Dear Supporters of the Guayaquil Mission,
This last year has been extraordinary in so many ways. Due to the pandemic and its huge impact in Ecuador, changes were needed in the delivery of education for the children of the St. Vincent de Paul School in Guayaquil. As mandated by the government, children were no longer able to attend school in person. For this reason, the school in Guayaquil needed to shift to virtual learning.
Unfortunately, the poverty level in Guayaquil has risen significantly. In general, almost all the school parents have voiced concerns that they are having a difficult time paying tuition due to lack of employment and reduced work hours. Currently, there are 124 students attending virtually this school year who have access to the Internet, and many are not able to afford to pay the $50 per month tuition.
Because of the nature of virtual learning, these students had opportunities for enrichment through the kind efforts of many who volunteered their time a world apart. Volunteers from our parish taught English to the students, engaged the students in robotics classes, taught ballet classes to students, or have read English books to the students virtually. To remotely support and encourage faith among the students, a prayer group was organized with adult leaders from multiple cities that meet daily in Spanish and English. In addition, students of the school pray the Rosary three times a week while meeting virtually. While the mission is not able to currently reach the larger number of students as before, it is continuing to provide educational and spiritual direction for many.
We hope to gather together in person in the spring of 2022 for the Guayaquil Gala and Dinner. It is a time to celebrate and appreciate you for your contributions while also raising much-needed funds to support the operation of the mission. In the meantime, we humbly ask for your generosity so that the mission may continue to thrive even through this unprecedented time. Any amount is appreciated.
Donations may be mailed to: Incarnate Word Convent
c/o Sr. Virginia O’Donnell
3400 Bradford Street
Houston, Texas 77025
Or made online through the mission website at: www.sea-elcarmen.org
If you have any questions, please contact Claire Lynch at clynch17@att.net or 713-806-5491.
In His service,
Claire Lynch Paulina McGrath Sr. Virginia O’Donnell