Ecuador
Welcome
Thank you for your interest in serving the less privileged in Ecuador.
In 2001, MMI opened a permanent center in Milagro: Centro Cristiano de
Servicios Medicos-Milagro. A residency program in ophthalmology is training new
doctors to continue caring for the poor.
Geography
Ecuador is located in Western South America, bordering the Pacific Ocean at the
Equator, between Colombia and Peru. It is one of the smallest countries in South
America. It is slightly smaller than Nevada. The Galapagos Islands, which lie 600
miles off the Pacific coast, belong to Ecuador. Its terrain consists of coastal
plains, inter-Andean central highlands, and flat to rolling eastern jungle.
The mainland has three regions:
1) Andes Highlands- covers ¼ of the
country and includes some active volcanoes. Snow covers the Andes above 16,000 ft.
2) Coastal Lowlands- (¼
of the country) is swampy in the north and desert-like in the south with tropical
rainforest in between.
3) Eastern Lowlands- covers 1/2 of the country)
and is sparsely populated. It has thick tropical rainforests.
History
The "Republic of the Equator" was one of three countries that emerged
from the collapse of Gran Colombia in 1830 (the others being Colombia
and Venezuela). Between 1904 and 1942, Ecuador lost territories in a series of conflicts
with its neighbors.
Weather
Ecuador varies in temperature. It can be sunny during the day, but very cool
in the evenings. Its climate is tropical along the coast, becoming cooler inland
at higher elevations and tropical in the Amazonian jungle lowlands.
Rainfall averages 55 inches per year. Plan to wear layers and pack your
jacket and warm sweatshirt. Be prepared for rain especially December through
May.
Goverment
Republic with its capital city being Quito.
Economy
Currency: US Dollar (formerly the Ecuadorian Sucre)
Industries: petroleum, food processing, textiles, metal
work, paper products, wood products, chemicals, plastics, fishing, and lumber.
Agriculture: bananas, coffee, cocoa, rice, potatoes, manioc
(tapioca), plantains, sugarcane; cattle, sheep, pigs, beef, pork, dairy products;
balsa wood; fish, and shrimp.
Project Sites
Ibarra:
City located on the highlands, beautiful landscape and the view of Imbabura volcano
and Yahuarcocha lagoon, at Ibarra there are a lot and indian (Otavalos and Natabuelas)
and poor people. 10 minutes from Ibarra the biggest handicraft market is located
in a touristical city called Otavalo. The weather is no too hot and not too cold.
Our hotel is very comfortable, swimming pool, sauna, Turkish bath. Our medical director
will be Charlie Hendricks MD.
Misahually:
Beautiful place, full of waterfalls and jungle. The weather is hot-hummed (not too
hot). Our hostel is very comfortable. The population is 3000 people. 1200 high feet.
We have poor, Indian people (Huaorani). We have two beautiful rivers Napo and Misahually.
There are monkeys and pretty birds as well as lots of plants. Our medical director
will be Tim Calson DDS.
Baños:
Forest’s gate beautiful place, lots of waterfalls, cable cars and one of the
most visited city by the tourists for having everything in just one place, you can
do horse ridding, rafting, hiking, bird watching, bungee jumping and still is a
poor city, most of them are farmers, one of the most beautiful volcanoes in Ecuador
called Tungurahua is just 19 kilometres away! Our hostel is very comfortable. We
have poor people near to Baños, some of them are Indians. Our medical director
will be Bryan Frank MD.
Latacunga:
City located around Cotopaxi volcano, beautiful three Mountain view and the volcano
too. 70 % of population is Indian (Sunbahuas and Tiguas ). Our hostel is very comfortable.
The weather is dry and cold. Our hostel is very comfortable Fred Simon MD.
Riobamba:
The high is 2300 m. City located around Chimborazo volcano, beautiful and old city
on the highlands people is 80% Indian (Coltas and Cachuas) and they don’t
have good medical care. We have Colta lagoon. Our hotel is very comfortable.
Quito: Ecuador’s
capital high is 8400 feet. City located on the highlands, near Rucco Pichincha and
Guagua Pichincha volcanoes. We have lots of poor people at the outside of the city,
they came from other provinces. Very touristical city. Situated at Middle of the
World. The teleferico (cable car) from that point you can see most of Quito’s
landscape. Our hostel is very comfortable.