In the Chimborazo Province of Ecuador, two MSC priests, Fr Marcelo Campoverde and Fr Jose Baak, minister to families and communities across two mission areas. This includes over 13,500 people across 22 rural communities in the indigenous parish of San Francisco de Asís, plus a population of almost 18,000 people across 29 indigenous communities in the parish of San Juan Evangelista.
Faith in the community
The Missionaries of the Sacred Heart have been serving the region for almost 30 years, since 1998, and work from a parish house based in San Francisco de Asís. The challenges faced in the region are many and varied, including poverty, widespread malnutrition, particularly in children, lack of employment prospects, poor educational opportunities, and mobility issues due to harsh weather conditions and difficult desert terrain. With some communities a two-hour drive away by car, transport is extremely problematic, and these indigenous populations suffer greatly for lack of immediate care.
Helping poor families
Caring for future generation
Helping in remote rural areas
“It’s a very poor diocese,” writes Fr Marcelo. “Alms for Masses raise less than €10. We hold four Masses a month, and we raise about €35 in this way.”
MSC ministry with indigenous communities
in rural Ecuador
Youth ministry in action
“Most of our communities are of the indigenous culture Mestizo, and speak the Kichwa language. I, too, am an indigenous person, and I suffered greatly growing up. I was discriminated against at the university. Several times I was told that I wasn’t good for studying, that I was only good for taking care of pigs, and that I shouldn’t waste my time there. I am very grateful to my congregation of the MSC for the help they were able to give me to move forward, and that is why I always strive to continue forward in this beautiful mission they have entrusted to me.”