Christmas in Cuenca, Ecuador

What is the name of the city or town that you are reporting on?

Cuenca

How long have you lived there?

We have lived in Ecuador for 3 years

How will be you spending the holiday season this year? Describe the current COVID-19 situation in your area and how you will be celebrating this year.

We are doing a Go Fund Me to help supply staples to the poor in the remote mountain areas around us.

Go Fund Me Page: Feed the Campo 2020

The year 2020 has been unlike any other. We have seen unprecedented civic, moral, social, and personal challenges the likes of which few of us have ever experienced.

For those of us living in Ecuador, we can see firsthand the suffering that these challenges have wrought. Whether it is in the work-hardened hand reaching out in a humiliating plea for help, or the tear-stained face of a hungry street child, we see the terrible consequences produced by a year's worth of disasters.

Hidden Suffering

Despite the obvious suffering of those in the streets, one group of Ecuadorians have largely suffered in silence — the families of the countryside. As an avid hiker I have spent a fair amount of time in the campo and personally witnessed what small, one-time gifts of food can bring to these isolated communities. I will never forget the pure joy on the face of a little boy when he received his very first orange.

The Plan

This holiday season a small group of like-minded gringitos and Cuencanos (including Esteban & Giselle Arévalo) have decided to make a concrete expression of our gratitude for having survived the whims of 2020. In a small way, we want to help to people of the campo understand that they are not alone, and that a larger community stands beside them as they face their own trials.

If locals celebrate Christmas or Hanukkah where you are living now, how is it celebrated differently?

This year there will be none of the fireworks or spectacular parades. Christmas lights are on an limited numbers are allowed in churches.

Beside family and friends, what do you miss from home during the holidays?

Foods that are not available here.

How is New Year's typically celebrated in your expat location?

Gathered friends to enjoy the magnificent fireworks over the entire city.