Activities in Switzerland
Fritada
Our 2024 Support Meal
Our support meal took place on October 6, 2024, at the Grande Salle in Oulens-sur-Echallens.
We warmly thank the commune of Oulens for providing the hall, which is always practical and pleasant, allowing us to organize this event in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
It was also a great opportunity to meet people, and discover Ecuadorian handicrafts.
This year, we were fortunate to benefit from free consultations offered by Professor M. Cong from SinoSanté.
During the event, participants enjoyed a typical Ecuadorian dish, accompanied, as always, by a welcome cocktail and our tasting dessert, thanks to the valuable support of Renate.
And to top it all off, the karaoke gave us the chance to go off-key in style and reveal hidden (or not-so-hidden…) talents in an atmosphere full of laughter, applause… and a few unforgettable high-pitched surprises!
We extend our heartfelt thanks to all the volunteers who helped us and worked with great energy and commitment to make this important event for our association possible. For more photos, click here.
A special thank you to: Alexia, Anthony, Carlos, José, Kelly, Laura, Magali, Manuel, Nathanael, Nicolas, Philippe, Vincent, and Zachary.
“A great volunteer, hard to find, hard to leave, impossible to forget.”
Anonymous
Our Trésor à Petit Prix has travelled through many places this year — each stop a simple, precious moment to share our work and enjoy heartfelt reunions.
If you, too, feel called to spread a little kindness by passing on small but meaningful items — things you no longer need but that could brighten another family’s life — feel free to reach out to us.
Renens – 25 mai 2024
A huge THANK YOU to Annette, Joël, Laurent, and Ariane, ! Thanks to you, we were able to set up our little stand full of Ecuadorian sunshine right in the heart of your flea markets 🧺🇪🇨
Thank you for your warm welcome, your generosity, and your smiles. You inspire us to keep going, again and again. Together, we go far. 🌍✨
“Generosity is always self-sacrifice, it is its essence.”
Henry de Montherlant
Stands
🎉 Wandering through our stands is like taking a mini adventure straight to the heart of Ecuador! Each piece on display is a little gem, handcrafted with love and skill by artisans from every corner of the country — even the ones you won’t find on Google Maps. 🗺️✨
But wait, there’s more! Beyond the beauty of the crafts, you’ll also get a glimpse into the meaningful work our association is doing in Ecuador. Because behind every object, there’s a story, a smile, and a commitment to making a difference. 💛
So come take a look (or two), have a chat with us, and maybe leave with a unique souvenir… and a heart just a bit fuller. 😉
Saturday, June 1, 2024 – Grand Spring Market, Morges
Saturdays August 3 and 10, 2024 – Village markets, Place de la Barboleuse, in Gryon
Saturday, October 12, 2024 – Migros Cossonay
Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October 2024 – Migros Vevey – Midi Coindet
Saturday, November 2, 2024 – Migros Etoy
Saturday November 9, 2024 – Migros la Tour-de-Peilz
Saturday, November 16, 2024 – Migros Genève Plainpalais
The weekend of November 23 and 24, 2024 and the weekend of November 30 and December 1 – Restoroute Bavois
A huge thank you to Adam, Ana, Elios, Gilles, Gloria, Kelly, Olivier, and Vincent — our everyday heroes, always showing up with boundless energy and smiles that could outshine the sun ☀️🧡 Throughout the year, you brought our stands to life with kindness, good vibes, and team spirit. Without you, things just wouldn’t have been the same!
And hey — if you reading this feel a little spark at the thought of joining something meaningful… go for it! Volunteering with us is a boost of joy, connection, and purpose — hands down the best remedy for gloomy days (side effects may include spontaneous laughter and new friendships 😄💊). There’s always a spot waiting for kind souls like you.
“True generosity toward the future consists of giving everything to the present.”
