Naomi’s Village
Naomi’s Village is our solution to help pregnant girls, ages 10-17, by providing safe housing and care in the Jipijapa canton of Ecuador.
Naomi’s Village will provide integrated care including temporary shelter for pregnant girls younger than 18, who have been sexually abused by a close member of their family setting.
Current Status
We have researched and collected information about these kinds of projects in Ecuador. There is a lack of these services for abused children and adolescents, particularly for those who need to be taken out of their own family setting because the abuser is a close family member.
Adolescents who become pregnant as a result of abuse are often in extremely difficult situations, and therefore it is even more complicated to find a home for them.
Objective
By the end of 2025, our goal is to have 3-4 homes to provide shelter and integrated assistance to 21-28 girls pregnant as a consequence of sexual abuse in the province of Manabí.
Statistics that motivate our work
3,000 Girls
Some 3,000 girls under the age of 14 become pregnant annually. According to Ecuadorian legal regulations, all these cases are considered a crime of rape. Only a third of these cases were reported to or received any response from authorities. (Camacho & Mendoza, 2014).
41%
41% of the children and adolescents who are in existing shelters are 12 to 17 years old, and 5% are 7 to 11 years old.
65%
According to UNICEF, 65% of the cases of sexual abuse in Ecuador are committed by family members or people close to the family. In 40% of these abuse cases, the abuse occurs several times.
7 Every Day
According to Plan Internacional, seven Ecuadorian girls under the age of 14 give birth every day due to sexual abuse by a known adult.
10%
In 2016, 10% of adolescent births between 15 to 17 years old in Ecuador were in the province of Manabí.
10 Homes
In Ecuador, there are 10 homes directly run by the Ministry of Economic & Social Inclusion and 26 private shelters, that provide care for 2,528 children and adolescents, according to data from March 2018.
3rd Highest
Among South American countries, Ecuador has the third highest rate of adolescent pregnancy. It is the second highest in the Andean sub-region. From 2002 to 2010, pregnancy in 14 year old girls increased by 78%.
80 of 1000
80 out of every 1000 live births in Ecuador are the product of pregnant teenagers between 15 and 18 years old, and 80% of the pregnancies are from sexual abuse.
In Manabí, there are only three homes for abused children, and there are 263 children and adolescents in these shelter homes.
These official statistics are lower than the actual numbers since sexual abuse is usually kept secret within the family.
Sexual abuse has immeasurable impacts on the psychological, emotional, and physical health of children and adolescents, as well as their education, and other areas of their lives.
Nicki and Ron Coil have chosen to donate a portion of the farm they own in La Prosperina, Jipijapa, to build these homes. A 37.5kW transformer has been installed in preparation for construction.
Costs
Infrastructure and Equipment Costs
In Process of Development
Annual Operation Costs
In Process of Development
Ongoing Sustainability
In Process of Development
Facilities
In the first 3 years, we plan to build three home units to serve about 8 – 12 pregnant or adolescent mothers in each unit. We plan to double that number by the fifth year.
Each unit home will consist of two bedrooms, one bathroom/shower, a small kitchen, and a multi-purpose dining area.
In addition, there will be a similar home unit to be occupied by the resident caregiver’s family. It will also contain a general common kitchen and dining area, a food storage area, and a laundry area.
We will also builld spaces for administration, a psychologist, a social worker, and a lawyer, as well as a play area.
Services Provided by Naomi’s Village
Daily Needs
We will provide for basic needs including food, clothing, housing, and hygiene.
Training Workshops
A variety of choices will be available including: sewing, beauty, vegetable gardening, first aid, handicrafts, and baking.
Education
We will reintroduce school age children into the private or public school system whenever possible. Otherwise, we will use tutors and online resources to teach basic skills appropriate to the needs and education level of each girl.
Care of Adolescent Girls
Medical Care: Supported by the Ministry of Public Health
Recreation Activities: Including a listening room "Cambio de Onda".
Nutrition: Under an agreement with local universities and the Ministry of Public Health.
Legal Assistance: In cooperation with universities, bar associations, other non-government organizations (NGOs).
Psychological Care
Social Worker
Autonomy Process
Emotional and spiritual support.
Life Plan for each girl. The expected duration of stay in the home would be one to two years maximum, and then the goal will be:
Restore the girl to the family setting, if possible, or with an extended family member.
Counsel the girl to help plan the next steps in her life.
Adoption program
Admission Criteria
Number of Admissions: Build gradually to capacity during the first three years.
Ages 10 to 17 years and 11 months
Judicial Order
Children’s Council Order
Admission is not applicable to:
Children and adolescents who have reached their legal age (18 years).
Children and adolescents in need of specialized care in the field of physical and/or mental health.
Offenders Children and adolescents.
Children and adolescents when the cause is a poverty of parents or persons in charge of care and protection.