Genesis Exchange Program

The Genesis of Ecuador Program (GEP) is a private non-profit organization, unassociated with any political or religious activities, committed to advancing education in Manabí, Ecuador. Vladir Villagran and Sandra Cox founded GEP, based out of Bahía de Caráquez on May 5, 1997.

In our community, many public schools are grossly underfunded, lacking adequate facilities, books and teachers for students. In some cases, children walk for hours to get to school, and all grades learn together from one untrained teacher in a single room.

The students who benefit most from the GEP come from low-income families with parents who might sell candy or shine shoes for a living. Without help, these children go to overcrowded public schools or simply forsake their education to help their parents earn money.

At the GEP, we believe that education is the key to improving the infrastructure, economy and sustainability of the Manabí region in the long term, and through our efforts we build a brighter future for our community and its children.