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A Better Life forLas Queserasin partnership with

AmountRequested: $128,984.22Timeline: Construction: four monthsCapacity building: two monthsProject OverviewLas Queseras, EcuadorLocation:ImplementingPartner (IP): Fundación LegadoBeneficiaries: 110 families and eightemployees(520 total residents)manage, not only generates employment but also contributes toimproving their quality of life. This project seeks to resolve the cheesefactory’s space limitations and update its obsolete equipment, both ofwhich lead to challenges with production and quality. Proper spaceand equipment are urgently necessary to increase production,maintain product quality, ensure long-term sustainability and preventclosure due to non-compliance with health and food regulations.To address these issues, Food For The Poor (FFTP) and FundaciónLegado will partner to comprehensively improve the cheese factory’sproduction process by implementing the following activities:Renovate and expand infrastructureModernize equipmentImplement staff training programFacilitate technical internships for dairy farmers Develop marketing campaignsObtain operational permitsThe current cheese factory, which approximately 520Indigenous Las Queseras residents maintain andSummary:A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)Project Goal: Improve the local economy and ensure sustainabilityfor the dairy and cheese production factory in LasQueseras, Ecuador.Click here to viewthe map location.EcuadorSection 11

A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)EcuadorEcuador is a country located at the edge of the equator on SouthAmerica’s coast, bordered by Colombia and Peru. It is known for therich wildlife of the Galapagos Islands and for containing parts of theAmazon rainforest and Andean highlands.Within the country’s 24 provinces, its population of almost 18 millionpeople (World Bank, 2023) primarily earns a living throughagriculture, forestry and fishing. Natural disasters, soil erosion,environmental degradation and climate change make it extremelydifficult for many Ecuadorians to support themselves. Overall, 40% of the rural population lives below the poverty line andexperiences income inequality, issues which mainly affect Indigenous,mixed race and rural populations. FFTP has actively supportedimpoverished people in Ecuador since 2022.Las QueserasThe Las Queseras community, located within the Veintemilla parish ofthe Guaranda canton in the Bolivar province, was born out of theneed to improve its inhabitants’ quality of life. In 1988 and 1989, agroup of visionaries proposed an ambitious project to increase theeconomic income of small- and medium-scale ranchers in the area.Background and Context2Section 2

A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)Now, the Association of Self-Employed Workers of the Las QueserasCommunity cooperative manages production and sales for the cheesefactory, the economic backbone of the 110 families that rely on it.The finished products include Andean, mini-Andean and mozzarella cheeses packagedunder the brand name Quesereñito.Section 23The dairy farmers bring in the milk through the factory entrance.

A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)In 2023, Fundación Legado partnered with FFTP to improve the watersystem in Las Queseras. Together, we built catchment and reserve tanks;installed supply and distribution pipelines; and conducted water, sanitationand hygiene (WASH) training. A total of 840 people from 160 Kichwafamilies benefited from this project, providing unskilled labor andbecoming part of the solution. 4Section 2Implementing Partner: Fundación LegadoFundación Legado works to develop excluded, vulnerable and poorcommunities in Ecuador by implementing projects that increaseaccess to essential services and enable economic growth, framed byenvironmental protection and sustainability.Fundación Legado is a non-profit organization thatsupports the integral development of Ecuador’spoorest communities. It contributes to fosteringharmonious coexistence, environmental awarenessand sustainability so that these communities may beprosperous, equitable and inclusive.

A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)Project DescriptionProject GoalEnsure sustainability and improve the local economy for the dairy andcheese production factory in Las Queseras, Ecuador.Main ObjectiveExpand and modernize the cheese factory to prevent its closure andincrease the number of partnering dairy farmers.Project planningand managementQuality controlCommunityengagementCompleted cheesefactoryinfrastructureIncreasedproduction capacityto expand market Job creation To meet the cheese factory’s needs and improve productivity, we willrenovate its existing structure and construct expanded areas, integratingthem to create ample functional spaces.InfrastructureSection 35Project Implementation ActivitiesScopeActivity Expected OutcomeModernizedEquipmentPurchase, deliveryand installationTraining foroperatorsOngoing supportModernization IncreasedcapacityImprovedproduct quality Reduceddowntime andmaintenance

A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)Staff TrainingCurriculumdevelopmentHands-on training Monitoring andfeedbackSkilled employeesIncreasedproductivityReduced errorsImproved safety This project will implement a training program for staff on production,sanitation and administrative processes to improve the quality and efficiencyof cheese production. This training will strengthen their skills, resulting inbetter performance during the production process.Section 36ScopeActivity Expected OutcomeThe acquisition of new equipment will revitalize production, ensure high-quality standards, reduce costs and permit better regulation of hygieneconditions, temperature and other critical factors.Technical InternshipsStructuredinternship programExchange ofinformationbetweencommunitiesEvaluation andcertification uponsuccessfulcompletionIncreased localknowledge and skilldevelopment indairy productionAdditional dairyfarmers incooperativeIncreased milkproduction Strengthened tiesbetweencommunitiesAt least 40 dairy farmers from Las Queseras and nearby Sacha (20 percommunity) will exchange their experiences and best practices, observingand learning from each other. Moving forward, the farmers will apply theselessons to their dairy production and delivery processes.

