Ecuador

The Wajuyata family in Chiwitayo, province of Pastaza. Photo: Santiago Serrano/Progressio

My name is Luis Camacho. I’m Progressio’s country representative in Ecuador.

Progressio has been in Ecuador since 1974 – and I’ve been working for Progressio for 18 years. I’ve seen a lot of changes in that time!

About 70% of Ecuador’s population live below the poverty line, and most are people of indigenous or African descent. They’ve had a hard battle to overcome marginalisation and discrimination.

That’s why Progressio has worked so hard to strengthen local organisations that give ordinary people greater involvement in decision-making on issues that affect their lives.

Our development workers have also played a key role in helping local organisations to make farming more sustainable and improve environmentally-friendly practices including saving seeds and preserving natural resources. These are things that make a big difference to people’s day-to-day lives.

In its 36 years in Ecuador, Progressio has really added value to the people’s struggle to improve their lives. Ecuador’s people are now in a better position to continue and build on this work.

Progressio is phasing out its direct involvement in Ecuador and our remaining development workers will complete their contracts by the end of 2010. We will continue to support development work with partners in the Andean region, including in Ecuador, through our Peru office.