Since 2003, several volunteers, ranging from high school graduates, college students, and professionals taking a sabatical period, have been helping in several projects at the child care centers and the local hospital in Machachi and its surrounding rural communities.

To read the testimonials of some of our volunteers, who have shared their experiences serving the community.

Cathy Gross, Switzerland, Dec 2004 - Dec 2005
"This experience made an incredible impact on my life. Working with the kids in Machachi showed me that we can really make a difference, and by the way, my Spanish got ten times better"

Project: Water reservoir installed in "Nuevos Horizontes" child care.
Cathy Gross from Switzerland spent several months in Machachi installing a fresh water reservoir to assist 50 children and mothers in the Nuevos Horizontes childcare.

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Emma Lo, United States, Jun-Jul 2006
"I have learned so much working with the Fundacion Martha Estrella. I came with only an idea of how I wanted to help the children in these Ecuadorian communities. My project was centered around preventive medicine and public health .

With the help of the very caring, knowledgable family, I slowly got to know a variety of communities, the hospital, schools and "guaderias" [child care centers], while being immersed in the Ecuadorian culture. The people here are always open to help.

The most satisfying part of my work was working with the children on dental higiene , and then in coordination with the hospital, taking them to their first dentist visit to cure the mountains of cavities.

There are so many ways in which volunteers can make a difference, as long as they have the drive and the heart. "