Ecuador
Country Overview
- Population: 17.5 million
- Area: 270,000 km2
- Climate: Tropical (coast and jungle) to cool (mountains)
- Capital: Quito
- Currency: US$
- People: 65% Mixed Race, 25% Indigenous, 7% European descent, 3% Afro-Ecuadorian
- Official Languages: Spanish, Kichwa
- Religion: 94% Christian (9% evangelical), 6% Other faiths/none
Ecuador is a country of great variety, with a tropical coast, eastern jungle regions and Andean mountains, while the Galapagos Islands are world famous for their rich bio-diversity.
Recent years have been characterised by frequent changes of president, as populist leaders are challenged by parliaments and the structures of state.
The recent leftist programme promotes links with similarly minded regimes that has left many Ecuadorians concerned, and has an expansive vision for health and education progress that has been affected by lower oil prices.
Substantial numbers of people move to the cities in the search for better education and employment prospects. Tourism is important to the economy and key exports include flowers, bananas and tuna.
There are a number of different indigenous people groups in Ecuador. In the highlands, the main group is the Kichwa people, who traditionally have worked the land. In the jungle region, the main groups are the Kichwa, Shuar, Huaorani and Achuar.
A strongly Catholic country, Ecuador has opened up to other religious influences. Evangelical churches of many flavours have grown, particularly Pentecostal and independent streams, with a favouring of large events over individual discipleship.
Small social action projects are on the increase (often in immediate response to needs rather than strategically planned). So are schools run by churches, along with other larger schemes attached to international aid agencies.
Team members are involved in a variety of different social action projects which aim to share the compassion of Christ. Some of these are with disadvantaged groups, such as children with learning disabilities, and children and adults affected by HIV/Aids. Others are providing medical care in rural areas of the country. Many members are also involved with pastoral or youth work and discipleship in their local church context.
There are many opportunities to support Christian social action projects within the country with, for example, children at risk, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Schools work also has many possibilities in various cities. In the local church context, there is a strong need for discipleship training.
For more information, please see the Opportunities page of our International website (this will open a new tab).