reduced: “A few days ago, I talked to someone from Tosagua, a nearby town, who was amazed that we have no case of dengue fever, as they already have seven (this season),” says Cesar, President of the community group.

Now that there are no longer pools of stagnant, dirty water, La Madera has eradicated malaria, one of the few communities in the region to do so.

Getting everyone involved Healthy housing is just one of several projects getting all sections of the community involved in changing things for the better.

Five years ago, the women’s group started a family sustenance project.

Today, this has expanded and is significant in the fight against malnutrition. Women grow carrots, radishes, lettuce, beetroot and cabbage, and run small businesses like chicken breeding. “The group gives food to families with malnourished children” says Cesar. The results are impressive: five years ago there were more than 20 malnourished children; now there are only three.

But there’s still lots to do, and a new bridge over the river that surrounds La Madera is next. “Now we’re organising to get a proper bridge built that won’t get damaged every time the river floods,” says Cesar.

Pride and confidence The pride that people in La Madera feel isn’t just about their own community, it’s also about their own worth. They value themselves more than before and are

146.5mm INSIDE

confident of their rights. Their experience of managing different projects and their knowledge of their rights has made them a force to be reckoned with, and the town council and health authorities take them seriously.

They also share a strong feeling of belonging, fostered by working together, and of achievement. “We're a united p Emptying rubbish into one of the new bins which will help cut down on the spread of disease community. We haven’t tried to develop just to give a better The hard work of the people of environment and education to our La Madera means that their whole children, but also to find amongst community is benefiting, with children ourselves sufficient support to make a lot getting a healthier start in life and, of goals come true,” says teacher Luci. perhaps most importantly, growing up Plan always works by supporting people in a positive environment among people to become aware of their rights and who have shown that even the poorest then to become part of the solution can change their own lives for the to their problems. We help children, better. Plan will continue to make sure families and communities to have that other communities get the chance a voice and to influence situations to do the same. directly affecting their wellbeing Some names have been changed for privacy and child and development. protection reasons.

“We’re a united community.

We haven’t tried to develop just to give a better environment and education to our children, but also to find amongst ourselves sufficient support to make a lot of goals come true.”

148.5mm INSIDE

148.5mm INSIDE

Healthy pride “We’re proud to say we’re from La Madera,” says Rafael, Treasurer of the village’s community group.

Rafael, and the people of La Madera, have every reason to be proud. With Plan’s help, they’ve worked together to transform their environment, improved their living conditions, and provided their children with a better start in life.

Most of all, they’ve demonstrated that through co-operation and commitment, great things can be achieved.

La Madera, in western Ecuador, is home to 114 families: 600 people in all. Five years ago the community lacked drinkable water and adequate sanitation, and many children were malnourished. Now, the community manages several projects including healthy housing, hygiene and sanitation and crop-growing projects. They are aware of their rights to health, hygiene and decent living conditions, and act to make sure these are fulfilled.

Take the healthy housing project as an example. Until recently, La Madera didn’t have clean drinking water or a sewage system. The village is surrounded by a river and houses are

community organised teams to collect a cash contribution from each family and undertake the construction work. The community is also taking full responsibility for looking after the new equipment. Plan provided training on maintenance, and other hygiene issues like keeping food fresh and improving the environment.

The new sewage system is tube-based: underground tubes lead from houses to channels or natural sewers to dispose of waste products.

p A community leader explai

ns the value of clean water

built on stilts to avoid flooding. Waste water was thrown into pools under the houses, resulting in foul smells and spreading waterborne illnesses like diarrhoea. Malaria and dengue fever were common, as stagnant water provides a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Taking responsibility In the past year, over a hundred sets of toilets, washbasins and showers have been installed. The work was not done

by Plan, but by the community themselves. Working together, the

The health benefits have been dramatic.

Now that there are no longer pools of stagnant, dirty water, La Madera has eradicated malaria, one of the few communities in the region to do so.

“We don’t have any mosquitoes now, we hardly notice them,” says Jessica.

Dengue fever has also reduced: “A few days ago, I talked to someone from Tosagua, a nearby town, who was amazed that we have no case of dengue fever, as they already have seven (this season),” says Cesar, President of the community group.

Now that there are no longer pools of stagnant, dirty water, La Madera has eradicated malaria, one of the few communities in the region to do so.

Getting everyone involved Healthy housing is just one of several projects getting all sections of the community involved in changing things for the better.

Five years ago, the women’s group started a family sustenance project.

