Transforming Lives on Giving Tuesday: Support OSSO's Mission to Empower Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Ecuador

As the holiday season approaches, the spirit of giving becomes more profound, and there's no better way to embrace it than by participating in Giving Tuesday! We hope you’ll join this worldwide movement to give to causes that you love.

When it comes to orphan care, one organization stands out above the rest - Orphanage Support Services Organization (but you can call us OSSO for short)! This Giving Tuesday, let's explore how OSSO is making a difference to children in Ecuador and why your support matters.

Since 1999, OSSO has been dedicated to providing love, care, and support to orphaned and at-risk children in Ecuador. We currently support 300+ children in eight different orphanages across Ecuador.

OSSO’s mission is to create a brighter future for these children by offering them a safe and nurturing environment. We provide holistic care for orphaned children by meeting both their physical and emotional needs.

Why Donations Matter:

OSSO relies heavily on donations in order to continue providing the children in our care with food, education, medical care, full-time caregivers, mental heath counseling, legal assistance, and more. Your orphanage donation will go directly towards providing these essential resources that enhance the children’s quality of life.

One of OSSO’s most important initiatives is Hogar de Angeles or “Home of the Angels” - an orphanage for 16 children and young adults with disabilities. Most of the residents are wheelchair users and nonverbal and rely completely on OSSO for their survival. Here, the residents receive the proper medical care they require that other orphanages could not provide them with. Hogar de Angeles is completely funded by OSSO and extremely expensive to run.

From providing physical therapy for a child with disabilities to paying for school uniforms and textbooks for another, every donation makes a difference in shaping a better future for these children.

Volunteer Abroad with OSSO:

One unique aspect of OSSO's approach is our volunteer abroad program. Although all of the orphanages we support in Ecuador have employed caregivers, there are a lot of children and typically not enough staff members to meet each child’s emotional needs.

This is where volunteers come in! When you volunteer abroad with OSSO, your role is to fill in that gap and help ensure that each child receives the individual love and support they need to truly thrive!

Volunteers play a crucial role in creating a positive, fun, and loving environment for the children - creating healthier and happier childhoods.

Why Should You Donate to OSSO this Giving Tuesday?

There are many incredible organizations and causes to choose from, but we hope you’ll consider giving to OSSO during Giving Tuesday this year! In case you’re still on the fence, here are a few more reasons why your dollar will have a direct impact when you give to OSSO:

1. Transparency and Accountability: Here at OSSO, we are committed to financial transparency in all of our operations, ensuring that your donations are used efficiently and effectively to directly benefit the children. We’ve recieved nonprofit transparency awards multiple years in a row - including this year - from both Candid and GreatNonprofits.

2. Holistic Approach: OSSO goes beyond basic orphan care, offering a holistic approach that meets both children’s physical needs (food, shelter, medical care, education) and their emotional needs (mental health counseling, legal assistance by social workers, volunteer support).

3. Ethical Orphanages and Children’s Homes: Since 1999, OSSO has thoughtfully and carefully screened each orphanage that we partner with to ensure that they are providing the children with the highest standard of care available. Many of the orphanages we currently support have been our partners for 24 years and we’ve built strong relationships with them. When you donate to OSSO this Giving Tuesday, you can trust that your donation will go towards trustworthy and reliable orphanages.

This Giving Tuesday, we hope you will consider making a difference in the lives of orphaned and vulnerable children by supporting Orphanage Support Services Organization. Whether you choose to volunteer abroad or make a monetary gift, your involvement will help provide some of the world’s most vulnerable children with hope for a brighter future.

Join OSSO in spreading joy, hope, and love this holiday season. Together, we can make a lasting impact on the lives of those who need it most.

A New Home in Ecuador

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to volunteer in an orphanage? Ashley, one of our most recent volunteers, tells about her experience volunteering with OSSO in Ecuador! Check out her story below.

Please note - children’s faces are not shown to protect their privacy according to Ecuadorian law.

“A little over a year ago I had seen a billboard in Rexburg, Idaho that said, ‘OSSO’. I had remembered hearing stories that my aunt told me about her experiences during her college years when she went down to Ecuador for a few months and helped children in orphanages. I never thought that it could be me doing those same things for children in a third-world country. 

During Christmas break I was determined to complete the application process for OSSO and had shared a quick video with friends about what I wanted to do in the spring. One of my roommates immediately texted me back and said, “Where do I sign up?” I was thrilled to hear that she wasn’t even questioning the idea of it and she was willing to go.  About two weeks after that text was sent, both my friend and I had sent in our applications and we were accepted!! It was easily the best decision I have ever made!

Arriving in Ecuador on April 26th was a lot to take in. My friend and I had been traveling for about 48 hours and were so exhausted when we arrived. During my first day on shift I remember very distinctly that the kids LOVED me. They didn’t know who I was, but they were glad I was there with them, experiencing what they do every single day. At first I was overwhelmed when 12 little kids came running and they all wanted to squeeze my leg, but then I was calm when I realized all they wanted was a new friend. The best decision I ever made was leaving my home and joining a new one here in Cuenca, Ecuador. 

I’m going to miss the gentle but joyful hugs from the kids, and the way they pronounce my name with their cute Ecuadorian accents. I’ll never forget the big brown eyes that stare up into mine as they ask for “twinkle twinkle” a million times each night. They have made my life so much better in every single way. Moments like these are some that I’ll remember forever.”

Thank you, Ashley, for your wonderful service and for sharing your story with us!

Are you ready to volunteer with us in Ecuador too? Apply now to become an OSSO volunteer!