Caluqui Child Care Center of Imbabura in Memory of Violet Vaca
The Ecumenical Foundation for Integral Development, Training and Education (FEDICE) coordinates educational, health, agriculture, and community development projects for the indigenous population in rural communities of Ecuador, a country where between 70 and 80 percent of the population lives in poverty. With the help of Global Ministries and other partners, FEDICE carries out construction projects, medical clinics, pastoral work, and other programs in the provinces of Imbabura and Cotopaxi. In 2008, FEDICE added the Caluquí Child Care Center in the province of Imbabura, dedicated to the memory of former missionary, Violet Groth Vaca. Violet began her long career as a missionary in 1950 when she was assigned to Ecuador by the Evangelical Covenant Church of America as a missionary. During her service in Ecuador, Violet married Victor Vaca in September 1965; and, in 1970, Violet and Victor were assigned to Friendship Mission, Asunción, Paraguay, through the Disciples Division of Overseas Ministries, where she also worked as a teacher at Colegio Internacional. From 1977 to 1982, Violet was assigned to the International Office of the YMCA in Geneva, Switzerland, returning to Ecuador where she and Victor served with the Ecuadorian Pastoral Ministry (PRE); the Evangelical United Church of Ecuador; and the Ecumenical Foundation for Integral Development, Training and Education (FEDICE) based in Quito. After 22 years of missionary work, Violet retired from full-time employment in 1992, but continued to serve in a volunteer capacity until 2005. Violet died on February 27, 2008, in Quito, Ecuador. FEDICE decided to reinforce and launch the Caluqui Child Care Center in Violet’s memory. The mothers of most of the children at Caluquí work primarily in large agricultural enterprises as field hands. As is the custom in Ecuador, the center was built with contributions from the community and by means of volunteer communal labor. They purchased concrete blocks and built the shell of a house that served as the beginning place of the center. In the months that followed, the facilities were completed with floors, plaster on the walls, a kitchen, and a roof. While the building is complete, the Caluquí Child Care Center appreciates continued support to outfit and maintain the building as well as care for the needs of the children and families served.
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