A Ready Mission Field

The western Ecuadoran province of Manabi, is one of its poorest. The greatest poverty there is found in the Jipijapa Canton about 40 miles south of the provincial capital of Portoviejo.

Ron and Nicki Coil stumbled upon a region in great need. Not only had the decline of the coffee economy produced great poverty, but an epidemic of sexual abuse has caused great suffering in much of Ecuador, and the province of Manabi in particular. The Coils found the soil already prepared when they met Flori, who for years had a heart to help young girls in crisis pregnancies in and around Jipijapa.

An Epidemic of Sexual Abuse

Some 3,000 girls under the age of 14 become pregnant annually in Ecuador.

80% of pregnancies among adolescent mothers in Ecuador are a result of sexual abuse, with more than half of the abusers being family members or individuals close to the family.

Maria’s Story: A Journey of Healing and Hope

“Maria,” an eleven-year-old girl from Jipijapa, faced unimaginable challenges. She was sexually abused by a close family member, leaving her filled with fear and confusion. At just eleven years old, “Maria” was pregnant, faced with navigating the complexities of her situation.

Prosperina Mission stepped in to provide “Maria” and her family with the support they desperately needed. We ensured that she received comprehensive medical care for herself and her unborn child, addressing their physical and emotional needs. Our dedicated team of professionals provided guidance and counseling, creating a safe space for “Maria” to heal and find hope.

We eventually brought “Maria” to a specialized hospital, where she successfully delivered her beautiful baby boy. Prosperina Mission is now caring for them both in their home, where her abuser no longer has access.

A Shortage of Medical Care

Jipijapa and the surrounding region have a single, 50-bed hospital serving a population of about 150,000. For many, medical care is completely out of reach.

Questions and Answers

  • Poverty in the rural areas of Ecuador hovered around 45-50% before 2020 and was exacerbated by the COVID19 pandemic. A typical household income might be $30USD per month.

  • According to Plan Internacional, seven Ecuadorian girls under the age of 14 give birth every day due to sexual abuse by a known adult.

    Some 3,000 girls under the age of 14 become pregnant annually. According to Ecuadorian legal regulations, all these cases are considered a crime of rape. Only a third of these cases were reported to or received any response from authorities. (Camacho & Mendoza, 2014).

  • In Ecuador, there are 10 homes directly run by the Ministry of Economic & Social Inclusion and 26 private shelters, that provide care for 2,528 children and adolescents, according to data from March 2018.

    We recently learned that World Vision Canada is working in the nearby Santa Ana area providing community development services.

    Also, we are working to establish a partnership with Young Life of Ecuador to reach out to the youth of Jipijapa and environs.

  • A study conducted on the prevalence of malnutrition in infants who attended the health center of Jipijapa canton in the period 2017-2019 among 235 children age 0 to 9, showed that 47.2% had a diagnosis of malnutrition. This problem intensified during the COVID- 19 pandemic in the whole of Ecuador.

  • Jipijapa (approximately 71,000 inhabitants) has a basic 50-bed hospital, which also serves the cantons of Puerto López, Paján, and other nearby parishes with over 150,000 inhabitants total. There is one primary health care center.

“The Hat” (or “el sombrero”) is an iconic feature of Jipijapa’s central plaza, “Parque Simon Bolivar Jipijapa.” Our partner, La Prosperina Foundation, now manages The Hat, which serves their own Hacienda La Prosperina coffee and other local foods by other vendors.

We hope to engage with many young people at this central gathering place and tell them of the hope we have in Christ.

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