Quito, Ecuador - In a gesture of solidarity and commitment to the protection of the rights of the Amazonian peoples of Sucumbíos and Orellana, the Salesian parish of Mary Help of Christians of El Girón, Quito, welcomed several groups that organised special days of prayer and fasting held from 26 May to 5 June. The aim of this activity is to raise awareness about the right to water, good living and health that communities in the East should have and that are violated by oil exploitation. Brother Txarli Azcona, a Capuchin missionary who works alongside Amazonian communities, commented that the goal of this day is to raise public awareness of current environmental policies as they put health at risk, contaminating water and food produced locally and killing the biodiversity of the jungle. During the days, moments of personal and group prayer were held to raise a prayer for peace, justice and the protection of the common home and human rights in the Amazon. Participants joined in an act of voluntary fasting, as a symbol of empathy and awareness towards the difficulties that many Amazonian communities face in their struggle for justice and dignity. Young university students, representatives of religious groups and people from civil society were present in the María Auxiliadora Parish to support this activity and learn more about the reality that these communities are going through.