CWOW Blog — Ecuador

After meeting with Casa mis Sueños in Quito, we traveled to Cayambe, a rural town about an hour north of Quito. Also located in the highlands of Ecuador, the weather was mild and dry. We learned the main economic driver for the area is flower plantations. During our drive, we saw roadside stands with several dozen roses selling for $5. The white rectangles of the greenhouses for the flower plantations littered the landscape. Our friends in Cayambe, SUMAK, provide support to indigenous Cayambe and Otavalo women who have experienced domestic violence and intervene on child labor law violations. We graduated...

Creative Women of the World offered Unlocking Your Design to the beneficiaries of Casa mis Sueños (CMS), taught by Quito native, Ana Cristina. Tailored to address the unique challenges faced by women looking to reshape their lives, the program integrates basic business knowledge, practical budgeting skills, and essential financial literacy. The program instills a triple bottom line approach (People, Planet, Profit), emphasizing the significance of considering family and community impacts while operating a business. It encourages students to embrace the assets they already possess, no matter how modest, fostering a sense of self-worth and potential. Mela, co-founder of Casa mis Sueños...