This pas summer Youthlinc sent 2 teams to open our new site in Ecuador with the assistance of Nukari Foundation. Check out our inaugural projects in 2024.  

Through a US State Department program called Young Leaders of the Americas Initiative (YLAI), Youthlinc was connected to Norma Morena, who is the founder of Nukari Foundation, a nonprofit based in Riobamba and Guamote areas of Ecuador. 

Nukari Foundation’s work and goals complemented Youthlinc’s model incredibly well so Youthlinc did a site-visit to Ecuador to evaluate this new partnership. Youthlinc has established solid partnership with Nukari Foundation and evaluated all of the elements required to start a new site, including project potential, safety, accommodation, meals, excursions, and entering into a sustainable & mutually beneficial partnership with the local communities.

Ecuador is in South America, and has remarkable geographic diversity, encompassing the Amazon rainforest, the Andes mountain range, and the Pacific coastline. Its capital, Quito, is known for its well-preserved colonial architecture and sits high in the Andes. The Galápagos Islands, located off the coast, are renowned for their unique wildlife species that contributed to Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution. Ecuador’s economy is largely reliant on oil exports, agriculture, and tourism, with its rich cultural heritage and breathtaking landscapes attracting visitors from around the world.