Dear Visitors:
If you are reading this message, I hope it is because you care about UBECI and its work, and wish to learn more about its current state. I think you have the right to know—especially now, when we need your help more than ever.
To be frank: UBECI is in a rather desperate state. Because it is a non-profit organization that is not religiously or politically affiliated, UBECI receives no funding from the Ecuadorian government or any special interest groups. The main sources of funding come from grants and volunteers, both of which have become increasingly difficult to come by with the current economic crisis. Often, Byron and his family have had to draw upon their own savings and capital to ensure that UBECI projects can continue. The money goes toward the staff salaries, rents, utilities, and other operational expenses. UBECI operates on around 1800 dollars every month, although this is situational. For a non-profit, that number should not be daunting, but it is no easy amount to come by.
As of now, the operational fund for the month of September is difficult to obtain, and that is why we are turning to you, volunteers of past and present, for help. Here is what you can do:
1. Promote UBECI, let people know about the volunteer opportunity it has to offer. My personal experience has been incredible, and I highly recommend this organization for people to gain travel and humanitarian work experience. You were there too, once, and I can only hope that your experience was as memorable as mine. Please pass the message on to your colleagues, to your friends, your classmates, and your family; share your experience. If you or anyone you know may be interested, please leave a comment on this page, the UBECI facebook page, or simply send us an email at ubeci.volunteer@gmail.com. UBECI pays for its rent with the volunteer fees, and a continuous flow of volunteers is extremely important.
A document that you can possibly use is here.
2. Donate via Paypal.
This paypal account is directly connected to UBECI’s bank account. Donations to UBECI receive tax-exemption status. Please remember to email donations.ubeci@gmail.com to notify us if you wish to receive confirmation.
3. Donate by check. Send this directly to the UBECI office. Please make all checks payable to Byron Salvatierra, who legally handles all UBECI funding. If you are doing this, please also email at donations.ubeci@gmail.com so Byron will know when to anticipate your mail. The address of the UBECI office is:
UBECI Volunteer Organization
Huacho E2-56 y Jose Peralta PB1 – P.o.box 17-02-5259
Quito, Pichincha – Ecuador
4. Fundraiser. Start a mini fundraiser, spread the message and try to appeal to people around you that may be interested in donating to this very worthy cause. Remember, you are a social network and how you use it can greatly benefit the children in UBECI’s projects. If you need any materials for an event, please do not hesitate to contact us at ubeci.volunteer@gmail.com.
We understand that this is only a short-term solution, and I am currently working with Byron to make UBECI self-sustainable. We hope that while UBECI can benefit from donations, it will become capable of generating its own income that is necessary to the continued survival and success of its projects. (I realize that I am speaking of it like a semi-sentient robot/animal/creature, and that it is potentially creepy. Sorry!)
But this is a very important short-term step and it is near impossible to do without you. The funding for September is absolutely necessary! Anything you can do, big or small, would mean the world to us.
And if you want to become part of the long-term solution for UBECI and help it become self-sustaining, please contact us at ubeci.volunteer@gmail.com (or a comment here!). We would love to work with you, and are currently in great need of extra hands.
UBECI’s financial statement for the month of July is downloadable here, for those of you who wish to learn more. Both Byron and I will be available to respond to your questions, comments, and suggestions.
Once again, thank you so much for taking the time to read through this.
Jazzy
