Our Projects

Scholarships

Cultural Exchanges

Lifeguards (Salvavidas)

 
 
Long Beach Manta Sister Cities Programs
 
Project Ecuador 2010 to present Humanitarian
Project Ecuador started in 2006 and Long Beach - Manta Sister Cities became its lead sponsor in 2010. Project Ecuador is an international lifesaving venture for the Long Beach Lifeguard Association. The purpose is to train citizens in Ecuador to become lifeguards, then to help guide groups to become self-sustained Professional Ocean Lifeguard Services and ultimately join the International Life Saving Federation. Before Project Ecuador, there were no lifeguards or voluntary lifeguards without training or equipment.

On the job training is conducted each year during "Carnival", the 4-day national holiday celebrating the coming of Lent. Over 85 American volunteers have traveled to Ecuador at their own cost to train and assist the Ecuadorians on 20 supported beaches. Lives are being saved. Since 2006, over 1,000 rescues have been documented. Over 200 Ecuadorians have received training consistent with international standards. Rescue equipment including rescue buoys, fins, radios and uniforms have been distributed to the four coastal Provinces. Many Lifeguards are now being paid a living wage as professional lifeguards due to the diligence and persistence of American Lifeguard volunteers.

In 2011, the government created a Lifeguard division, Rescate Acuatico within the same structure as the Fire Department to continue Project Ecuador's work. Project Ecuador continues to work closely with the International Life Saving Federation to help Latin American nations and utilizing Sister Cities International to support lifeguarding worldwide.

 In 2008, Project Ecuador received the National Lifesaving Award from the United States Lifesaving Association.

In 2011, Manta Sister Cities / Paul Dunning received a Proclamation of Thanks from Ecuador’s Consul General.


Disabled Persons Project 2009 Health Care
In 2009, over 100 wheelchairs and walkers were donated to the city of Manta. These were distributed to disabled citizens through Manta’s center for disabilities
 
Library Project 2004 - 2005 Education
During 2004 and 2005 we collected over 500 reading and text books, in Spanish and in English, to help build up the local library at the "Patronato Municipal de Amparo Social" (a social services organization under the Manta Municipality). Books were also sent to our "adopted" school in Varaspamba.
 
Scholarship Program 2003 - 2005 Education
To continue with our goal of providing educational assistance to the youth, we implemented a Scholarship Program. The first scholarship was awarded to a student in Ecuador to continue his education in music. The second scholarship was awarded to a student in Southern California who is pursuing a career in the arts. To be a scholarship recipient, the candidate has to be of Ecuadorian descent, a high school senior or college student with a desire to give back to the community.
 
Pen Pal Project 2003 Cultural
In 2003, students from the Orange County High School of the Arts (in Santa Ana, California) Spanish classes corresponded with students in Manta. We are looking for schools in the city of Long Beach who might be interested in participating in this exchange
 
Computer Learning Center Project 2010 Humanitarian
We started this project in 2002 by soliciting donations of used computers and shipping them to Manta to set up computer-learning centers in public schools. Between 2002 and 2008, over 55 computers have been donated.

In August 2002, two computer-learning centers were established. In May of 2003, six more centers were opened. In the early part of 2004, 15 computers and 12 printers were sent to Manta to open six more computer learning centers. Before the end of 2005, 30 additional computers, printers and other computer accessories were sent to other schools. Computers were also sent to the Children’s Hospital at Universidad Laica “Eloy Alfaro” de Manabi, the Manta-Long Beach Sister Cities Committee and Manta’s Mayor’s office of administration.

Organizations and individuals donated all computers. Computer technicians checked the computers before being shipped to Ecuador. This project ended in 2008.

The local university in Manta provides technical support and teachers. Free computer classes are offered to students and also adult classes are provided when possible. We have adopted a school in Varaspamba (in the highland region of Ecuador) serving 50 students and we donated 6 computers, printers and other educational materials.


Contact us:  info@mantasistercity.org Phone: 323-841-5856