Guangaje, Ecuador, a parish in the Cotopaxi Province of Ecuador, high in the Andes Mountains, is home to approximately 7,000 indigenous Quichua people of Inca descent.  It is comprised of 34 small communities located at altitudes ranging from 11-13,500 feet. 

Due to centuries of racism and isolation, and its own altiplano ecology (limited rain, cold, wind), this area is one of the poorest in Ecuador, with almost all the population living in extreme poverty.  Life expectancy is in the 50’s, 20 years below the Ecuadorian average. 

The primary source of income is hand-tilled, subsistence farming on very steep terrains.  Based on government surveys chronic malnutrition is endemic at rates of 70-80%, and many of the communities lack clean, reliable sources of water.  Health care access and educational opportunities are limited. 

A regional high school opened in 2012, with about 20 graduates per year.  Many families and young people desire to advance their education and improve their opportunities in life, but they have limited resources to do so.  We have found the people to be warm, hardworking, dedicated to family, and with strong, collaborative communities.

A note on the Founders

David and Julia Wood founded Para El Futuro De Guangaje Ecuador AKA For The Future of Guangaje Ecuador in 2019 when they learned that several youth each year were now graduating from high school, sought a higher education, but were unable to attend university or trade school for lack of funds.  After helping 2 students on their own, the Woods decided to form this non-profit organization in order to bring others into the outreach of helping the Guangaje youth gain higher education.

David Wood, President

A bilingual pediatrician, Dr. Wood first developed a love for the people of Ecuador in the 1970’s while volunteering in medical ministry with World Radio Missionary Fellowship (HCJB).  He served in HCJB hospitals in Quito, Shell Mera, and, with Dr. Guderian on brigades to jungle tribes.  He later met the people of Guangaje while bringing University of Florida students there to do health care brigades.  Through the years he has met and developed working relationships with medical colleagues in Ecuador dedicated to helping the people of Guangaje live healthier lives.  He now works with students at East Tennessee State University and Timmy Global Health to bring health care services to this region, all in collaboration with the Ecuadorian health care system.  Other fellow workers are ‘Engineers in Action,’ who builds water systems.

Fernando Ortega, Vice President

An Ecuadorian, Dr. Ortega is a medical doctor, anthropologist and PhD in Public Health.  He is dedicated to community health activities that support the development of the indigenous people in the Highlands and the Amazon Jungle of Ecuador.  Dr. Ortega is a professor and researcher at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito, where he teaches in the medical school, public health school and dental school.

Julia Wood, Secretary

A bilingual public health nurse, Ms. Wood gained experience with foreign health ministry in the 1980’s in Mexico, with the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and in Los Angeles as a PHN for the County Health Department among Central American refugees.  She has worked most of her career with homeless families in the US, and now focuses on teaching Nurturing Parenting skills to disadvantaged women. She also serves on the medical brigades to Guangaje. Julia thoroughly enjoys spending time in the woods and with her family, including 8 grandchildren.

Suzette Pullaro, Treasurer

A native Floridian, Ms. Pullaro attended Stetson University and graduated with a French degree. Studies and work were focused on ESL and international student ministries. She worked as an accountant with her husband’s CPA firm for over 30 years.  She served as Treasurer for multiple PTAs and various academic and sports booster programs.  Suzette enjoys spending time with their 8 grandchildren.

Elithsine Espinel

An Ecuadorian, Ms. Espinel lives in Quito, Ecuador.  She is currently the Coordinator of Academics for Faculty at Central University, Quito.  Previously, she was Professor of Research Methodology in the Chemistry Department of Central University.  And before that she was the principal of a Quito high school.  She holds a degree in Administration and Accounting, and an MS in Higher Education. Eli has written six books on topics ranging from accounting to the didactics of cognitive processes.  She is married to German Hidalgo, with whom she pastors the Renuevo Christian Church in Quito.  They have two children, both who are physicians.  She loves to teach.

Paulina Mosca

A bilingual Family Physician born and raised in Ecuador, Dr. Mosca moved to the United States in 2000. Her volunteer involvement in health care clinics in Orlando, Florida, mission trips to Ecuador and Mexico, as well as volunteering in an intensive vaccine brigade in Ecuador, reified her commitment and desire for community service. She wants to give back to Ecuador the same inspiration, knowledge and support that was given to her while she pursued her dream to become a physician.  In her free time Paulina enjoys hiking with her husband and daughters, as well as running, dancing and reading. 

Lynn Woodhouse

Dr. Woodhouse is a retired professor of public health.  During her career she served as program director, department chair, senior associate dean and interim dean at schools of public health.  Her research emphasized health equity and its impacts on public health. 

David Garcés

David Garcés is an attorney who specializes in Administrative and Regulatory Law. He currently practices law in Quito, Ecuador as a Senior Associate in Mergers and Acquisitions, Corporate Structuring and Cross-border Transactions, Technology, and e-commerce law with the firm Gallegos Valarezo & Neira. He is a member of the International Bar Association and is fluent in both Spanish and English. He lives in the Quito suburb of Cumbaya with his wife Marisol and daughter.