Philosophy of the Project

The Quito Project believes the most effective interventions and models for change are sustainable. The Quito Project strives not simply to provide a handout, but to empower community members and give them the tools they need to succeed, live healthier lives, and rise out of poverty. In the case of The Quito Project, sustainability means integrating our programs and interventions into the community as well as providing education to community members, enabling them to make use of the resources available to them to achieve their goals. With a substantial component of the project dedicated to the education of children, The Quito Project hopes to build a generation of independent, self-confident, and well-educated citizens, further adding to the long-term effects of sustainability. Here is one example of how The Quito Project is evolving to become more sustainable:

In the premiere year of The Quito Project, our medical clinic distributed vitamins to all patients, as many of them were not meeting their nutritional requirements with their usual diet. The subsequent year, we incorporated nutrition classes into the project, to teach community members about food selection and preparation. Food pyramid instruction and cooking lessons were an integral part of this course. This year, we will return to Quito with the hopes of identifying three to four community members interested in taking advanced nutrition classes and then leading classes in Quito with the help of a scholarship provided by The Quito Project.

We are taking similar measures to promote sustainability in every component of the project.

Along with sustainability, The Quito Project follows a partnership model, in which needs are identified and outlined by community members and our partner non-profit organization in Ecuador. Providing necessary manpower, resources, and skills, The Quito Project collaborates with our partners in Quito to design, create, and implement effective programs.

Philosophy of our Leadership

The Quito Project is a unique leadership experience for the students involved. Members of the Board of Directors and Executive Board not only lead large teams of students and implement initiatives, but also identify the need for new initiatives and take steps necessary to design and create new interventions and programs. Leadership roles and duties are therefore not simply handed down from one generation of leaders to the next.

This leadership philosophy applies not only to board members, but to all Quito Project volunteers. The Quito Project was founded and expanded as a result of student volunteers who saw a problem, researched it, proposed a potential solution, and then implemented it. Each Quito Project volunteer is encouraged not only to carry out his duties as a volunteer, but to use his creativity and think of ways to improve the project and better serve the community.