Ecuador is currently undergoing such a radical change. Within just a few years, the country that was once the most peaceful in all of South America has become the nation with the highest murder rate on the continent. Drug trafficking and criminal gangs have gained enormous influence and weakened public safety to such an extent that the government temporarily declared a state of emergency and deployed the military. Experts have identified the lack of prospects for young people in Ecuador as one of the causes of the escalation of violence. They lack worthwhile alternatives to crime.

Since 2012, TOS Ministries International has been running prevention programs for children and young people in a poor neighborhood in Ecuador's largest city, Guayaquil. The changes in the country can also be felt there. The team has taken precautions and continues to offer creative afternoons for the children of the Balerio Estacio neighborhood. More children than ever are coming.

Dancing, Singing, Crafts, Soccer, and Lots of Games: The children are enthusiastic about the various workshops and can discover their talents in the process. They learn how to spend their free time in a meaningful way, recognize that they are valuable through the loving interaction of the staff, and find open ears for their needs and questions. They realize that their wishes and dreams are taken seriously. Young people who come regularly also receive additional support in developing career prospects for their lives. In doing so, they can look to people whose lives show that it is possible. A large part of the team consists of young adults who themselves come from poor neighborhoods and grew up in difficult circumstances. Thanks to their work on the ground, they have developed stable personalities. Today, many of them are completing vocational training and are thus strong role models for the younger ones. They give hope and show a way for children and young people to escape the spiral of escalation.

If you want to know what our project in Ecuador is all about, you can read about it here: https://tos-ministries.org/en/branches/street-children/drug-and-crime-prevention#c29528