In April and May, the city of Guayaquil in Ecuador continued to experience extremely violent events making the peripheral areas where JUCONI operates, even more unsafe. Despite these obstacles, the process of intervention and prevention was maintained and intensified even though there were times when the team had to evacuate an area due to a lack of security.

In April, members of the JUCONI team were able to provide an integrated service to accompany and assist families enrolled on the programme to receive their COVID-19 vaccinations.

As a result, the number of infections decreased, as well as their severity. In addition, JUCONI helped these families to receive small kits of vitamins and medicines, especially those who remain particularly vulnerable due to a medical condition. 

In May, when schools reopened, the children and adolescents on the programme were reintegrated into the education system. This was carried out through intensive monitoring by our key workers and resulted in the vast majority enrolling  and attending classes. A kit containing school equipment and a uniform was also delivered to each family to encourage and promote a positive commitment by the children and their caregivers to education.

In addition, in order to strengthen a sense of well-being in the children and their caregivers, the JUCONI team organised a number of excursions and walks in safer areas away from their communities.

The adults and children on the programme have said that these ‘away days’ have provided a place of refuge for listening, understanding and support. Consequently, we have decided to prioritise the implementation of a variety of these excursions to continue to enhance our work.