A Letter from the Founder

In the fall of 2005, I spent five months on a powerful and painful adventure, searching for an understanding of how a person, born into the depths of an oppressed society, can gain the strength and confidence to escape from the inertia of ancestral behaviors to better their lives and those of their children.

In September, I packed my bags and arrived in Ecuador completely alone. I had decided to take a semester off from school to learn about a life and a culture so different from my own. I became involved with an organization, FINCA (Foundation for International Community Assistance), and had been asked to develop an AIDS awareness program for the locals, but the accumulation of all my experiences led me to embark on a much greater challenge than I ever imagined.

During my travels around the country, I was profoundly touched by the number of street children-- with no shoes, no clothing, no food, and no education. Because of these experiences, I started a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the lives of the Ecuadorian street children I came in contact with while in their midst.

"Children of Guayaquil, Inc." was incorporated into the state of Maryland as a non-profit organization on December 5, 2005. Since then, we have gained support throughout the United States and Ecuador in our quest to provide basic human needs and educational opportunities for these children. Our first project in the town of Pascuales is already well on its way to becoming a reality and I am very optimistic about reaching our goals. I am excited about the opportunities that we will be able to offer these children and I'm proud to share the stories of this amazing community with you.

There has already been an incredible outpouring of support, but our journey has just begun. Together we will make a difference.

Thank you for your support and for your encouragement,

Nicki Lehrer
Founder and President
Children of Guayaquil, Inc.