Today, this has expanded and is significant in the fight against malnutrition. Women grow carrots, radishes, lettuce, beetroot and cabbage, and run small businesses like chicken breeding. “The group gives food to families with malnourished children” says Cesar. The results are impressive: five years ago there were more than 20 malnourished children; now there are only three.

But there’s still lots to do, and a new bridge over the river that surrounds La Madera is next. “Now we’re organising to get a proper bridge built that won’t get damaged every time the river floods,” says Cesar.

Pride and confidence The pride that people in La Madera feel isn’t just about their own community, it’s also about their own worth. They value themselves more than before and are

146.5mm INSIDE

confident of their rights. Their experience of managing different projects and their knowledge of their rights has made them a force to be reckoned with, and the town council and health authorities take them seriously.

They also share a strong feeling of belonging, fostered by working together, and of achievement. “We're a united p Emptying rubbish into one of the new bins which will help cut down on the spread of disease community. We haven’t tried to develop just to give a better The hard work of the people of environment and education to our La Madera means that their whole children, but also to find amongst community is benefiting, with children ourselves sufficient support to make a lot getting a healthier start in life and, of goals come true,” says teacher Luci. perhaps most importantly, growing up Plan always works by supporting people in a positive environment among people to become aware of their rights and who have shown that even the poorest then to become part of the solution can change their own lives for the to their problems. We help children, better. Plan will continue to make sure families and communities to have that other communities get the chance a voice and to influence situations to do the same. directly affecting their wellbeing Some names have been changed for privacy and child and development. protection reasons.

“We’re a united community.

We haven’t tried to develop just to give a better environment and education to our children, but also to find amongst ourselves sufficient support to make a lot of goals come true.”

146.5mm FLAP

148.5mm BACK

Challenge and change in Ecuador

Real progress

Ecuador has large disparities between rich and poor, with children from the country’s indigenous groups (who make up 25% of the population) more likely to grow up in poverty, suffer ill health and fail to complete their education.

With the support of Plan, children and adults in Ecuador are working together to develop their communities and claim their right to a better future. And real progress is being made.

Last year, our work included:

A quarter of all children suffer from stunted growth due to malnutrition, and many rural families lack safe drinking water and adequate sanitation.

In this context, Plan’s priorities include improving levels of health and education for youngsters. Getting children to take part in decision-making is also a major focus, because children often have valuable insights and will be the citizens of tomorrow.

“A national study found that 66% of Ecuadorian children felt adults did not listen to them,” says Phillip Groman, Country Director. “Plan helps adults recognise children’s valuable contribution to their communities and to society.” We give children the chance to be heard, and work to improve family relationships.

p Plan is supportin g Ecuadorean children to claim their rights: here demonstrating agai nst corporal punishment

At the same time, we’re helping communities to find long-term solutions to their own problems. In this Country Progress Report, we look in detail at the huge improvements we’ve helped the people of one remote community to achieve.

Ecuador country facts Children under five who are underweight: 12%

Population: 12.7 million Capital: Quito UN Human Development Index ranking: 83rd (of 177 countries)

Number of orphans: 230,000 (Sources: the UN, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office)

Secondary-age children attending school: 53%

• Supporting 28 groups of youth communicators involved in mass media projects. They are promoting children’s rights through local and national radio stations

p Plan has distributed sch ool books in Qu so indigenous echua, children can lea rn in their ow n language

• Working with parents, children and teachers, we developed textbooks in Quechua, the most widely spoken indigenous language, so that children can study in their own language

• Supporting the “Look Me in the Eye” campaign, which asked Presidential candidates to include children’s rights in their agendas. The campaign culminated in a national poll of over a million children reproductive health.

Plan’s greatest successes come from a joint effort combining the hard work and determination of communities, children, volunteers, staff, and partner organisations. The ongoing support of our sponsors is a vital ingredient, too. It’s their generosity and commitment that allows us to continue to help children in 49 of the poorest countries in the world.

So on behalf of the children and communities we work with, thank you to all our sponsors!

ECU

Any enquiries please contact: Nick Burton. e: nick@bright-uk.com m: 07884 367567. d: 020 7620 8150 Size (Prod)

Colours(Prod)

Art (A/D)

0407 100647 PLAN 0407_Ecuador 04.12.07 210x443.5mm FOLD TO A5 3 Client proof: 2 Copy (C/W)

Content (Acc.)

Ecuador

• Contributing to the government’s policies on health, including sexual and

Plan UKReport on Plan programs in Ecuador for the year ended June 2007

Admagic No: Bright No: Client name: File name: Date: Size: Studio proof:

148.5mm FRONT

Country Progress Report 2007