A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)Marketing Campaigns Market researchBrand developmentFairsBusinessnetworkingExpanded marketreach to newcustomers in localand regionalmarketsThe cheese factory staff will become familiar with the production ofpromotional materials, packaging, labeling and with marketing strategies,participating in fairs and attending other business networking events.Section 37ScopeActivityExpected OutcomeOperational PermitsRegulatorynavigation Documentation andcompliance StakeholderengagementLegal authorizationfor cheese factoryto operateCompliance withlocal regulationsAvoidance ofproductiondelaysCompliance with the health and environmental regulations established bythe Ecuadoran Ministry of Public Health, particularly those regardinghygienic conditions in dairy production, will be essential for the cheesefactory to remain operational.

Results ChainA Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)More dairy farmers will be ableto join the cooperativethrough this project’s efforts,supplying the cheese factorywith more milk for additionalhigh-quality products.InputsActivitiesOutputsOutcomesImpactsFundingPartnershipsUnskilledlaborCheesefactoryrenovationandexpansionEquipmentpurchase,delivery andinstallationStafftrainingTechnicalinternshipsfor dairyfarmersOperationalpermitapplicationsMoreproductivecheesefactoryModernizedequipmentTrainedcheesefactory staffSkilled dairyfarmersAdditionaldairyfarmers incooperativeOperationalpermitsIncreasedmilkproductionIncreasedcheeseproductionSkilledcheesefactory staffEconomicgrowth forcommunitySustainablepracticesamongdairyfarmers andcheesefactory staffIncreasedmarketshare incheeseindustryEnhancedcommunitywell-beingSection 38

SustainabilityEstablishing a monitoring and evaluation plan will be crucial formeasuring the impact of project activities and ensuring its success.Encouraging all community members to actively participate in thetraining and decision-making process will be essential for fostering asense of belonging and shared responsibility. Additionally, developinga maintenance plan for the facilities and equipment will be vital forguaranteeing their long-term operability and project continuity.A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)Section 39

Section 4Sandra’s StoryDay in and day out, Sandra depends on the cheese factory for hersurvival. Cheese production is her only source of income, so herfinancial well-being is desperately tied to its success. The money thatshe earns enables her children to attend school and her family toenjoy their daily bread.Sandra is asking FFTP to help ensure her economic stability bymodernizing the cheese factory, renewing the current spaces,building an additional area and providing new equipment. Theremodeling will open the door for the cheese factory to passinspections and be certified for further cheese production.10 Please click Sandra’s imageto hear her testimonial.A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)

Stakeholder AnalysisThe project stakeholders, the people or groups involved in or affectedby this project, will work in tandem to refurbish the cheese factory.Additionally, they will train the farmers and provide the entirecommunity with a solid foundation for generations to come.A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)To see the detailed stakeholder analysis — which identifiesand assesses stakeholders’ interests, roles and engagement —click the document icon. The community members are the main stakeholders, as they will benefitfrom increased milk production, enhanced cheese factory products andoverall economic strength.Section 511

ResultsIndicatorsProject Goal: Ensure sustainabilityand improve the local economy forthe dairy and cheese productionfactory in Las Queseras, Ecuador.Incorporation of 30 new dairy farmersinto the cooperative by the project’send1.60% increase in cheese productionwithin the first year2.Increase in the monthly income of newdairy farmers by the project’s end3.10% increase in the cooperative’saverage monthly income by theproject’s end4.Main Objective: Expand andmodernize the dairy and cheeseproduction factory to prevent itsclosure and increase the number ofpartnering dairy farmers.Completed health and operationalpermits within six months1.Increase in the number of activepartners to at least 100 new dairyfarmers within the first year2.Strengthened technical andmanagement capacities for dairyfarmers by the project’s end3.Result 1: Update infrastructure.Purchase, delivery and installation ofmodernized equipment within two monthsAdditional impact: 90% of cheese factorystaff (including administrative employees)trained in technology and businessmanagement by the project’s endResult 2: Increase cheese production.30% increase in cheese production withinseven monthsAdditional impact: increase in the numberof dairy farmers as partners in thecooperative by the project’s endSection 6Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability andLearning (MEAL) PlanThis project’s MEAL plan will ensure effective implementation, goalachievement and continuous improvement using real-time data. Thiscondensed plan will focus on periodic monitoring of key performanceindicators (KPIs) during the first five months. After that point,community leaders will assume responsibility for the plan. 12A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)

