Understanding the history and culture is essential to know why Fundación Rescate exists. In the 1980s and 1990s, many Ecuadorians emigrated to the U.S., seeking better opportunities for their families. However, this often meant leaving their children behind with one parent or relatives, such as grandparents, aunts, or uncles. As a result, a generation of children grew up without one or both parents, creating a deep emotional void. Although parents sent money back to Ecuador, the children and adolescents used it to buy fashion, drugs, alcohol, or pay for prostitution attempting to mask the pain of their parents’ absence. These behaviors often led to addictions and unhealthy coping mechanisms. At the same time, these children were not exposed to healthy, functional family dynamics. They grew up without seeing the interaction between a husband and wife or experiencing a stable home life.

Now adults, many from this generation are forming their own families without any understanding of what a functional family looks like. This has led to cycles of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse becoming common. The situation is further complicated by a resurgence of emigration in 2020–2021, with some leaving while others remain trapped in habits of addiction, alcohol, drugs, and prostitution. While Sucúa may appear wealthy due to remittances and the return of some emigrants, the region suffers from spiritual poverty and widespread brokenness within families. Fundación Rescate seeks to address these deep-rooted issues by offering hope and healing to a hurting community.