At Manta, in particular in the area of ​​Tarqui, some buildings were severely damaged, including the Salesian school of San Jose. The oldest building of the school and the parish church were so badly damaged that they had to be demolished.

Before the earthquake the school catered for 1,560 students each year in its extensive facilities. Today, in the block of buildings that was not damaged, there are 1,415 students in two shifts, and the jobs of 102 employees are safe.

It should also be borne in mind that at least 450 students in the catchment area of the school have been personally affected by the earthquake (loss of family and home). These are being helped with scholarships, and through coaching and guidance from the School Counselling Department.

There are still problems in access to drinking water and the electricity grid. To ensure the quality of education there have been several adjustments to the infrastructure and services, and a septic tank was built for the treatment of waste water. New desks, blackboards, projectors and other teaching and audio-visual materials were purchased.

In the parish, we continue to provide food rations, although availability is diminishing. On Sunday about 400 young people attend catechism classes, while the Eucharist is celebrated in the chapel of Sts Peter and Paul, which belongs to the parish of Los Esteros.

"Every day there is something new to be done. Our priority is to respond according to our means, especially financial means, to continue to provide education in the Salesian style at Manta," concluded Fr Luis Mosquera from the community of Manta.

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