By Valeria Vlasich, International Twinning Coordinator
The needs of neighbors in California often involve rent, utilities and food assistance. But nothing prepared two Vincentians for what they found when they traveled to Ecuador in July. More than 30 percent of Ecuador’s population, after all, lives in extreme poverty.
Mike Hanika and Laurie O’Keefe of the St. Maximilian Kolbe Conference in Westlake Village, California, visited Rumiloma, a resource-limited community on the outskirts of Quito, Ecuador, to visit their new twinning partner: the Señor de la Misericordia Conference.
This journey was part of the SVdP International Twinning Program, which connects U.S. Conferences with Vincentians in countries where poverty is more severe and resources are scarce. What began as a financial partnership quickly became something much deeper: a shared mission of faith, compassion, and fraternity.
In Rumiloma, Vincentians and priests work together weekly to bring food, medicine, and spiritual care to over 8,000 people across eight parishes. Government clinics are often without supplies, so many families rely entirely on their faith communities for basic care.
The Westlake Village Conference began the Twinning Program relationship by providing ongoing financial support. These funds help provide essentials like food, clothing, and medicine. But during their visit, Mike and Laurie discovered that the most powerful gift was not financial, it was human presence and fraternal encounter.
“The visit of Mike and Laurie was unforgettable,” said Ximena Suntaxi, president of Señor de la Misericordia. “We received them with much love at our parish. They are wonderful and joyful people. Although Mike did not speak Spanish, Laurie helped us communicate perfectly. Their visit lifted our spirits.”
During their stay, Mike and Laurie visited two chapels in the higher areas of the community: San Antonio de Miranda and San Pedro de Balvina. Despite limited material conditions, they found communities filled with joy, faith, and hospitality. They were welcomed with music, gifts, hugs, and prayers and had the opportunity to share experiences with local Vincentians and learn more about their work firsthand.
The National Council of Ecuador also expressed deep gratitude for the Twinning Program:
“From our experience, we can say with profound gratitude that the Twinning Program has been a blessing. It has strengthened our charitable activities and reminded us we are not alone in this mission. This bond is not just economic or logistical, but a true gesture of fraternal love that brings the spirit of St. Vincent alive in our works.”
This visit demonstrated that the universal call to serve with love and dignity transcends languages, borders, and cultures. The Twinning Program is more than financial aid, it is a bridge of solidarity and hope connecting Vincentians across countries in a common mission to serve the poor.
