We began supporting Danielle Children’s Fund in Ecuador in 2024.
DCF’s mission is to contribute to the co-construction of healthy, protective families and communities that will prioritise the well being of children in this part of Ecuador.
They plan to achieve this through the development and enhancement of the capacities and strengths of families, communities and professionals involved in child protection.
They also encourage discussions that lead to social change.
For poor families in Ecuador, life can be difficult and often children are the victims of their parents’ powerlessness. By means of a three-year project, NGO Danielle Children’s Fund, together with parents and their children, is creating hope for a better future.
Poverty and ongoing social unrest has given rise to a range of challenges for many families, causing tension, along with feelings of helplessness.
Many parents lack a support system. They feel powerless when faced with their frustrations, and consequently some children face maltreatment, in the streets and also at home.
To support these families, the foundation is working closely with the local community to help build resilience. They are providing spaces where people can share their concerns, learn together and work collectively to put a stop to the current violence affecting both their town and their households.
Andean Trails’ donation this year will contribute to facilitating regular events at the community centre.
The donation covers refreshments and the cost of the equipment needed at film screenings in both indoor and outdoor community spaces. This is part of the work towards making greater use of public spaces and fostering the creation of safe spaces in the community for children, adolescents and women in particular.
Update March 2025:
In 2024, significant progress was made in strengthening relationships, building trust, and fostering collaboration.
Currently, there are several welcoming community spaces, including a library and an area for entrepreneurial activities such as a bakery and a kitchen. In 2024, 16 individuals received training in community leadership. More than 700 children and adults participated in family support programs, and clubs were established for children, teenagers, and parents to inspire and support one another.
Additionally, several community members came together to launch a community-based tourism initiative.
One of the children’s top priorities within the project is reclaiming safe spaces in the neighborhood. While this is an ongoing process, it is heartwarming to see that, with the support of the local municipality, some streets are closed off each month to host community movie nights. These events bring everyone together to enjoy children’s performances and a film with popcorn.
Over the next two years, we will continue working hand in hand with the children and people of Pifo to build peace, joy, and a sense of security in their community.
You can read more by visiting Danielle Children’s Fund
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Pam and Paul, Australia, Paine W self-guided, Chile. March 2025 As an older non Spanish speaking couple hailing from Australia, booking our 5 day solo Torres del Paine W trek with Andean Trails was the perfect start to realise our adventure. Having all our accommodation, transfers, inclusive meals and comprehensive pack list sorted to suit our itinerary by such knowledgeable, professional and amenable travel experts meant we could focus our efforts entirely on the trek. We were blessed by great weather - a considerable bonus given we took a few hours longer to complete each daily walk as some of the trails were challenging too but the stunning views that unfolded along the trails provided impetus for us to persevere. We also found our walking poles were essential for ascents and descents on steeper slopes. Our last night was a fixed tent camping spot - comfortable enough and allowed for unreal Milky Way stargazing in the wee small hours. Our 3 nights in Refugios were good - took a bit of getting used to sharing space with 4 other bunk bed mates and it helped being organised the night before when setting off for a pre-dawn start with head torches. The food provided was fine and portions adequate to needs and the Chilean staff were all friendly and helpful. In summary whilst we have physically come down from the mountain tops we are still on an emotional high! Our entire Patagonian trip was nourishment for the heart and soul and a truly awesome experience to be immersed in such an incredible, diverse and unique natural environment - the sound of roaring rivers, the thunder of shifting glaciers , the winds through the forest and high peaks further complimented our sensory experience. There are many options for trekkers to explore in terms of walks and destinations within this mighty National Park to suit fitness and/or time constraints. Our advice would be take your time considering what you feel comfortable with challenging yourself (I was certainly apprehensive about my ability to complete the full 70km circuit and we ended up doing less kms towards the end which felt just fine and meant we we could have more time sitting on a rock admiring Grey glacier from a greater distance) and then make it happen, one beautiful step at a time - you might even glimpse a Puma along the way!
Pam Christmas » Self-Guided Paine W Trek
C. Cooper, UK. Photography Tour, Chile and Bolivia, April 2025 We had a truly amazing experience. Chile and Bolivia are stunning. Our guides were professional, knowledgeable and friendly. All of the guides said we had a very well planned itinerary that gave us the best chance of acclimatising to the altitude properly (the hike in Atacama and the trek to the Hot Springs before departing for Bolivia). Our driver in Bolivia was fantastic. He was professional and very competent. Despite the condition of the roads and the amount of time we spent travelling we always felt completely safe. The hotels in Bolivia were basic but charming. Some of the facilities were a bit more rustic than we had expected (no heating and/ or no hot water in the mornings) but we managed. Food was simple but good. Overall, it was a very special trip and has given us a lot of amazing memories. If someone asks what the best part was, I couldn’t decide because there were so many best bits….Moon Valley, the flooded Solar de Uyuni, The Milky Way, Sunsets & Sunrises, the Flamingos at Laguna Colorado. It was exhausting and unforgettable - just how we like it :-) I will eventually get to reviewing my photos and will send you some. Many thanks for your help in organising everything.
C. Cooper » Bolivia Uyuni Salt Flats 4WD Tour
