As we do every year during our children’s school vacations, we plan and discuss our work, the most urgent needs we have and possible solutions. We had a difficult year, but we have always been known for working as a team and that is why for us at SALEM it is important to share our…
When we first heard the word COVID19, we thought it would be momentary and our lives would go on as normal. On January 30, 2020, the epidemic was declared an international public health emergency by WHO. On February 29, 2020, the first case of COVID19 was confirmed in Ecuador. On March 19, a nationwide lockdown…
The school year is over here in Mindo, Ecuador. At the SALEM Center, together with the girls, boys and teenagers, we have closed out the year with great success. The guides organized a warm farewell party. They planned a fun day for the boys and girls and their families with games that promote collaboration and…
March in defense of women’s rights / Photo taken by: Eva Von Lehmann On Monday, March 8, 2021 the community of Mindo marched for women’s rights. In upcoming days all of the children, teens and families at SALEM prepared posters to participate in the walk. SALEM has been working to break the vicious cycle of…
During the pandemic, SALEM Ecuador worked with families virtually. The engaging videos about diverse activities such as communal gardens, cooking recipes, music, and reasoning exercises served to strengthen family relationships. On September 7th, after preparing a biosafety protocol, we started working in person, due to the need to support the children and their educational necessities….
Christmas time is often not easy for the SALEM children. It should be a family celebration, but it’s often not so easy at home. Juan (15), Martín (10) and Sabina (8) live with their mother in a small, dark, and musty room. A few months ago, they fled gang violence from the province of Esmeraldas…
Peace is a path, not a state. It is something that we must constantly move towards. At SALEM Ecuador, we put peace into practice. We share with you our Christmas wish for peace: Women, children, and families living in violence-free homes. At this very moment we are developing an action plan for SALEM to give families…
This past Sunday, SALEM Ecuador volunteers prepared and delivered hundreds of seedlings and sacks of compost to local families that participate in the SALEM Ecuador Family Garden Initiative. Jonas Lange, Director of SALEM Ecuador gets to the heart of the matter, “The garden is a therapeutic space. The Family Garden Initiative is a perfect opportunity…
SALEM Handmade is a social enterprise start up. We are seeking angel investors who want to empower and enable women to create their own thriving social enterprise.