For those familiar with this 4,000-meter-high site, the mission house is a symbol of hope and transformation, offering education, job opportunities, and personal growth. It has given rise to initiatives such as a candy factory, an essential oil processing plant, and a food processing workshop—all projects that not only generate employment and income for the local population but also strengthen their sense of identity and pride, improving the quality of life in Salinas.
Now, after over 50 years of presence, thanks to the supporters and friends of the Salesian mission in Ecuador and the generosity gathered through the 2024 Missionary Campaign, the house has undergone a transformation to upgrade its infrastructure and expand its hospitality capacity. The renovations included replacing plaster walls with concrete ones, reinforcing the roof and floor, adding four bedrooms with private bathrooms, and adapting the dining and community spaces.
The renovation project, which is set to be completed by April with a total investment of $25,000, will also include improvements to the ground floor, allowing for the operation of an oratory that serves 300 people, a handicraft shop benefiting 200 indigenous women from Simiatug, a café, and a co-working space for youth entrepreneurship.
The first renovations were inaugurated this past January, thanks to the commitment of the local residents and the leadership of Fr. Antonio Polo, SDB, parish priest of Salinas, and Fr. Jaime Chela. A particularly meaningful element of the renovation was the preservation of the kitchen table, considered the essence of the house. This table was built using pieces from the altar of an old church in the area, crafted by the first Italian volunteers of the Salesian missionary project "Operazione Mato Grosso," who arrived alongside Fr. Polo. To honor this history, the first gathering in the newly renovated spaces took place around this very table, where participants shared words of encouragement, a meal, and the joy of dreams fulfilled.
The mission house of Salinas de Guaranda, whose doors are always open, is far more than just a building. It is the heart of a constantly evolving community, where the collaboration between Salesians, volunteers, benefactors, and local communities has created an exemplary model of community development and solidarity, enriching the social, ecclesial, and productive fabric of the region.
Fernanda Vasco
Salesian Communication Office
