Every child wants to feel like they belong. For Jorge, a 13-year-old student in Quito, Ecuador, that feeling seemed out of reach. After his mother was incarcerated, he was left alone until his grandmother was able to take him in. Even then, life remained difficult. At his previous schools, he was teased because he wore the same clothes every day and could not afford to participate in activities with his peers.

Then he arrived at the San Patricio Basic Education School.

Thanks to the generosity of friends like you, we greatly improved the quality of life for Jorge and nearly 200 other youth living in poverty. The project included teacher training, school uniforms, school kits, and academic aid to help students overcome challenges and succeed in the classroom. The funding also provided psychological counseling for students with emotional or behavioral needs, and specialized assistance for youth struggling with reading, writing and mathematics.

Today, Jorge is thriving. Surrounded by teachers who believe in him and encourage his potential, he has discovered a love for public speaking and hopes to one day attend Salesian University.

“Education is about much more than academics,” notes Father Michael Conway, Director of Salesian Missions. “When young people are encouraged and given the resources they need to succeed, they gain confidence in themselves and begin to see new possibilities for their future.”

Jorge’s story is just one example of the impact being made at San Patricio. One student with an intellectual disability has become the top mathematics student in her class, while other youth are receiving the individualized attention they need to remain engaged in school and continue progressing toward their goals.

For students facing hardships, San Patricio is helping them build confidence, discover their strengths, and realize that their circumstances do not define what they can achieve. Our missionaries understand that children around the world need the same encouragement to reach their full potential. Through programs like this, vulnerable youth are gaining the support they need to create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

Learn more about our work in Ecuador.

Our mission is to give disadvantaged children the resources, support and encouragement they need to thrive. What’s your mission?