May 30, 2006
Age: 18
Boy
Jonathan is 18 years old and lives in Ecuador.
Ecuador has been identified as country that is highly vulnerable to food shortages during the global food crisis. Sponsorship can help Jonathan and his family get the nourishment they need.
I live with my mother and father in the Libertad area. The primary language where I live is Spanish. My father is sometimes employed as a construction worker. At home, the chores and duties I'm responsible for are cleaning and running errands. I like soccer and/or football. My favourite activity at church is Sunday school. My favourite activity at the centre is learning about God. I am in the equivalent of grade 12. My favourite subject is Math.
Straddling the equator, Ecuador is home to two massive mountain ranges that split the country into three distinct zones. The lowlands are hot and humid, while the highlands are more temperate. To the east lie tropical rainforests and river valleys. Farther out to sea, in the west, lie the Galapagos Islands.
The Ecuadorian population is more urban than rural, and most of its people are of Indigenous or mixed ancestry. Spanish is the official language, and Catholicism is the most common religion, but many people speak Quechua or Shuar and practise traditional religions. Cash crops like bananas are complemented by mining and manufacturing, and petroleum production has been a major, if inconsistent, contributor to the local economy.
Spanish conquistador Francisco Pizarro first invaded Ecuador in 1532 and soon controlled it. In 1830, the county won its independence from the larger independent state of Gran Colombia. Border disputes with Peru led to war in 1941, and conflicts continued until the border was officially demarcated in 1998. Military-backed authoritarian governments dominated Ecuador's politics until the mid-20th century, but since then, Ecuador has been one of the more stable democracies in the region. The government made the controversial move to replace its national currency with the US dollar in 2000 in an attempt to stabilize the economy. Since then, Ecuador has struggled with disputes over economic policies and Indigenous rights. Despite the boom-and-bust cycle of its economy and internal disputes, it has continued to grow and has become an increasingly popular tourist destination.
Compassion’s ministry is focused on what we call holistic child development. This means developing children in all the different aspects of their lives—their minds, bodies and relationships—while giving them the opportunity to hear about and experience the love of Jesus from caring local church staff and volunteers.
Absolutely not! We encourage children and families of all faiths and backgrounds to register in our programs and would never require or coerce anyone to convert to Christianity.
Learn MoreToday, children around the world are discovering that poverty doesn’t have to be their future. Help one more do the same by sponsoring with Compassion!
While we're sorry you could not sponsor this specific child, we would love to help you find a different child to sponsor.
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