In 2016, adolescents from two earthquake-affected regions in Ecuador - Esmeraldas and Manabi – were trained to use a digital mapping tool to document the impact of the April 2016 earthquake in their communities. The goal was to empower the youth and enable them to be part of the earthquake response. The “Voices of Youth Maps” application allowed participants to gather information through photographs and GPS, by using smartphones. Originally, 20 young people were trained and undertook mapping over 4 weeks in Esmeraldas. The project was later extended to Sucumbios province and 55 young people...

Hey little me, I wish you had written down a couple of questions for me to answer today. It is hard to think what you would have wanted me to talk about specifically, since I am you and not, at the same time. My last resource is guessing. I am not sure if you ever desired advice from an older self in order to take decisions. So even though you did not wish for them, here is a couple of bits of advice: To the one I was 15 years ago, math is hard but learning is great. Do not feel like you need to follow what everybody else does in order to feel part of the bunch. Keep being loud and kind; you...

My name is Maria Jose Cisneros Caceres and I am a 26-year-old doctor from Ecuador. I work as a junior researcher at the Universidad Internacional del Ecuador (UIDE) and as a medical doctor at a public hospital in Quito which has become one of the main centers for patients with COVID-19 in my country. Throughout my career I've had the chance to do research and internships at the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO), at the department of emergency preparedness and disaster relief, and at public hospitals from Spain and Portugal. I have come to the conclusion that nothing could have prepared...

In the spawn of three months, grandparents learned how to use Zoom, professors that had been teaching since the last millennium had to learn forcefully about live-streaming and virtual conferences, and humanity realized that many daily activities can be done online. Technology had been swallowing slowly our daily routines during the last decade; however, it took an accelerated and imposed growth due to this pandemic This change to online-based society seems easy and even unavoidable in the so-called High-Income countries. But Low-Middle Income countries got stuck in a slow development, where...

Now that the COVID-19 vaccination has advanced greatly in many countries, levels of absenteeism are rising in the places where the doses are being put. The anti-vaccination movement has had a significant impact on this matter, alongside the help of fake news and disinformation. Misleading communities is a serious issue, but it becomes even bigger when those people are parents. At this level, it not only affects them, but also their children’s health. Thus, this problem escalates from an individual sphere to a family spectrum. And just like in other medical instances, the youth is not given a...

The COVID-19 pandemic changed everyone’s lives abruptly. Lockdowns were enforced, businesses were closed, and schools had to shut down and transfer their classrooms to a virtual sphere. Homes suddenly became workplaces, both for adults and children. But for many, it was not easy. Numerous siblings sharing the only phone or computer available, sometimes even borrowed from a family member or neighbor. Some kids climbing up trees to get data reception; meanwhile others were spending the entire day at a park or shopping mall to use the free Wi-Fi. Adults tend to have many different activities...

Many subjects are being discussed around the world; however, education isn't given the importance it deserves. Yes, we try to implement things around us, and improving education is known to be in every politician's agenda. This is much discussed and talked about, but are actions really being taken? Education is the key and base for children to grow up. It opens doors in our life to bigger opportunities and futures. Everyone deserves a chance and should receive it. It's a common discussion that people have, but education isn't only about learning, it's about helping people discover that true...

Education is like a tree It sprouts and grows as long as you take care of it It will help to a massive degree Even if it's just bit by bit. Kids around the world don't get a chance to learn Due to the future that was left for them But if people that have the power to help were in concern It would make that kids future from a brick to a gem We could create different places to grow this tree That could take care of people that want to understand And be able to surround them in glee With the many problems at hand If we all give a little of water to the roots We can help the future, help us...