Imagine living in a cold, rainy, mountainous region near the equator, with very limited income, and a bathroom that’s an outdoor hole surrounded by a tarp. Each day is a struggle to maintain dignity and privacy, particularly for women living in such conditions.
In August 2024, 15 volunteers from the JAX Church in Jacksonville, FL, serving in partnership with HOPE worldwide Ecuador, along with brothers and sisters from the Orlando and Broward (South Florida) churches, participated in the HOPE worldwide Ecuador Worthy Bathroom Program. The team served in the mountainous region of Cuyuacu, located three hours south of Quito and one hour south of Ambato. During the trip, they completed several bathrooms and spent time with the indigenous families of the community. Earlier that summer, a HOPEww Volunteer Corps team served many families and children by constructing a greenhouse to help grow food.
Volunteers served in a difficult climate and at high altitude alongside the local community to construct bathrooms that connect directly to the homes. Trenches were dug by hand, concrete was sifted by hand, block walls were built and painted, roofs and doors were added, and plumbing was connected to a septic system away from the home. Each bathroom has lighting, a new toilet, sink, and shower. Hygiene instructions were posted on the wall, and volunteers taught safe handwashing.
HOPE worldwide Ecuador, which is based in Quito, maintains a strong ongoing relationship with this community and models “doing with” rather than “doing for.” They also partner with a small group of disciples in nearby Ambato, a church planted in 2022. Disciples worshiped together in both Quito and Ambato, which has been very encouraging. Fellowship among disciples, worship, bus ride devotionals, shared meals, morning coffee runs, and a little tourism all help the volunteers grow spiritually and build strong relationships.
In 2024, the HOPE worldwide JAX chapter contributed $6,000 to help provide construction materials, scholarships, and supplies for volunteers from Quito and the United States. We also received $1,500 in employee volunteer assistance grants from Bank of America for the service of three of our volunteers who are Bank of America employees.
From August 8-18, 2025, another group of volunteers returned to construct additional bathrooms for families in the region. For that trip, the HOPE worldwide JAX chapter helped raise funds to purchase construction materials, reaching a goal of $6,500 through an MLK Day Fun Run in January, volunteering at the GATE River Run, and through personal and corporate donations. This past fall, we received an additional $13,500 for construction materials, tools, and to provide scholarships to offset participation fees in 2026.
To date, 57 bathrooms have been completed, and the goal is to complete 80 or more. The cost to build one bathroom is about $350. Tax-deductible donations may be made to HOPE worldwide Ecuador. We keep a separate fund for construction materials and have raised nearly $26,000 total for scholarship assistance and for purchasing construction materials locally, which also supports the Ecuadorian economy.
Consider joining us from July 31 – August 9, 2026. Full details will be available in December 2025. The application fee covers meals, housing, and transportation in-country. Volunteers are responsible for airfare and personal medical/travel insurance. The total cost is approximately $2,000, and scholarship assistance is available. If you cannot travel but want to support the work, you can make a tax-deductible donation to HOPE worldwide Ecuador. We are also looking for medical professionals to serve the community during our time there.
Participant Reflections
Keith Davis, minister at the JAX church, shared that this experience “is a crash course in empathy. When you leave, your hearts are always full because of the seeds you have exchanged in each other’s hearts.”
HOPE worldwide Ecuador country director Edwin said, “For all the team, for me it has been an experience to be able to share so much with each one. Seeing your love for God and your compassion has helped me understand what Jesus’ example is like. I aspire to achieve that. Thank you for everything you have done for the community to meet their needs.”
Another volunteer said “It is not just about building bathrooms. It is about building relationships, not only with the Cuyuacu community, but also growing spiritually with our brothers and sisters.”
In John 13:4–5, Jesus teaches us the lesson of the towel when he washed his disciples’ feet. When we serve others in this way, we become more like him and our hearts are purified.
For questions and more information, email Jim Mackie, [email protected]. If you cannot go but would like to support this effort, you can make a tax-deductible donation to HOPE worldwide Ecuador.
