Fundación Don Bosco: education, care and new opportunities for children

The story of Fundación Don Bosco began before it was formally established. In the mid-1990s, German benefactors connected to the Salesian community became familiar with different social realities in Ecuador and arrived in Calderón, an area that at the time faced limited infrastructure, informal settlements and few employment opportunities. There, they identified a specific need: many mothers had to travel several hours to Quito for work and needed a safe place to leave their children. The initiative began by serving around 25 to 30 children and, on March 6, 2002, Fundación Don Bosco was officially established.

Jonathan Arturo Vivas Herrera, director and legal representative of the organization, explains that its work expanded as families’ needs changed. What initially operated as a childcare center later incorporated homework assistance, academic support, values-based education and other forms of assistance. Today, the Calderón location serves 120 children and, for the 2026–2027 school year, the foundation expects to reach 170 beneficiaries: 110 within the childcare center and another 60 through its non-formal education project.

“More than providing services, the foundation seeks to ensure that every child grows up with care, education, health and a sense of belonging.”

Support beyond the classroom

The challenges these families face are not limited to a lack of financial resources. The foundation works with households supported by informal employment, large families living in precarious conditions, people who have difficulty accessing healthcare services and children whose education may be affected by their household’s economic needs. In response, the organization maintains two main areas of work: early childhood care and non-formal education for children and adolescents.

Its support includes education, meals, health monitoring and psychological care. In Calderón, health checkups may take place once or twice a week, while periodic examinations are carried out in Chillogallo. The goal is not only to provide children with a place to stay during the day, but also to offer a safe environment that supports different aspects of their development. This work is based on the principles of the Salesian preventive system and also involves families through a shared-responsibility model.

One of the organization’s most significant achievements was the construction in Calderón of a building valued at approximately US$1.3 million, which donors named the “Palacio de los Niños”. The space was designed so that beneficiaries can learn, eat, play and interact in an environment that provides appropriate care.

Partnerships that expand the impact

Sustainability remains one of the foundation’s main challenges. According to Vivas, nearly 95% of the organization’s resources come from international donations, while around 5% comes from contributions agreed upon with families to cover immediate needs. Given this reality, partnerships with other institutions have become an important tool for expanding services and creating new opportunities.

Universities and higher education institutes participate through internships and community engagement projects that have helped support beneficiaries, paint facilities, repair playground equipment and improve resources for the dining area. Another initiative is “Sinfonía Primer Movimiento”, developed together with Orquesta Sinfónica del Mundo, through which between 25 and 30 children ages 8 to 12 began learning to play the violin with instruments and an instructor provided by the partner organization. Those who develop a particular interest in music may later have the opportunity to apply for full scholarships to continue their training.

“Impact is built when partnerships become real opportunities for children and their families.”

Health, education and opportunities

The foundation has also promoted health-related campaigns. Two dental care initiatives revealed that nearly 60% of the children examined had dental problems. In addition, through an outreach initiative, around 20 people without social security coverage were able to receive surgeries in Guayaquil free of charge.

Beyond the numbers, the work of Fundación Don Bosco can be seen in everyday situations: a mother who can complete her workday knowing that her child is in a safe place; a child who receives meals and academic support; a family that finds psychological guidance; or a student who discovers a new vocation through music. Its work seeks to turn assistance into opportunities for development and to support children from different angles, based on the understanding that protecting, educating and caring for them also means opening up possibilities for the future.