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