Albert Camus
The travellers of 2024
🐻✨ Let’s be real… saying goodbye to your childhood teddy is kind of like parting ways with someone who never judged you — not when you cried over cartoons, not during midnight pasta feasts, not even when you were definitely old enough to sleep without backup. That plush pal has seen it all: the bad dreams, the big feelings, the flu days, the snuggles after heartbreaks. So yeah, letting go? It’s tough. 😢
But picture this: your beloved fluffball setting off on a brand-new adventure — in the arms of a little one who doesn’t know it yet, but needs them just as much. A new cuddle mission. A new best friend. Tiny hands, wild imaginations, and endless love. 🧸💕
So if you’ve got stuffed animals ready for their next big journey, we’re here all year round playing matchmaker! Give us a shout and let your plush pal start a new chapter. Who knows… maybe one day, they’ll send you a postcard from their new life. 📬😉
A heartfelt thank you to Agatha, Angela, Constance, Éric, José, Madeleine, Martine, Sylvia — and to all the generous donors who, throughout the year, give these beloved plush companions a new beginning. Thanks to you, each stuffed friend finds a new heart to warm. 🧸💫
The winners of the 2024 Christmas Raffle
The big Tombola draw took place on December 12th, 2024!
So… who’s doing a happy dance in their living room? Maybe YOU! 😄🍀
Want to find out who luck smiled on? Watch the draw video right here.
Volunteers’ raffle
Being a volunteer with us isn’t just about lending a hand… it’s about spreading a little magic all year round and lighting up families’ eyes with joy at Christmas 🌟💛
Thanks to a big-hearted team, our projects come to life, our impact grows, and smiles appear right where they’re needed most.
And because every kind gesture deserves to be celebrated, we added a little extra fun: surprise gifts were raffled off to thank our amazing volunteers 🎁✨.
The winners of the 2024 Volunteers’ Raffle
Sharing our Christmas meal with our volunteers
Between exquisite bites and perfectly chosen sips, we feasted like royalty… in flip-flops and fits of laughter! The games awakened our inner child, and the winners shone like shooting stars. Thank you, dear big-hearted volunteers: may 2025 bring you a thousand successes—and many joys!
Ecuador Activities
Quito
Quito, located at over 2,800 meters above sea level in the heart of the Andes, is not only Ecuador’s political capital but also a major cultural and historical center. Its historic center—one of the best preserved in Latin America—was the first to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. The city is surrounded by impressive volcanoes such as Pichincha, Cotopaxi, and Cayambe, offering spectacular scenery to residents and visitors alike. Wikipédia
Economically, Quito is one of the country’s key engines, hosting a significant portion of Ecuador’s industrial, commercial, and governmental activity. However, despite its vitality, the city still faces social challenges.
According to Ecuador’s National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC), the poverty rate in Quito in 2022 was 15.8%, with 5.6% of residents living in extreme poverty. This means that around 16 out of every 100 people in Quito live on less than $88.72 per month, and nearly 6 on less than $50 monthly. While these figures are below the national average, they reflect ongoing inequalities—especially between urban and rural zones. Ecuador Chequea
Please note that exact figures for 2024 are not yet published. However, at the national level, poverty increased to 28% in December 2024, with extreme poverty reaching 12.7%, marking a rise compared to the previous year. Eluniverso
🎄 A Christmas Full of Hope! 🎄
Quito opened its doors—and its heart—to us. Our Christmas mission took place in the capital of Ecuador, where love turned into action at the Ministry El Cordero de Dios’s coliseum, right in the heart of the La Floresta neighborhood. From this gathering point, we joyfully and wholeheartedly set out to visit the most vulnerable areas of the city: La Vicentina Alta and Baja, La Floresta, the Historic Center, La Alameda, El Ejido, La Carolina, and we reached even further north to places like Carapungo, Calderón, Llano Chico, San Juan de Calderón, and more.
Walking through these streets in December is a true privilege. We met many elderly people running small street stalls, trying to earn just enough to meet their most basic needs. But the most touching moment came on December 24th. Despite the rain, they arrived wearing their best clothes, with children and grandchildren by their side, full of hope to return home with a gift… and a warm, dignified meal.
