I’m not a typical 20-something volunteer finishing college. In fact, I retired from a 30-year medical practice in May 2018 and then decided to follow through on a long-held desire to return to Ecuador. I had spent time in Ecuador twice in 2005 and wanted to return to work with at-risk children in Quito. The children serviced by Fundacíon Minadores de Sueños are at-risk because of the extreme poverty in which many of them live.

Since the beginning we have been convinced that the best way to learn is through playing games. In the special “games room” educators and volunteers plan and implement different activities for the students. After the children finish their homework, they can join in the games. 

For several years we have been periodically selling used clothing at the foundation.
Educators, volunteers and employees sort, iron, and arrange all the clothes, as well as toys and other items, for the “Big Sale” in the classrooms of the foundation.On Sunday, February 3, starting at 8:00 am, all come who want to buy clothes for the whole family at very affordable prices.