Thank you for your interest in serving the poor in Ecuador. In 2001, MMI opened a permanent center in Milagro: Centro Cristiano de Servicios Medicos-Milagro. A residency program in ophthalmology is training new doctors to continue caring for the poor.
One and two week projects are focused primarily around two teams, one lead by Dr. Susana Logacho in Quito, and the other by Jone Hernandez in Guayaquil.
Project Sites
Ibarra: This city is located on the highlands, with a beautiful landscape and a view of Imbabura volcano and Yahuarcocha lagoon. The population is comprised of Otavalos and Natabuelas indians. 10 minutes from Ibarra is a large handicraft market in a tourist city called Otavalo. The weather is temperate, and the hotel is very comfortable, with a swimming pool, sauna, and Turkish bath.
Misahually: Misahually is beautiful, with waterfalls, monkeys, and birds – all at an altitude of 1200 feet. The weather is hot and humid and the hostel is very comfortable. The population of 3,000 is mostly comprised of impoverished Huaorani indians. The medical director is Tim Calson DDS.
Baños: Banos’ waterfalls, cable cars, and wide variety of activities – including horseback riding, rafting, hiking, bird watching, and bungee jumping — make it a popular tourist destination. Most residents are farmers, and there is a great deal of poverty.
Latacunga: Located near the Cotopaxi volcano, Latacunga has a incredible view of the volcano and surrounding mountains. 70 % of population is Indian (Sunbahuas and Tiguas ). The hostel is very comfortable and the weather is dry and cold.
Riobamba: At an atltitude of 9,000 feet, Riobamba is near the Chimborazo volcano. It is a beautiful and old city on the highlands, and the population is 80% Indian (Coltas and Cachuas) who are in need of good medical care. The hotel is very comfortable.
Quito: Ecuador’s capital city is at an altitude of 8400 feet, and located near the Rucco Pichincha and Guagua Pichincha volcanoes. There are large numbers of poor people from other provinces living on the outskirts of the city. From the teleferico (cable car) you can see most of Quito’s landscape. The hostel is very comfortable.
More About Ecuador
Ecuador is located in Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the Equator, between Colombia and Peru. It is one of the smallest countries in South America. It is slightly smaller than Nevada. The Galapagos Islands, which lie 600 miles off the Pacific coast, belong to Ecuador. Its terrain consists of coastal plains, inter-Andean central highlands, and flat to rolling eastern jungle.
The “Republic of the Equator” was one of three countries that emerged from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts with its neighbors. Ecuador is a republic with its capital city being Quito.
Ecuador varies in temperature. It can be sunny during the day, but very cool in the evenings. Its climate is tropical along the coast, becoming cooler inland at higher elevations and tropical in the Amazonian jungle lowlands. Rainfall averages 55 inches per year. Plan to wear layers and pack your jacket and warm sweatshirt. Be prepared for rain especially December through May.
People & Economy
Currency: US Dollar (formerly the Ecuadorian Sucre)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, and lumber.
Agriculture: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc (tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products; balsa wood; fish, and shrimp.
Population: around 12.9 million.
Ethnic groups: mestizo (mixed Amerindian and Spanish) 65%, Amerindian 25%, Spanish and others 7%, and black 3%
Literacy: 90.1%
Religion: 95% Roman Catholic
Language: Spanish and Amerindian languages
