In the midst of poverty, illness, and uncertainty, Eva has fought tirelessly to support her family with the little she has. Each day she faces scarcity, exhaustion, and the emotional weight of not knowing if it will be enough—yet she continues moving forward for her children and for the young nephew she chose to love as her own. In a reality marked by need, God opened a door through Pan de Vida. Through the hot meal program, food kits, hygiene supplies, and school materials, Pan de Vida is not only meeting urgent needs but also restoring dignity, bringing relief, and planting hope in the heart of this family. What once felt like mere survival is now beginning to transform into the possibility of a different future.
TESTIMONY
Eva is a 45-year-old woman who lives in central Quito with her two children, ages 16 and 6, her 40-year-old brother, and her 6-year-old nephew. Sadly, her nephew was abandoned by his mother as a baby and was raised by his grandmother. After her passing, Eva chose to take full responsibility for the child. At that time, Eva had a stable income working as a tourism promoter, but she lost her job five years ago and has faced serious financial hardship ever since.
She and her brother Andrés now work collecting recyclable materials from trash bins and taking them to recycling centers, where they receive minimal payment. They also sell Maggi seasoning cubes on the street. These unstable jobs generate approximately $210 per month, placing them below the national extreme poverty line.
These circumstances create significant emotional and psychological stress for Eva, which negatively affects the entire family. Stress and poor nutrition likely contribute to the health problems they face. Eva suffers from painful kidney stones, and one of her children has been diagnosed with parasites and a weakened immune system. Despite these challenges, Eva tries to provide healthy meals for her family, such as rice with chicken and tomato for breakfast. However, there are many days when food is insufficient, and she eats only twice a day while her children are at school.
Another urgent need the family faces is adequate housing. Currently, five people live in a two-room space with only two single mattresses among them. The apartment lacks proper furniture and has poor lighting, with only a small area beside one of the rooms where the children can play. The home is located on a very busy street filled with vendors and traffic, leaving the younger children with almost no safe space to play outside.
Despite all these hardships, Eva holds on to hope that her situation can improve. Pan de Vida has provided her family with access to the hot meal program and food kits to support their nutrition and reduce household expenses. The foundation has also offered hygiene kits and school supplies to help support the children’s academic performance. Eva’s case is one among many that require both physical assistance and spiritual hope. We invite you to join us in any way you can—through prayer, material donations, or financial support for the most vulnerable.
“So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.” – Matthew 7:12
