Imagine a place of comfort amidst a nation plagued by fear and unrest … a place where children can go and engage in fun activities in a safe environment with their friends. A place where they can escape the burdens of poverty and violence, and just be kids. The Salesian Madre del Salvador Center in Ecuador is a place of refuge for 143 youth participating in programs there.

“The joy of the children is evident,” says Father Michael Conway, director of Salesian Missions. “Here, youth feel a sense of belonging. The Center reinforces our commitment to providing children a safer way of life, one that does not involve gangs, drugs or violence.”

The activities carried out at the Center have reduced youth’s exposure to the threats around them. The community surrounding Salesian Madre del Salvador has experienced an uptick in poverty and danger as the violence, due to gangs and drug trafficking, has increased exponentially.

In addition to providing the children with a new recreational space, Salesian Madre del Salvador offers valuable learning resources such as computers, internet access, and other tools not readily available to them.

Our Salesian missionaries provide social development and academic opportunities throughout Ecuador, offering underprivileged children access to an education that would otherwise be unavailable to them. Access to an education supports the development of skills necessary for future employment, ensuring that at-risk boys and girls will have a better chance to care for themselves and their families in the future.

Learn more about our work in Ecuador.

Our mission is to ensure at-risk children have safe havens from violence where they can enjoy their childhood and prepare for the future. What’s your mission?