Consulate in the Community
Food Donation for the “Mujeres de Lucha” Association
December 8, 2008
As part of their Thanksgiving celebrations, the staff of the U.S. Consulate General donated more than 1,600 pounds of foods to the “Mujeres de Lucha” Association. Consul General Douglas Griffiths officially delivered the donation and used the opportunity to highlight the work that these Afro-Ecuadorian women have been doing in their community. “This is the fifth or sixth time that I have visited these cooperative this year. I keep coming back because of the admiration I have for what these brave women are doing to improve the lives of those who live in their community. It is inspiring to visit the community kitchen, the store and the daycare center that they are operating here, and to see how they are helping the children who live in this area. I am proud to count them amongst our most important friends and partners in Guayaquil.”
For several weeks, the Ecuadorian and American employees of the diplomatic mission engaged in a friendly competition between the different sections of the Consulate to see who could collect the most non-perishable food items for the association. The women of Mujeres de Lucha plan to distribute the donation during the Christmas season.
Encounter with the Ecuadorian Art
March 27, 2008
During a recent visit to a local art gallery, employees of the U.S. Consulate and their family members met Gabriel Buenaño, an Ecuadorian artist who works in plastic. Mr. Buenaño gave a brief talk on the history of Ecuadorian art and showed the invitees some of his work, in addition to pieces by other notable Ecuadorian artists.