Meet Father Patricio Lopez From the Diocese of Ambato
"I believe that Catholic Relief Services has helped us to grow and strengthen our social services. Their work and philosophy clearly show that CRS represents a fraternal organization with a service mission.
CRS works with the Diocese of Ambato to grant small loans to impoverished women entrepreneurs and with 35 communities living around the active Tungurahua volcano to develop emergency preparedness activities.
In the case of the Social Ministry of Diocese of Ambato, CRS has been important for our development since they have provided support for many years, not only via the health and credit program and direct assistance for emergencies, but also with the productive and farming programs implemented in previous years. We would like CRS to remain as our partner and to continue to work together with us," says Father Patricio López from the Diocese of Ambato.
The Diocese of Ambato's Social Ministry has been striving to meet the needs of the poorest segments of Ecuador's Tungurahua province for more than 25 years. They have focused on abandoned and impoverished women, rural and indigenous children, families living in extreme poverty, and elderly and sick people from different abandoned communities.
One of the aims of the diocese is to create community spaces through local organizations called solidarity groups. These groups, through their elected representatives, design community projects that benefit the whole group.
The Social Ministry bases its work on good relationships, and channels project resources where they are needed most. Specifically, the diocese works in the following sectors: health and medical attention, housing, micro-credit, training, education, potable (drinkable) water and sanitation, irrigation and others.
The goals of the Diocese of Ambato are to:
- Improve the living conditions of poor populations with limited opportunities
- Promote solidarity within communities
- Strengthen community organizations
- Provide specific and direct assistance to the people affected by disasters
- Work selflessly and with a commitment to the community
CRS' Work With the Diocese of Ambato
In recent years, the Diocese of Ambato and CRS have worked together to implement the Health and Credit Project, and to carry out emergency response and preparedness activities for families affected by the Tungurahua Volcano's recurring eruptions.
Health and Credit Activities
Six years ago CRS, in coordination with the Diocese of Ambato, began working with groups of women in poor areas through the Health and Community Credit Project using a village bank model. This project consisted of micro-loans for small-scale entrepreneurs, and also included a Mother-Child Health component. In the past few years there has been a significant increase in the number of beneficiaries and loans disbursed, and the Diocese now serves 5,800 clients.
Emergencies
During the last four years, the province of Tungurahua has been battling recurring eruptions from the Tungurahua volcano. In addition to emergency assistance CRS is working with Caritas Ecuador and the Diocese of Ambato to strengthen their capacity and the capacity of vulnerable communities living near the Tungurahua volcano to prepare for, respond to and reduce the impact of disasters. Disaster preparedness and prevention activities include training, creation of local emergency committees and community action plans for emergencies.
