EARLY DAYS
Our History began in England. We met each other in West London, Acton where I, Dave was working with Berrymead Evangelical Church.
In 1997 Ana arrived to the UK and lived there for ten years. She is Ecuadorian – and Quiteña meaning she was born in Quito. We married in 1999. In the 90’s I had the privilege to visit the favelas in Brazil. This trip had a deep impact on me. Developing a vision to work with children and young people from poor and disadvantaged backgrounds.
I shared with Ana this vision and we travelled to a project in North East Brazil with a view of possibly working there in a project that was already up and running. But the doors didn’t seem to open with regards visas and papers. To cut a long story short we approached the Charity that I was connected with in the UK called ‘Hand in Hand’ and they agreed to support us in a new venture here in Ecuador. In 2006 we started a work in El Tingo – a small town just outside of Quito.
EL TINGO
The project was called ‘La Fuente’ (meaning fountain, spring ) Our work initially was with Children and young people in the area helping mainly in terms of Education and Holiday clubs etc.
In 2008 we moved to a new and more spacious place in the same town. We are grateful to God for the way he provided through friends in the UK for this place and the way He has continued to provide in the years following.
In 2009 we opened under the name of Mano & Mano (Hand and Hand). We now run as an independent organisation. We continue to work with Children in after school club activities. We also provide youth clubs and teaching English for the youth… We have been involved in local schools helping teach English and giving sessions to young people about how to make a difference in society. God willing our plan is to work more with families in the coming months and years.
THANKS
We have teams that come to us to work with the children and the youth from the UK and the USA. As well teams have come to help with the practical building side of the work.
The Project is funded through the generous and kind support of individuals, and churches in the UK of which we want to express our continued sense of gratitude.
We look forward to how God wants to use the project to bless others in the future.
Ana Y Dave
VALUES
As a Community project we seek to value people before buildings, ideas, programs, finance. We want to be marked with Grace, Forgiveness, Humility. And above all things Love
(1 Corinthians 13: 1-8, Micah 6:8.)