But that day, a spark of hope lit up their eyes, knowing that from the other side of the world, someone thought of them with love.
Many of them carry stories marked by poverty, illness, neglect, and lack of access to healthcare and education.
Someone chose to share their Christmas dinner with a family who, though far away, felt close in spirit.
The children were not forgotten. In the gentle warmth of the moment, our Santa Claus appeared, accompanied by his loyal elves, his arms full of small gifts and his heart filled with joy. Our travelers, just arrived, were tenderly embraced by our Ecuadorian hosts, whose eyes shone with emotion as they awaited this magical moment.
After our time in Quito, we continued our visits to the cities of Latacunga, Saquisilí, and Pujilí, located south of the capital, as well as to Santo Domingo de los Tsáchilas, to the west. In each of these places, we met vulnerable individuals whose lives, often marked by hardship, remind us of the importance of our mission and the power of a simple act of solidarity.
To conclude our mission, we walked through the streets of Quito to deliver a basket to the recyclers, whom one usually meets early in the morning or late in the day as they carry out their daily work.
It’s impossible to put into words what we experienced — emotions, gratitude, smiles, embraces… We left with our hearts full. Because although we came to give, it was they who gave us so much in return.
🙏 We invite you to be part of this life-changing journey. Sponsor at least one family. For them, it’s a meal. For you, it might just be the most meaningful gift of your Christmas.
All that remains is for us to express our deepest gratitude.
To the Ministry “The Lamb of God,” which opened its doors to us and offered a home where kindness shines in every corner.
A heartfelt thank you to the traditional dance group, a true ray of culture and joy, for having elevated and enriched our Christmas program.
A special tribute to the group of big-hearted people who, with love and generosity, nourished every volunteer, turning this day into a true feast of warmth and kindness.
We would also like to acknowledge those political leaders who, for a brief moment, set aside their colors to blend in among us, incognito, sharing the simple magic of the moment with the children.
To our musicians, to the sound and camera team, and to our group in charge of welcoming guests: you made every laugh resonate like a melody, captured every look of wonder like a flash of light, and transformed every moment of grace into a star suspended in time, illuminating our shared adventure.
A special thought for the military, and even more so for Lieutenant José Luis Orbe of the 37th Motorized Infantry Battalion “Vencedores,” for his logistical support, unwavering commitment, and the dedication with which he accompanied every moment of this mission.
To all our volunteers — you brought this beautiful human adventure to life. Families were touched, smiles were shared, and so much joy spread thanks to your commitment.
Without you, this mission would not have had the same soul. You were the hands, the voices, and the hearts of this work of solidarity..Bravo!!!
.
After a full day’s work, our volunteers traded their gloves and tools for skewers, laughter, and stories to share! Between sizzling barbecues and shared smiles, everyone savored the moment…
Volunteering isn’t too shabby…
“A little help goes a long way.”
Germaine Guèvremont
The shadow magicians.
Alexia BERTOLI – ABExpert Fiduciare Sàrl
Thierry Jaccard – CoFIRev
The magicians behind the scenes are always by our side. Precious members of the UPPN family, they bring their expertise and consistency with admirable humility.
Thanks to them, our accounting, website, online store, social media, video, graphic art and even the linguistic proofreading of our reports shine with clarity and precision.
They help us stay on course, remain organized, and share our mission with accuracy and professionalism. Thank you for being there, for working with dedication and passion, and for helping our collective light shine! ✨
A special thank-you to all the generous hearts who support us — true artisans of generosity! ✨
Thanks to your donations, your visits to our stands, and your presence at the support dinner, we will be able to offer beautiful food baskets to families in need in Ecuador.
Because of you, these simple gestures will turn into immense smiles… and that’s something money can’t buy! ❤️
Thank you! Thank you!! Thank you!!!
VISIT OUR WEBSIDE FOR MORE INFORMATION
