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Events & News
Want to keep up with the events we have happening at the Foundation as well as more details about what we do?
Scroll below to find our latest events & stories with the latest updates about how our work is helping make an impact. We invite you to learn more about our efforts and help spread the word about our important cause.
News
A Call for Donations: Hogar de Esperanza
Congratulations to our partner Hogar de la Esperanza on their opening of a thrift store! The thrift store will be volunteer-run, donate...
Maria Jose Orellana
2 min read
Japa Housing Project Update: June
In the last month a minga was held to dig holes and trenches to start building the foundation of the house. There were some difficulties...
Maria Jose Orellana
2 min read
An Important Announcement: Proyecto Saman
“On April 16, 2016 a massive 7.8 earthquake ravaged the northern Ecuadorian coastline and Canoa, a small tourist village in the province...
Maria Jose Orellana
2 min read
Reflections from El Arenal, V
By Sarah Luke Yesterday at El Arenal the smell of three burnt cakes traveled to the upstairs comedor where we had made half our kitchen:...
Maria Jose Orellana
3 min read
Reflections from El Arenal, IV
By Sarah Luke The infrastructure of the building on Calle Trinidad and of the pattern of donations that flutter in and out in waves has...
Maria Jose Orellana
3 min read
A Note from Natasha: Reflections from Canoa
Reflections of Natasha’s visit to Canoa and the Saman Project, Written by Sarah Luke Natasha Verkley, Hearts of Gold’s Executive...
Maria Jose Orellana
3 min read
Reflections from El Arenal, II
By Sarah Luke This week at La Fundación El Arenal we introduced a toy chest. All the toys were donated: plastic dolls with blond and...
Maria Jose Orellana
2 min read
Reflections from El Arenal, III
By Sarah Luke A typical student at El Arenal is the child of a market vendor. Her mother sells piñas at a stand. Sometimes she is found...
Maria Jose Orellana
2 min read
Proyecto Samán
RESUMEN DEL PROYECTO: Proyecto Samán es una comunidad que transita desde una situación de vulnerabilidad profundizada por el terremoto...
Maria Jose Orellana
6 min read
Saman Project: Description of Project Phases
The Saman Project is made possible by a collective from Cuenca including Hearts of Gold, Colectivo Madre Tierra, Yakumama Lounge, San...
Maria Jose Orellana
7 min read
Japa Housing Project Report: May
The plan for this month was to prepare the property so that the construction can begin. An area large enough to store the materials...
Maria Jose Orellana
2 min read
A Note From Natasha: From Immediate Response to Long-term Recovery
Hi Everyone, I wanted to take a minute to address everyone about the 7.8 earthquake that hit the coast of Ecuador. Some of you are new to...
Maria Jose Orellana
5 min read
The Partner Agency Program in Action
(Formally called The Community Agency Program) A Request from MIES (The Ministry of Social & Economic Inclusion) When you donate to the...
Maria Jose Orellana
3 min read
Happy Endings Are Possible – Thanks to YOU!
Great News Everyone!! Thanks to your kindness and support, Maria Hidalgo has a new place to call home and has been reunited with her 5...
Maria Jose Orellana
2 min read
How This Woman’s Painstaking Choice Left Me Breathless
A Mothers Choice; The Maria Hidalgo* Story It starts the same way as many of the stories we’ve heard. A family moves from its rural...
Maria Jose Orellana
4 min read
A Time to Reflect While Looking to the Future
With the start of a new year, I find myself looking back over the last year’s ups and down’s. One season I keep finding myself being...
Maria Jose Orellana
4 min read
Your Caring Hearts Matter
When I came here 21 months ago, I thought my days of serving on boards and helping to fundraise were over. Never did I expect those...
Maria Jose Orellana
3 min read
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