Our Beginning
Elizabeth Engkjer first visited El Floron in 1997 and met Daniel Mesa Macias. Daniel, a 14-year-old boy, had been missing his left arm since birth. One Sunday while in church, Daniel got up in front of the congregation and asked if Jesus would heal his arm so that he could play the guitar. Daniel's humble request was just the beginning of a series of incredible events.
Elizabeth went back to the United States and worked to secure Daniel's visa so he could come to Colorado to be fitted with a prosthetic arm. In the spring of 1998, following the horrific El Nino flooding, the Ecuadorian Government requested the Engkjer's assistance to provide for the medical needs of El Floron. Elizabeth and Richard assembled a 19 member medical team and returned to Daniel's home and surrounding villages. Desperately needed medical attention was given to the isolated villages. Over 1,700 people were seen in the four days that followed. Ultimately, that culminated into what is now Fundacion "Yo Te Amo" Colorado.
Our Mission Statement
We partner with Jesus Christ to bring spiritual and medical healing to the impoverished of Ecuador.
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV) “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Our obedience to Proverbs 31: 8-9 springs forth from our belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. That it is through the power of the Holy Spirit living within us that any good comes forth from our hearts in words and/or deeds. We also believe in the infallible Word of God, which was written by the divine inspiration as recorded by His chosen men. We read and meditate on the Word of God as we seek to serve Him until His appointed time. It is this foundation and motivation for the work in Ecuador that God has placed on our hearts.
Our Christian Values
The values by which we operate
Service to Others—We value every patient and our partners (internal and external) and exceed their expectations with Christ-centered care and compassion. Our kindness and devotion to their spiritual and physical well being is unmistakable.
Productivity—We prayerfully partner with Christ and work as one team to achieve His goals. We plan carefully, communicate effectively and improve continuously to deliver extraordinary results.
Financial Responsibility—We are grateful and careful stewards of all resources. We advocate prayerfully, yet tenaciously, for all that is needed to fulfill our mission.
Team Relationships—We sincerely trust, respect and care about each other. We work hard, have fun and help each other succeed.
Image—We are known as an indispensable community resource with integrity, driven by our devotion to Christ and relentless in our service to others. We actively collaborate with other organizations to help everyone succeed.
Growth and Innovation—We are gladly challenged by Christ to find better and better ways to serve His people. We take responsible risks, learn from our mistakes and improve continuously.
Meet Our Staff
Since our founding in 2001, Fundación “Yo Te Amo”, Colorado has developed and grown in a positive direction. We’re very proud of the diversity of our staff, and their abilities to contribute their own unique experience and skills to our success. Find out more about some of our team members below.
Dra. Silvia
Medical Director
As the Medical Director, Dra. Silvia has impressively managed the Buen Samaritano Clinic since December 2005. Earning an advanced degree in dietetics, she strives to educate patients on affordable, improved diets since diabetes and hypertension are major problems in this area. Dr. Silvia and husband Vladimir have three children; their eldest is a dentist who frequently substitutes for the clinic dentist, and two high school students involved in their church orchestra.
Dra. Karolina
Odontogist
Dr. Karolina has been with the clinic since June 2012. Over the past two years she has traveled to Brazil for an advanced course in her field. She is a magician at getting the most difficult child in the dental chair. Dr. Karolina works half days at Buen Samaritano and half day in her office in her family's home. Every day she travels 1 ½ hours one way by bus to the clinic.
Fabian
Laboratory Director
Fabian is following in his predecessor's footsteps as laboratory manager. He graduated from the Technical University (government) in Portoviejo and has worked elsewhere for the past three years and now takes on Buen Samaritano Clinic's rapidly expanding patient load.
Eliana
Accountant
Eliana is a licensed accountant who has been with Buen Samaritano since September 2007. With continual legal changes in all areas of Ecuadorian law Eliana has had major challenges. . . Not to mention being wife of a pastor and mother of two active young boys
Dolores
Administrative Assistant
Delores, fondly known as 'Loly', from the ‘get go’ has managed patient flow, charts, and a variety of other tasks since August 2014. AND, Loly attends full time at the university. Cost would be prohibitive if it were not for generous American donors. Loly's GPA was such that it earned her a free semester. This young lady is organized! She and a friend hold a mid-week children’s' church school at her father's church in Floron 8, the poorest of the poor in Floron.
Fabian
Water Technician
Fabian is a new member of our staff as of August 2023. He replaced Moises who had served our water department well for the last five years. Fabian was discovered by our medical director at her church. He fills the position as a truck driver which requires a commercial license. He not only drives the truck but assists the other technicians with the required duties in the production of pure water. We know he will be a wonderful asset to Buen Samaritano Water staff.
Junior
Custodian
July 2023 Fabricio resigned his position at the clinic after 16 years and was replaced by Junior was discovered by our medical director at her church in Portoviejo. It was noted that he was a humble and hard-working young man when he often subbed for Fabricio's vacation days. We are honored and look forward to his being a wonderful addition to our staff.
Manual (Pastor Meza)
Day Guard
Besides being the Day Guard since December 2006, Pastor Meza is our 'Mr. Fix-it man' and an evangelist at the clinic. Even with his un-solicitous
personality he is often found in his guard shack with his Bible open and a passerby seated near him conversing. Pastor Meza has a small church next to his home which is in the 'poorest of the poor' section in Floron 8.
Jorge
Senior Water Technician
Jorge is our senior water employee having been with us since October 2014 for 5 years. Jorge is as reliable as the day is long; he is a valuable employee. He and his wife anticipated children, especially after a miscarriage that severely grieved Jorge. Joy came finally graced the family as they celebrated success with a new born in 2022. It was gratifying to see his fellow workers in the water and clinic come around and support him and his wife.
Pepe
Water Technician
Pepe, with his father and three men, came from Cuba in search of work. Sadly, shortly after arriving in Ecuador Pepe's father unexpectedly died. Pepe became acquainted with the youth group at the church next to the clinic. At that time, Pepe was working at a job with no benefits - even though it is required by Ecuadorian law. It was the church youth group that encouraged Pepe to apply for a water position. Pepe has been with us since April 2018. . . He has never stopped smiling. He is hoping to raise enough money to return and visit his family whom he has not seen in 6 years.
Michael (say Mish-i-el)
Water Technician
Michael, the brother of Jose, is our most recent water tech who came on board in January 2019. Buen Samaritano interviewed Michael in June 2016. When he was told he had the job he asked, "Could you give it to my brother; he has a family?" Thus, Jose was interviewed and hired. This was one of the most astounding examples of brotherly love that I have witnessed. His work reflects the same.
Mayra
Nurse and Laboratory Assistant
Mayra is a welcomed, familiar face around the clinic. In the past she substituted for Angelita the past few years. And now, she permanently fills that position. Her small and gentle way are an asset to the clinic. Mayra is the mother of three and "almost" a grandmother!
About Us
Fundación “Yo Te Amo”, Colorado
6070 S. Nome St.
Englewood, CO 80111
Phone: 303-721-6977
Email: fyta@comcast.net
Our Commitment to Ecuador
Proverbs 31:8-9 (NIV) “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."