Welcome to REDI

ABOUT REDI

Thank you for visiting the home of REDI.  REDI  was born from a simple idea in 2004. The idea was to collaborate with local rural communities in support of education. Since that time we have grown from a humble beginning of a box full of used books to collaborating with local communities to provide teacher salaries and infrastructural support to underprivileged schools in rural coastal Ecuador. We have also grown to provide aid to individuals and families in need. Our primary goal is to help to improve the lives of the people and communities we serve. As our work has grown so has our need for funding. Today REDI is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization dedicated to empowering people and making a difference in rural Ecuador.

We are a small organization consisting of members who are committed to the promotion of empowerment through opportunity and who have a strong interest in facilitating local-level change in rural Ecuador while maintaining the integrity of local culture. Our main focus is on improving educational opportunities and supporting small-scale economic development projects that are commensurate with local cultural practices. In addition to these projects, we are also concerned with supporting rural livelihoods and with helping the individuals most in need in the communities that we serve.

Our past projects include construction projects to expand rural schools, bathroom renovation and water installation for a community school, providing computers and other learning materials for student use, promoting rural tourism development, providing emergency relief following the devastating earthquake of 2016, providing holiday food baskets to families and individuals in need, and supporting elderly individuals in need through the gift of monthly food baskets. In short, our aim is to help however we can. 

Our work is centered in southern Manabi province, Ecuador. The region consists of numerous small villages that rely predominantly on fishing and horticultural activities. Average incomes for the region are around US$10 per day and many people survive on significantly less. Through partnerships with local organizations and collaborations with community members, we are able to provide support for individuals and families in need while also empowering communities through educational and development initiatives.

REDI is responding to COVID-19 in rural coastal Ecuador. The communities of southern Manabí rely almost exclusively on fishing and tourism for income. Both industries have come to a standstill as a consequence of the global pandemic. While the spread of COVID-19 to rural coastal communities is a reality, the most pressing need at the time is economic, and in particular putting food on the table. REDI is responding by providing food to the most vulnerable local residents. We are also working with locals to produce masks for distribution. This is a small but necessary project that injects money into the household economy while providing free masks to individuals who lack the resources or capabilities to obtain masks. Our work will continue into the upcoming weeks and months as we strive to provide much needed support to those in need. Please consider aiding us in our mission. Donations are tax-deductible and can be made via our “Contributions” page. Additional information can be found on our “Blog” page. Thank you for your support of REDI.