Building Livelihoods in Ecuador

In communities across Ecuador, families are finding ways to strengthen their livelihoods by locally driven means. From farm harvests, artisan workshops, and tourism businesses, these stories show how people are building stability within their households and communities.

CHOICE Humanitarian works alongside them to provide training and resources that support these efforts over time. These stories show how families are maintaining steady livelihoods and access to food, even during challenging seasons.

Harvesting Stability

In the community of Cazarpamba, near Apuela, Matilde Gómez manages a small dairy farm. During the dry season, she struggled to provide enough feed for her cattle, which reduced milk production—her family’s primary source of income.

When CHOICE Humanitarian and the Ministry of Agriculture began working in the community, Matilde learned forage conservation, a method that allows feed to be stored for use during seasonal shortages. Through this training, she was able to supplement her cattle’s nutrition and maintain production during difficult periods.

Now, Matilde uses silage as a reliable and accessible source of feed, helping stabilize her farm year-round.

Like Matilde, Elsa is strengthening her household’s food security while generating income. As a mother working in agriculture, she grows food for her family and sells surplus produce locally. With support from CHOICE, she built a protected garden using mesh to keep out animals and now cultivates a variety of crops.

Through training, Elsa improved her ability to grow consistent, healthy food and generate income through local markets. She hopes to continue expanding her vegetable production and small business efforts to support her family and community.

Elsa commented, “I am a woman of the land, and I am happy to cultivate Mother Earth, who helps feed our families every day.”

Crafting Income Through Heritage

While some communities are strengthening food systems, others are building income through cultural craftsmanship.

Ceravic is an artisan center focused on ceramics and sculptures that reflect Afro-Ecuadorian heritage. CHOICE supports the group with training in sales, business development, and marketing, helping them strengthen their ability to reach broader markets.

The group is dedicated to improving their craft and adapting their work to meet market demands while maintaining the cultural significance of their designs. Their work supports both income generation and the continuation of their community’s heritage.

Each piece they create reflects their identity, builds pride, and connects their traditions to new opportunities.

Weaving New Opportunities

As Ceravic strengthens income through art, other women in Ecuador are organizing to build new economic opportunities.

In Salinas, near Ibarra, tourism was once a primary source of income, driven by a popular train attraction. When it closed, many small businesses lost their main source of revenue. Through CHOICE’s “Weaving Opportunities” project, 15 women affected by this shift received training in sewing, tailoring, and business development.

As part of this process, they have formed a savings group—pooling resources, building financial stability, and supporting one another as they grow their businesses.

With new skills and shared resources, they are beginning to generate income and develop plans for their businesses. Their goals include opening a costume shop and creating a brand featuring turbans, necklaces, and Afro-inspired fashion.

“Now, we are women of Salinas fulfilling dreams,” said a group member.

Nutrition That Creates New Possibilities

While some women are building businesses through crafts, others are combining agriculture and income generation.

Fanny Terán, an agricultural producer participating in CHOICE’s food security project, raises poultry alongside other community members involved in the initiative. Through this work, she has improved her household’s nutrition while earning income from egg sales. 

Together, the group is learning and applying agricultural and business skills to strengthen their production and income. Their goal is to grow beyond small-scale output into a more stable and sustainable source of earnings.

Through continued collaboration, they are working to increase egg production and expand into additional products, creating stronger local markets and improving their quality of life.

Tourism That Strengthens Community

As families like Fanny’s build income through agriculture, other communities are strengthening opportunities through tourism rooted in culture.

Pachamama is a group of 25 women engaged in agriculture, embroidery, and jewelry-making in San Pablo. They identified community-based tourism as a way to build income and are strengthening their enterprise through targeted training.

With support from CHOICE, they have improved their skills and implemented safety measures essential for welcoming visitors, including signage, first-aid preparedness, and basic infrastructure improvements.

In San Miguel Bajo, families are developing a community-led glamping project along Lake San Pablo. With support from CHOICE expeditions and contributions from local government partners, the project continues to take shape with essential infrastructure.

Community members are building shared spaces such as a restaurant, restrooms, gathering areas, and platforms for cultural activities. Through tourism, they are creating opportunities to share their traditions, food, music, and daily life with visitors in ways that reflect their community.

Resilience in Every Hand

Across Ecuador, these stories reflect how communities are strengthening livelihoods, maintaining cultural identity, and expanding opportunity in ways that fit their priorities.

From agriculture and food security to artisan work and tourism, individuals and groups are building on their existing strengths to create more stable and sustainable futures. CHOICE Humanitarian works alongside them, providing training and support that helps communities continue this progress over time.