Seed project: Until Every Child Knows They Are Not Alone
Consistency is the Greatest Gift.
In Ecuador, hundreds of children live in residential homes—not because they don’t have a place to stay, but because they are waiting for a place to belong. While food and shelter are essential, the greatest hunger these children face is the hunger for consistent presence.
At Fundación Contigo, our Residential Care Program—anchored by Project Semilla (The Seed)—is built on a simple, 15-year promise:
We don't just visit; we stay.
Project Semilla: Mentorship That Sticks
Launched to bridge the gap between institutional care and family-style support, Project Semilla is our flagship mentorship program. We believe that by planting "seeds" of time, art, music, games all centered around the Gospel, we can rewrite the future for children in group homes.
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Consistent Presence: Every Friday, our team and interns visit partner group homes. We aren't strangers bringing gifts; we are mentors bringing teaching, time, resources, and opportunities.
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Holistic Development: We use art therapy, sports, and music to help children process trauma and discover their unique, God-given identity.
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Spiritual Foundation: Every visit includes a time of prayer and Gospel teaching, ensuring every child knows they have a Father in heaven who will never leave them.
The Infrastructure of Hope
We believe that a child’s environment affects their soul. When we see a need in the homes we support, we act.
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The $10,000 Roof Restoration: In 2023, we repaired a major section of a Quito group home, ensuring 3 classrooms were safe and dry for the children.
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Playgrounds & Parks: We have installed sensory gardens and playgrounds, giving children a safe space to just "be kids."
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Hygiene & Nutrition: We provide thousands of rolls of toilet paper, hygiene kits, and supplemental groceries every year to ensure the homes can focus on care, not just survival.
A 15-Year Legacy of Trust
We currently support 5 Group Homes nationwide, housing over 300 residents. Our relationship with these homes is built on a decade and a half of trust with their directors and staff.
We don't just help the kids; we support the caregivers, providing them with the retreats and tools they need to avoid burnout.
Project Semilla isn't just a program; it's a network of trust. Seeing the same faces every week has given our children a sense of security they’ve never known before.
Director of a Partner Foster Home, Quito
How You Can
Help Plant the Seeds
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Sponsor an Child
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Sponsor Food for a Residential Home
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Sponsor Our Weekly Visits
Want to learn more about how to support without moving to Ecuador? Download our Sponsor Guide for prayer points, needs lists, and ways to get involved from home
Why residential homes choose With You International
For 15 years, we’ve built lasting relationships and established permanent roots in Ecuador. Our local presence allows us to connect churches and ministry teams with orphanages that need support, while ensuring every partnership is built on trust, safety, and lasting impact. We don’t simply bring teams to Ecuador—we build partnerships that continue serving children long after the trip ends.
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1. Trusted Local Leadership
Orphanage directors need to know that the teams they welcome will be safe, prepared, and respectful of their children and staff. With 15 years of experience in Ecuador, we provide professional translators, volunteer training and knowledgeable local coordination so our partners can serve with confidence.
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2. Support That Lasts Beyond the Trip
Orphanages need more than a few days of help. We integrate visiting teams’ projects into our year-round programs and have local staff who continue the work throughout the year. This means your church’s investment can contribute to ongoing care and meaningful progress, not just a temporary boost.
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3. Partnerships Built Around Real Needs
We work directly with directors to understand their priorities and identify how visiting teams can best serve. We handle the logistics and coordination, helping volunteers use their time, skills, and resources where they are genuinely needed—while allowing staff to focus on caring for the children.
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4. A Commitment to Lasting Change
We believe ministry should create a legacy, not just a memory. Our partnerships are built around long-term goals, with a commitment to carrying projects through and supporting the work beyond each visit. When you partner with us, you’re investing in relationships, programs, and progress that can make a difference in children’s lives for years to come.
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You can do more than visit. You can become part of a lasting story of hope in Ecuador. With You International connects your generosity and desire to serve with trusted local partnerships that turn short-term service trips into long-term impact.
