Turning Crime into Calm in Ecuador
Once known as an “island of peace,” Ecuador has in recent years been shaken by violence from drug trafficking groups. The nation’s homicide rate surged to one of the highest in Latin America, leaving communities like La Ferroviaria—one of Quito’s most vulnerable neighborhoods—gripped by fear.
That began to change when the Undersecretary for Child Development, under the Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion, reached out to The Way to Happiness (TWTH) Foundation Ecuador, headquartered in Quito. Her vision: turn a long-abandoned building in La Ferroviaria into a safe haven for children and families.
TWTH volunteers answered the call. Within three weeks, what was an abandoned ruin for over a decade became a vibrant community hub. With the President of Ecuador in attendance, La Ferroviaria Comprehensive Family Center opened—complete with a dedicated room for TWTH Ecuador.
From that room, volunteers began delivering workshops and seminars based on the 21 precepts of The Way to Happiness. Children, parents, teachers and even police officers participated. The message spread: moral values and personal responsibility could rebuild peace from the ground up.
Partnerships soon formed between TWTH Ecuador, the National Police, the Metropolitan Police and neighborhood leaders. Police officers, who were trained on the booklet’s precepts, distributed it to residents and joined beautification efforts such as the painting of Ugalde Park. One officer observed that the precepts of The Way to Happiness are reflected in daily life, and that applying them enables officers to make quicker, more accurate decisions in difficult situations.
Sports clubs, teachers and even podcast creators joined the movement. One neighborhood leader, moved by the campaign, planted a symbolic seed in memory of his late nephew, hoping its growth would symbolize the legacy of The Way to Happiness in La Ferroviaria.
“The Way to Happiness room has become a center for meeting, peace and planning. This joint effort has contributed to a 60 percent reduction in insecurity in the area,” said the President of the Committee for Security and Peaceful Coexistence.
Today, the once-feared streets of La Ferroviaria are becoming known for cooperation and calm. As one local put it: “Now you can walk around the area and no longer feel threatened thanks to these initiatives.”
Through persistence, teamwork and the simple power of moral values, TWTH Ecuador has turned a symbol of neglect into a beacon of peace. Watch the full story at Scientology.TV/CMaldonado.
TAKING ACTION
Spread the Calm
The Way to Happiness provides practical solutions to help you strengthen the survival of those around you—and, in turn, your own happiness and success.
As L. Ron Hubbard wrote in The Way to Happiness:
“Your own survival can be threatened by the bad actions of others around you.
“Your own happiness can be turned to tragedy and sorrow by the dishonesty and misconduct of others.
“I am sure you can think of instances of this actually happening. Such wrongs reduce one’s survival and impair one’s happiness.
“You are important to other people. You are listened to. You can influence others.
“The happiness or unhappiness of others you could name is important to you.
“Without too much trouble, using this book, you can help them survive and lead happier lives.”
Order your copies, and share them with family, friends and co-workers.
RESTORE MORAL VALUES
The Way to Happiness Foundation International works to reverse the moral decay of society by restoring trust and honesty through widespread distribution of the 21 precepts. Donations support production and distribution of The Way to Happiness booklet and curriculum material.
