Families in Santa Marta and Maria Luisa neighbourhoos in Pedernales Canton

Our local Goodwill Ambassadors - Benisa and Ernesto — alongside volunteers Cecilia, Norma, Patricio, and Yolanda, journeyed over 5.5 hours from Quito to Pedernales Canton to personally deliver 20 food and essentials hampers to families in need.

The hampers were distributed to 13 families in Santa Marta and 7 families in Maria Luisa, two underserved coastal neighborhoods where homes are primarily built from cane and other lightweight materials. These families were selected based on their severe financial hardship and limited access to basic services.

Both Santa Marta and Maria Luisa face high risks of landslides, frequent heavy rains, and minimal infrastructure. Many residents live in informal housing and rely on subsistence farming, fishing, or informal labor—earning well below Ecuador’s poverty line. National statistics show that nearly 46% of rural Ecuadorians live in poverty, and over 22% in extreme poverty, with monthly incomes under $50 USD per person.

The 2016 earthquake devastated much of Pedernales, and recovery in these communities has been slow and uneven. Access to healthcare, education, and transportation remains scarce. Yet, despite these challenges, families in Santa Marta and Maria Luisa demonstrate remarkable resilience, strong social bonds, and deep-rooted cultural traditions.

Despite these hardships, these communities are marked by resilience and strong social bonds. Families support one another, and local traditions rooted in Catholic faith and coastal culture shape daily life. Charitable outreach—such as food hampers and essential supplies delivered by organizations like GGB—plays a vital role in easing the burden and bringing hope to this underserved area.