Ten years of hope: The story of Hogar de Esperanza

By Garry Vatcher

Ten years ago, Hogar de Esperanza began with very little. There was no large organization, no strong financial base, no guarantee of success. When we opened our doors on May 1, 2016, I had paid the rent for the month and had $100 left in my bank account. There was only a simple but powerful belief: that people in crisis deserved real help, real dignity, and real hope.

Hogar de Esperanza’s Health and Wellness program

What started as one person visiting hospitals, cooking meals, cleaning rooms, and helping patients who had nowhere else to go slowly began to grow. In those early days, the work was not glamorous. It was personal. It was practical. It was the kind of work that often goes unseen – sitting with the sick, helping the forgotten, and offering comfort to those who felt alone.

In the first year, Hogar de Esperanza helped only a small number of people. But even then, something important was taking shape. The foundation was built on something stronger than money or publicity. It was built on conviction. It was built on the belief that every person matters, and that compassion must be more than words.

Over time, others began to see that vision.

Volunteers came. Donors stepped forward. Supporters believed that this small foundation was doing something meaningful, something honest, and something needed. Little by little, Hogar de Esperanza grew – not by pretending, not by chasing appearances, but by responding to real needs with real solutions.

That commitment became the heart of the foundation: Real Help for Real People with Real Needs.

The Breakfast Program at the Hogar

Over the past ten years, that mission has touched thousands of lives. What began as a small effort became one of the more stable foundations in Cuenca. Programs expanded. Partnerships grew. More people found food, shelter, health support, companionship, and dignity. Children were cared for. Patients received help. Families found support. People who had been forgotten found a place where they were welcomed. In 2025, the foundation’s expenditures were over $277,000.

And perhaps that is what makes Hogar de Esperanza so special.

It has never been only about services. It has always been about creating a place where people feel seen, valued, and safe. A place where someone in need can walk through the door and feel that they have found a second home.

Reaching ten years is no small thing. In Ecuador, where many charities last only two or three years, ten years represents something remarkable. It speaks of perseverance, of trust, of careful management, and of a community of people who chose not only to believe in the mission, but to sustain it.

This anniversary is not just a celebration of time passed. It is a celebration of every person who made the journey possible.

It is the story of the donors who gave generously.
The volunteers who gave their time.
The staff who showed up day after day with dedication and heart.
The partners who opened doors.
And the people we serve, who trusted us in their moments of greatest need.

Together, they wrote this story. Now, ten years later, Hogar de Esperanza stands stronger than ever—but the story is not over.

The world is changing. Needs are changing. The foundation itself is growing and adapting. New systems are being built. New opportunities are opening. New projects, like the work in the Amazon, are shaping the future. But the heart of the foundation remains the same as it was in the beginning: to offer hope, dignity, and real support to those who need it most.

Ten years ago, this was only a vision. Today, it is a living reality. And tomorrow, with the continued support of those who believe in this mission, it will become even more.

This is not just the story of an anniversary.
It is the story of compassion made real.
It is the story of people coming together to prove that kindness, when lived out faithfully, can grow into something extraordinary.

Foundation Hogar de Esperanza is committed to setting a high standard of transparency and integrity. Each year, we hold a public meeting where you, as a donor, receive a financial report and learn how your donations are being used. It is also an opportunity to ask questions and receive answers about our programs and services.

This year, our annual meeting will be held on Saturday, May 16th at 2:00 PM at the foundation’s location in Hostal Pichincha: Juan Montalvo 9-78 y Gran Colombia

To register, please sign up here.
_________________

Garry Vatcher is president and founder of Foundation Hogar de Esperanza. He has been coming to Ecuador since 1987 and permanently moved to Cuenca 12 years ago. The foundation provides emergency assistance to thousands of people each year. With his guidance, the foundation has forged alliances with some of Ecuador’s major institutions including hospitals, the National Police, Amazon communities, universities, and governments. The foundation has received numerous awards and recognition for its work from local and international bodies. For information about all Foundation Hogar de Esperanza projects, go to https://hogaresperanza.org