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| ABOUT US |
Eleven years ago, in June 2008, Maria Teresa and Gonzalo Alarcon founded VOLUNTARIOS DE OCCIDENTE as a volunteer program, a local grassroot, not for profit, non political and non religious organisation.
They began in Colombia but very soon moved to Ecuador where they established permanent residency.
In 2001 the founders registered a Charity in Ecuador in order to look for resources to increase the help of volunteers, give computers and to improve the conditions of the schools.
At the End of 2002 VDO donated the first computers centre to a rural school thanks to the support of Adrienne Finch and Ros Earl (nee Finch). The Centre was dedicated to the memory of Andrew Finch. At the end of 2007, five years later, the "Andrew Finch Education Trust, AFET" gained charitable status in the UK. It is entirely dedicated to supporting VDO projects, especially the computers centres.
In 2004 Maria Teresa started the Sponsorship program called TAITAKUNA (Godparents in Quechua) with the aim of helping to improve the living condition of the poorest children and to encourage them to continue studying after the primary school.
In 2005 VDO created the CHILDRENS' LIBRARY. The Library volunteers take the children’s storybooks to the schools and let children take it to their home for reading. The Library also organize reading sessions with small children and families. Reading contests and other activities are developed by volunteers.
In June 2008, A volunteer from USA, Jackie Bird, celebrated the tenth anniversary in Ecuador. When she returned home she registered VOLUNTARIOS DE OCCIDENTE, Inc. as a non profit Corporation in California. Thanks to this VDO will improve the service to children and communities.
VOLUNTARIOS DE OCCIDENTE is still a small project. Maria Teresa and Gonzalo Alarcon are still the only staff members in charge of the projects, giving direct and permanent assistance to volunteers. VDO has no bureaucracy making possible a low budget projects and programmes. The effort of volunteers is the only way to do the work and friendly donations are the only way to obtain the necessary resources. The future of VDO depends on the participation and support of former volunteers and friends. In VDO we are all volunteers. Nobody has a salary. That is the way VDO goes ahead. There are still too many things to do and your help is necessary. You also can help to break the poverty circle of many children that are waiting for just one opportunity.
Join Us.
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Maria Teresa and Adrienne Finch |
Gonzalo, Jackie, Maria Teresa |
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