Friday, July 18, 2014

Donation at " Caminitos a la Libertad " Nursery School

Caminitos a la libertad is a social project that we as a committed organization sponsor. We have been doing changes at the places since 2012, when we decided to help needy people around Ecuador and we chose Caminitos a la Libertad in the outskirts of Quito city.  


Around Ecuador , we sponsor some other centers with the same poverty conditions, but We really put our best effort to this one in Quito because, those children belong from poor families who had migrated to Quito from the countryside , looking for better job opportunities, so before this center was opened, their parents  had to leave the children at home alone all they long, becoming a huge problem and putting on risk their lives.  


Gladly there are many people willing to help us on this huge project, this last time of help we had changed completely the atmosphere in the center because, We paint , fix the entire playground and the classrooms.


Helped by the Center Staff , we accomplished our mission...but this won´t be the end..


There is still some work to be done out this place  but we have realized that the Center infrastructure  is  75 %  better that it was before, so they just need few more. Our commitment with us right now is to look for partners who can donate for food basically making sure that children will be feed healthy. It could take time to find someone but if you dear reader like this idea , the center needs around USD 300 monthly for this purpose. 


we invite you to experience and be part of our social projects while you are visiting Ecuador...
for more information please contact us at:





Thursday, July 10, 2014

Ecuador’s Social Security health Service - IESS



IESS FOR FOREIGNERS..
This topic is the one that make our expats feel unsecured because there is not much information about it ( in English) but it is very important to know if you are thinking to live in Ecuador for a long therm.
Recently the Ecuadorian government eliminate age limits to join it and medical exams for people who wants to join to this service.
The possibilities for you to be part of the Social Security Health Service in Ecuador are real and with a good advise , it could be simple.
BUT HOW DOES IT WORKS FOR FOREIGNERS ?

  • First you need to get the cedula ( Ecuador´s  ID) 
  • If you work part time or full time somewhere in Ecuador you need to get the RUC ( Business number) 
  • Then enter to this following link: http://www.iess.gob.ec/  to sett up your own owner account. and follow the next step to access to your portal.
  • After this you have chose the salary rank, this is necessary and it will determine your monthly quote to pay.
  • The minimum wage in Ecuador is USD 340 so I can recommend to select this amount in therms of not paying much every month. As an example you have to pay like 20 % out of the salary registered , it means that you will pay approx USD 68 ( I took USD 340 as a reference )
WHAT DOES IESS DO FOR ME ?


  • Full Health Coverage after 3 months of your registration ( Hospitals, Clinics, Health Centers part of IESS)
  • Full Health Coverage immediate when is an emergency case such as: car accident or any type of accident occur within Ecuador. 
  • Retirement Pension after 10, 20, or 30 years ( it depends of your age and how many quotes you pay after this time)
  • After 3 years, you can access to get a credit from Biess ( IESS bank) and buy a new property somewhere in Ecuador.
  • If you already have a catastrophic or chronic decease  the limit age to access to this social service is 60 years old.











Tuesday, June 24, 2014

Why is Cuenca a major destination for expats in Ecuador?

There are many reasons live in Cuenca -Ecuador . We have tried to put it together and explain our readers why many Americans are choosing this city as a main destination to retire in Ecuador

Cuenca’s three major pros are as follows:









1. Cuenca’s Old World Character and Ideal Climate

When more and more American cities and suburbs look like they were designed at corporate, Cuenca looks like something out of Europe with its gorgeous architecture, historic buildings, scenic public squares and parks, and tons of authentic character.
As for nature lovers, Cuenca sits at the cross-roads, so to speak of four major rivers and is surrounded by mountains, as it lies on the Ande’s mountain range. Most state parks are less beautiful than the cities average walking trail.
And outdoor beauty is important because the weather will make you want to be outside — with year round temperatures averaging in the mid-70s Fahrenheit, getting just cool enough in the evenings for a light sweater or jacket.

And all this in a city of only 500,000 people — about 100,000 people smaller than Portland, Oregon.



2. Cuenca As a Welcoming, American-Friendly, Metropolitan City

As mentioned earlier, many Ecuadorians who have spent some time working, studying or living in the US, settle back in Cuenca when they come back to Ecuador.

That means the people in Cuenca like and is welcoming of Americans and happy to help make them part of the community. Many are fluent in English and the city has plenty of English-language bookstores, store owners, and people willing to accommodate non-Spanish speaking travelers and expats.

Overall Cuenca has a very metropolitan feel, alive with talents, dollars, and a taste for life that these well-traveled and well-educated Ecuadorians and expats bring to it, and all of that rolled into a place that’s very reasonable and affordable to live.


3. Low Cost of Living Coupled with Excellent Schools, Food, and Health Care

 We’ve already mentioned housing costs in Cuenca — they are affordably low, with luxury, furnished rentals running around $650 a month.

Factor in utilities, condo fees, cable, and everything else and you’re looking in the neighborhood of $900 a month — again for a furnished, luxury apartment in a desirable location.  And the same goes for most anything else — eating out at a first-rate restaurant for two runs about $30.  Buying groceries with plenty of grass-fed beef, fresh seafood and veggies will run you about $250 a month — or about $60 a trip to the market.

Along with the lower cost of living comes the higher quality of life for families and retirees.  Not only does Cuenca have an abundance of Universities, including University courses in spanish for expats, but the local schools are excellent and the community places a very high value on education in general.

Many people who move to Cuenca retire there, but if you’re moving your family there, you can rest assured that your kids will receive a first-class education without worry of payment for private schools.

And this low-cost for premium living extends right through to inexpensive, high quality health care, available at 18 hospitals and medical centers in the city, many of which are home to a large number of English-speaking doctors — something extremely important to both retirees and families!

for more information please visit the following link:





Ecuador Real Estate Tours

Whether you want to relocate to Ecuador, GUIDESTINATIONS can assist you…We have Private Tour Guides in Ecuador specialized in Real Estate and Relocation Tours who can take you to numerous locations around Ecuador so that you can determine the one that’s right for you. Once you determine the area in which you wish to relocate in Ecuador, our Private Tour Guides can set up inspections of homes, apartments, and condominiums. We can also assist you in finding an attorney to help with all legal needs, a permanent visa, a bank account, purchasing a vehicle, renting or purchasing a home, and acquainting you with the area in which you are going to locate.Our Private Tour Guides will help with all your moving needs. All you have to do is ask…Simply give us a call to easily and effortlessly restructure this tour in whatever ways you desire so that you may accomplish your relocation needs. Travel to Ecuador, Peru or Brazil for Relocation with the experts.. call us now !


 


 




TOUR DATES ARE COMPLETELY OPEN


The Program Includes:

  • 8,10,13.17 Days / 7,9,12,16 Nights hotel accommodations (tourist superior rooms)
  • Welcome to Ecuador lunch
  • Breakfast every day of the tour
  • Transfers and transportation provided by private transports
  • Airfare between Quito and Guayaquil
  • Private Spanish/English speaking guide
  • Entrance fees according to itinerary
  • Assistance with legal issues, such as permanent visas
  • Assistance with renting/purchasing home, car, insurance, furniture, appliances, etc.
  • Assistance in locating English-speaking medical professionals
  • Bon voyage dinner
 

Not Included in the Program:

  • International airfare
  • Meals not specified in itinerary
  • Gratuities
  • Personal expenses such as laundry and phone calls