Chimborazo: fighting malnutrition for the dignity of indigenous communities
In the province of Chimborazo in Ecuador, located between 3,000 and 3,800 metres above sea level in the Andes mountain range, the Kichwa Indigenous communities there face numerous challenges. Chronic childhood malnutrition affects up to 65% of children due to extreme poverty, inadequate housing, and a lack of access to clean water and basic sanitation. In such difficult conditions, improving health and nutrition for these families is a top priority.
In partnership with the Centro de Desarrollo, Difusión e Investigación Social (CEDIS) and Development and Peace Caritas Canada (DPCC), the project is centered around three main objectives:
- The installation of 80 washbasins inside homes to improve hygiene and reduce diseases related to poor sanitation.
- The protection of 5 drinking water sources to prevent contamination from animal waste.
- The establishment of agroecological gardens and the distribution of guinea pigs to improve food security for families.
A participatory and sustainable project
The local communities are actively involved in the project. They are providing land and helping with the installation of equipment, while the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock assists with technical support for the agroecology trainings, and CEDIS mobilizes local resources for transportation, the production of awareness content, and the accompaniment of families.
Towards a sustainable improvement in living conditions
This project, funded with $35,000 CAD, will not only improve the health conditions of the residents of Cebadas, but also strengthen their food sovereignty. By investing in sustainable solutions that protect the environment and involving local populations, the Roncalli International Foundation and its partners are contributing to a more equitable future for the Indigenous communities of Chimborazo.