CAF and Iván Hurtado Foundation sign agreement on integrated development for poor children in Esmeraldas

(Quito, November 2, 2001). - The Andean Development Corporation (CAF) and the Iván Hurtado Foundation agreed to promote the integrated development of a large segment of children in extreme poverty in Esmeraldas province, Ecuador, through a human development project designed to strengthen, systematize and optimize actions in the areas of health, education, social and sport.

The CAF representative in Ecuador, Freddy Rojas Parra, and the alternate captain of the Ecuadorian football team, Iván Hurtado, will sign the agreement.

With support from the CAF and executed by the Iván Hurtado Foundation, “Párame Bola” (Pay attention), as the human development project is known, will strengthen the Foundation’s social action that has benefited 167 children and their families for the last year in the slum areas of the province, which has produced some of Ecuador’s greatest footballers.

The CAF support for the “Párame Bola” Sustainable Human Development Project includes a non-reimbursable loan for $70,800 and training for the Iván Hurtado Foundation, which will use the funds for its annual program of education, practice of values, leadership, nutrition, health and football. The Foundation is looking for new donors to guarantee the sustainability of the project.

The CAF president, Enrique García, said sustainable development, which is the organizations’ major objective, requires the harmonious growth of people and their environment. This experience is an excellent example for the application of the multilateral lender’s development policies. "I congratulate the Ecuadorian team and Iván. They have found an opportunity to add values to the country through football."

Iván Hurtado said he was grateful for the help provided by the multilateral lender. "The presence of this prestigious institution backs the efforts made by the Foundation to optimize its activity in favor of the poorest children in Esmeraldas. I am very happy that the CAF has agreed to provide our children with this special opportunity which is sure to have an impact on their self-esteem and their future."

In a move that goes beyond the purely welfare approach, the “Párame Bola” project plans to focus on the development of emotional intelligence for additional action to improve the health, educational, nutritional and recreational conditions of the beneficiary children and families.

In what experts consider a pioneering effort, five teachers from the locality will be trained and equipped to work on developing emotional intelligence, which is highly recommended for vulnerable social groups.