Milestones
2018
May: Maria Lida Foundation is created
July: Held First Annual Fundraiser Event
August: Secured contract with Washington University in St. Louis
November: Launched pilot English class cohort
2019
January: First Alausí Program Director begins working with Foundation
January: Hosted Washington University in St. Louis students, faculty, and donors in Alausí
February: Held Session One of pilot English cohort
April: Launched second English class cohort
May: Obtained 501(c)(3) status as a Public Charity from the IRS
June: Obtained nonprofit status in Ecuador
July: Held first graduation ceremony for pilot English class cohort
September: Jorge Mora began work as Director
September: Launched third English class cohort
November: Began project to promote Alausí digitally to tourists
November: Alausí receives status as a "Pueblo Magico"
https://www.turismo.gob.ec/alausi-muestra-su-encanto-como-pueblo-magico-de-ecuador/
2020
January: Secured contract with Davenport University
February: Launched SiAlausi.com website
May: Provided COVID-19 relief in Alausí region
June: Provided COVID-19 relief in Alausí region
June: Secured partnership with Social Entrepreneur Corps
July: Launched community consulting project with Nizag indigenous community
August: Secured contract with Washington University in St. Louis
September: Provided COVID-19 relief in Alausí region
October: Held first virtual fundraiser event
December: Provided COVID-19 relief in Alausí region
2021
March: Nizag indigenous community became a certified point of visit for Alausí Pueblo Magico
April: Launched Ryan's ASK (Alausí Scholarships for Kids) program to provide tuition scholarships for children
May: Resumed adult English program
September: Held adult English program graduation for Cohort Three
September: Provided scholarships for 17 children, 2 staff retentions through Ryan's ASK Program
October: Held second virtual fundraiser event
December: Provided 150 bags of candy for children in partnership with local holiday drive
2022
February: Launched Fourth English cohort
March: Launched Fifth English cohort
May: Hosted pilot Ecuador Homecoming trip with West Point graduates
August: CEO visits Alausí
October: Held third virtual fundraiser event
December: Completed Fourth English Cohort
December: Provided 20 student scholarships for children, 4 staff retentions through Ryan's ASK Program
2023
January: Hosted Fourth English Cohort graduation ceremony
March: Completed Fifth English Cohort
March: Surpassed 1,000 hours of English language instruction
April: Provided 100 toiletry kits to Alausí landslide victims
April: Hosted Ecuador Homecoming tourists in Ecuador
June: Provided toiletry items to 18 victims of landslide living at a local shelter
June: Hosted our first summer intern, Claire
July: Hosted Fifth English Cohort graduation ceremony
July: CEO and Board President visit Alausí post landslide
August: Sponsored start of the Paseo de Condor project
September: Sponsored portion of reactivation of Nariz del Diablo train
October: Launched pilot family support program for landslide relief victims
November: CEO visits Alausí and hosts Ecuador Homecoming tourists
December: Distributed small holiday gifts to 250 landslide victims and vulnerable people in Alausí
2024
January: Board President and Treasurer visit Alausí and Ecuador
February: Launched Sixth English Cohort
July: CEO visits Alausí and hosts Ecuador Homecoming tourists
July: Secured large cardiology conference in Ecuador (Galapagos) with 200 total persons for early 2026
August: Received award from Municipality of Alausí commending the Maria Lida Foundation for its work in the community
