DCF Activities April 2026

Barbara
17 uur geleden
3 minuten om te lezen

Sponsor-walk Antisana – volcano in Ecuador

Sunday June 7th is the day: after 12 years I am returning to Ecuador, a country that has a lasting place in my heart. I lived, traveled and worked there as a volunteer between 2010 and 2011 and returned again in 2014.

During that period, Ambato was my home base, where I was involved with Daniëlle Children's Fund (DCF), in the then temporary shelter for children who could not live safely at home. As an administrative coordinator, I experienced up close how complex situations can be, but also how much becomes possible if you really listen and work together. It was an impressive and educational time. Even though I have no background in social work or psychology, I quickly found my place there, precisely because of the people and the involvement I experienced there. Ecuador is a beautiful country, with very beautiful people.

My last day at work at the center in Ambato (Nov. 2011)

What struck me then and what still inspires me is how DCF works: not for people, but with people.

Since my return to the Netherlands, I have remained connected as a board member of DCF, something I do with great pride. Not always easy from a distance, but it gives me the opportunity to stay involved in an organization that continues to develop.

And that development is very special

Where the emphasis used to be on childcare, it is now much more on strengthening families and communities, so that children can grow up at home as much as possible. Together with families, young people and local partners, we are working on solutions that come from within. Think of support at home, support groups, workshops for young people and cooperation with the government on children's rights.

Today you see this very concretely in Pifo, a community near Quito. A community center has been built there together with residents. Not a project “from outside”, but a place that really belongs to the community itself. Where people come together, meet each other and step by step make their environment safer for children.

Pifo: activities organized by the Youth club and a workshop about pastry cooking.

Sometimes the power lies in the little things:

- a movie evening on the square so that people dare to go outside again,

- a workshop where conversations arise,

- a place where you can share your story and notice that you are not alone.

I'm really looking forward to being there again, seeing what has grown over all these years and being part of this special work again.

The challenge: Antisana

To support this work, I am taking on a physical challenge: a sponsored walk on Antisana, a volcano in the Andes, at an altitude of approximately 4,000 meters. That will be quite tough - the altitude, the cold, the effort.

But it also puts things into perspective. The challenges that many families in Ecuador live with every day are of a completely different order. That is precisely why it feels important to me to link this walk to something that really matters.

❤️ Would you like to contribute? ❤️

With this sponsored walk I want to raise money for the work of DCF in Ecuador. Every contribution - large or small - helps to continue and grow these initiatives.

I would be happy to take you along in the preparation and journey via Facebook / Instagram / LinkedIn and the DCF website.

Thank you for your support, involvement and trust!

Sponsor-walk for the community center in Pifo

With your contribution you will help us enormously to continue this important work.

You can support by making a payment via: