Women carrying goods to market, Chimborazo, Ecuador, 1998 (Sebastião Salgado)
Unemployment, unclean water, disease, and health care deficiencies have made rural-urban migration a large problem in many South American countries. In Ecuador, these issues, added with other economic and financial problems have made poverty practically a social norm, especially among rural communities. Studies have shown that as much as 60% of Ecuador's population lives below the poverty line. Among the rural population, the percentage increases to about 87%. This has caused families and individuals to risk large and dangerous migrations in an attempt to escape these conditions. However, urbanization is not the answer to Ecuador's economic and social problems.
What is the answer? What can ease the burden of urbanization and improve the standard of living in Ecuador?
David McClellan: David is a Sophmore majoring in chemical engineering from Grand Island, Nebraska. He served a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Cordoba, Argentina.
Doug Porter: Doug "digs the reebop." A freshman who is not quite sure what to major in; Doug enjoys the delta blues, Latin Americans, and David Bowie. He served as a full time missionary in the Arizona Tucson Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ.
Daniel Walker: Daniel is a Sophmore majoring in International Relations. He is from Valencia, CA and served a mission in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Volleyball and classic movies are some of his favorite hobbies. He is also known as the "Red Power Ranger." Daniel would like to thank his family and Reno Wilde.
L to R: Danny Walker, David McClellan, Doug Porter