DCF Activities November 2025

Dear friends of DCF,

The past few months in Pifo have been very community-focused. Through workshops, traditional celebrations, and spaces for mutual learning, the community once again showed that protection and well-being grow when people come together to care for one another. At DCF, we have supported this movement with activities focused on emotional health, cultural identity, and the active participation of children, adolescents, and educators.

In this newsletter, we are also happy to introduce two new team members, Rocío and Cecilia, who join our mission with great enthusiasm and dedication.

As we shape the 2026 Plan, we renew our commitment to Pifo. These months of shared work reflect the path we want to continue on: one where the community is the main driver of its own well-being.

And finally, with Christmas approaching, we would like to invite you to join a gesture of solidarity that goes beyond borders. Your support during this time will allow us to continue our community project and strengthen the connections we build every day. Together, we can make this season a moment of hope and transformation for Pifo.

A warm welcome!

The DCF team

New Faces, Shared Dreams: Meet Rocío and Cecilia

We are very pleased to welcome two professionals who have joined DCF to strengthen our work in Pifo through their unique experiences and perspectives.

Rocío Gómez, from the Kitu Kara Community, is a Social Communicator and Visual Anthropologist with experience in community communication and audiovisual production. She joins DCF to support communication processes within Pifo.

Cecilia Lema, from the Kichwa Otavalo community, is a professional in Ecological Tourism with experience in community-based tourism development and socioeconomic inclusion. She joins DCF to contribute to tourism, organizational, economic, and social areas, collaborating together with the people of Pifo.

Community First Aid Workshop: Learning to Care

Earlier this month, DCF held a Basic First Aid Workshop open to the Pifo community. The meeting aimed to provide practical tools to respond to common emergencies — choking, burns, cuts, and other accidents that can occur at home, school, or in neighborhood spaces.

The session combined demonstrations, guided practice, and open conversation about staying calm, recognizing personal limits, and activating emergency services on time.

Yadira, a participant, shared what the workshop meant to her:

“The workshop was very nice because I learned ways to help others when someone chokes, gets burned, or gets cut. I liked that we practiced examples since these things happen in real life, and now I would know what to do. And if I don’t know, I know I should call 911. I think I can help by explaining to others how to act in those moments.”

Her words reflect the goal of the workshop: fostering safety, solidarity, and shared responsibility among those who live together in the community.

Colada Morada and Wawas de Pan: Tradition, Remembering, and Identity

In Ecuador, November 2nd holds deep cultural significance. We prepare colada morada and wawas de pan, a blend of Indigenous heritage, agricultural rituals, and family symbolism, honouring those who are no longer with us, celebrating community life, and connecting people to their territory.

These foods trace back to pre-Hispanic Indigenous rituals that paid tribute to ancestors and marked the agricultural cycle. Colada morada, made with purple corn, Andean fruits, and spices, symbolized the bond between life, death, and fertile land. Wawas de pan, bread shaped like babies, represented loved ones who had passed away and were part of community offerings during this time.

Over the centuries, these traditions mixed with Christianity and became a family and cultural celebration that brings generations together. Today, preparing and sharing these foods remains an act of remembering, community, and Ecuadorian identity.

Pifo was no exception: children, adolescents, and families gathered in the community library to knead dough, stir the colada, and share moments.

Jonathan “Pardo” described it like this:

“That Saturday was great because both the morning and afternoon groups came together. We hadn’t met in a long time. We kneaded dough, stirred the colada, and all shared. The wawa de pan was delicious. The best part was being there without problems, just enjoying together.”

Beyond cooking, the activity strengthened relationships and created a space for intergenerational connection where culture is lived, shared, and passed on.

Psychological First Aid Workshops in Schools

In addition to community activities, DCF offered Psychological First Aid workshops for teachers and school staff. These sessions provided tools to support students facing emotional crises or risky situations.

The workshops covered strategies for emotional containment, assertive communication, activating support routes, and teacher self-care. Everything was approached in a practical, flexible way adapted to each school’s context.

Christian of the DCF team highlighted the importance of strengthening professional skills:

“What we want is to expand teachers’ tools to respond to crises or emergencies - both with their students and with families when difficult situations arise.”

This work has helped more teachers in Pifo feel prepared to respond with empathy, clarity, and calm during delicate moments in school life.

Night of the Tips

This month we were happy and surprised to be nominated by Wilde Ganzen for the Night of the Tips.  It’s a fun annual action where restaurants and cafés give their tips to a good cause — and Wilde Ganzen doubles the total amount raised.

Because we were nominated, we made a short video together with the Youth Club in Pifo. The adolescents shared that in Pifo it is easier to get drugs than a sandwich, because drugs you can get for free and for a sandwich you have to pay.  We ended up in second place, and even though we really wanted first, we shared great moments together. And honestly — we’re super proud of the adolescents and how the video turned out.

We’d love for you to watch it! https://youtu.be/gRHlT7t51T4 

The Community Plan for 2026

We are currently immersed in planning for 2026. For this, we have held conversations with the community and partner organizations, aiming to continue working together to protect children and adolescents.

Our focus is on strengthening the processes of the Community Project, encouraging community ownership and ensuring the sustainability of actions that help build a safer Pifo.

Although 2026 was initially considered the final year of the project, we have agreed to evaluate progress mid-year and collectively decide the next steps: extend the project, replicate it in other communities, or close this stage.

Thank You for Being with Us!

We are deeply grateful to everyone who has made this journey possible. Thanks to your energy and commitment, we continue building a stronger, more supportive, and hopeful Pifo.

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Christmas – How to Support the Community of Pifo

An invitation for this Christmas season

As the holiday season arrives, we invite you to support the community project we are building together with Pifo. Thanks to the generosity of our partners and friends, we have already secured most of the funding for 2026.. This gives us a strong foundation to continue our work.

To complete the 2026 budget, we are still looking for USD 24,000, which represents 15% of the total project cost. Your contribution —small or large— will help close this final gap and ensure that the community activities continue without interruption.

Your support helps strengthen local leadership, sustain daily activities, and create safer, more participatory environments for children and adolescents.

Support us here

:IBAN: NL23ABNA0621779652

Daniëlle Children’s Fund

Noordwijk

BIC: ABNANL2A