In early November 2024, Misty Lucas and Adriana Chaves traveled to Ecuador as part of Gladney’s ongoing efforts to advocate for children and strengthen our international adoption program. Their time in Ecuador was filled with impactful meetings, collaborative planning, and cultural exchange. These trips are essential in supporting our mission to find loving families for children in need.

Building Connections Across Quito and Ambato

The trip began with a day and a half in the vibrant capital city of Quito, where Misty and Adriana engaged in discussions and planning with local adoption advocates. From there, they traveled to Ambato, dedicating three and a half days to working with local adoption teams and exploring opportunities to enhance advocacy efforts for children in care.

Training for Adoption Professionals

Adriana led three full days of training for adoption teams (UTA members), the committee responsible for matching children with families (CAF), and staff from the homes and institutions where children reside. These sessions were designed to improve processes and provide tools to better advocate for children and ensure they are matched with families who truly meet their needs.

Strategic Planning for Adoption

Misty and Adriana collaborated with Gladney’s in-country representative to develop a strategic plan focused on increasing adoptions in Ecuador. Together, they identified areas where support is most needed and outlined steps to create more successful outcomes for children and families.

Advocacy Meetings with MIES Leadership

During the trip, Misty and Adriana had the privilege of meeting with key leaders from the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion (MIES), Ecuador's central authority for adoptions. Their conversations with the subdirector of adoptions focused on the possibility of hosting programs that could open new avenues for advocacy. Extensive discussions with the director of adoptions centered on improving child files, understanding cultural nuances, and emphasizing the critical role of detailed information in finding the right families for children.

Understanding, Advocacy, and Collaboration

This trip was not only about advancing adoption processes but also about fostering mutual understanding. By spending time immersed in Ecuadorian culture, Misty and Adriana gained deeper insights into the challenges and strengths of the local adoption system. In turn, the professionals they met recognized the value of transparent communication and the importance of comprehensive child files to ensure the best outcomes for children.

Together, these efforts represent a shared commitment to one goal: finding permanent, loving families for vulnerable children in Ecuador.

If you have questions about the highlights of this trip or would like to learn more about Gladney’s Ecuador Program, email Misty Lucas at misty.lucas@gladney.org.

Let’s continue to advocate for children and create brighter futures, one family at a time.

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