The stages ofcheese productioninclude placing thecurds in containers,and cutting andmolding the cheese.Section 6ResultsIndicatorsResult 2: Increase cheese production.30% increase in cheese production withinseven monthsAdditional impact: increase in the numberof dairy farmers as partners in thecooperative by the project’s endResult 3: Improve product quality.At least 25% increase in product quality,according to clients, by the project’s endAdditional impact: improvement incommunity’s positive perception ofquality by the project’s endResult 4: Generate employment.Creation of at least 10 jobs¹ by theproject’s endAdditional impact: increase in directemployment due to cheese factoryexpansion by the project’s end¹ These jobs will be for maintenance employees and an accounting administrativeassistant. Initially, staff will temporarily be contracted part-time until the factorystabilizes its new levels of production, sales and collections.13A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)

For more details on the project’s specific monthly activities,click the document icon.We will renovate and expand thecheese factory’s infrastructure, aswell as replace its currentmachinery with more modern,efficient equipment.Section 7A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)Project Timeline and BudgetTimelineAfter conducting the baseline survey, the construction and equipmentacquisition processes will take an estimated three months, followedby an additional two months for staff training, technical internships,marketing campaigns and operational permit applications. OngoingMEAL activities will occur afterward.14

BudgetSection 715A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)QTYUNITDESCRIPTIONAMOUNTTOTALInputsRenovated Infrastructure1SumFoundation and structure$648.13$648.131SumWalls$4,840.47$4,840.471SumRoofing$1,034.92$1,034.921SumHydro-sanitation system$365.74$365.741SumElectrical system$94.13$94.13Expanded Infrastructure1SumFoundation and structure$3,145.40$3,145.401SumWalls$22,024.95$22,024.951SumRoofing$6,032.18$6,032.181SumWindows and doors$1,774.37$1,774.371SumFlooring$1,662.58$1,662.581SumHydro-sanitation system$2,148.14$2,148.141SumElectrical system$1,607.97$1,607.97Modernized Equipment1SumLaboratory (glass pipettes, salt meters, alcohol gun,alcoholmeter, thermal lactodensimeters, burettes, lasercoder, acid meter and food-grade plastic scoops)$1,838.28$1,838.281SumCheese production (cold room, tub, stainless steel pump,tank, hanging and digital scales, pneumatic press, shelves,stainless steel work table, steel cart, tubing accessories,package sealer and maintenance, and round lids)$24,725.00$24,725.00Activities1SumMaintenance of cheese production equipment$960.00$960.005MonthsStaff training$1,000.50$5,002.502EachTechnical internships (including training, transportation,accommodation and food) $1,495.00$2,990.00

Section 716A Better Life for Las Queseras (25ECU01)Indirect Costs — Corporate, Network & Field OperationIn-Country Project Management Expenses$10,188.33Food For The Poor Fulfillment, ProjectManagement and Monitoring Expenses$10,799.63Total Indirect Costs$20,987.96TOTAL PROJECT COSTS$128,984.22² The community will contribute unskilled labor at no cost.QTYUNITDESCRIPTIONAMOUNTTOTAL1SumMarketing campaigns (including product promotion andparticipation in fairs)$3,450.00$3,450.00Logistics1SumTransportation, lodging and food for project team$24,725.00$3,750.001SumManufacturing, transportation and packaging of cheeseproduction equipment$1,150.00$1,150.00Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning1SumMEAL activities$6,113.00$6,113.00Personnel1SumPermit management technician$2,760.00$2,760.001SumDairy and production technician$2,300.00$2,300.003MonthsArchitect/civil engineer$1,299.50$3,898.508MonthsFFTP supervision visits$460.00$3,680.001SumUnskilled labor$6,948.15$6,948.151SumUnskilled labor²-$6,948.15-$6,948.15Total Direct Costs$107,996.26The funds you generously contribute to Food For The Poor will be used towardcompletion of your project of choice. If any of your donation exceeds budgetcost, rest assured that it will be used to fund other Food For The Poor programsand organizational support to meet the urgent needs of the poor.Contributions are tax-deductible under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3).

About Food For The PoorFood For The Poor, one of the largest international relief and developmentorganizations in the nation, does much more than feed millions of hungry childrenand families living in poverty primarily in 15 countries of Latin America and theCaribbean. This interdenominational Christian ministry provides emergency reliefassistance, water, medicine, educational materials, homes, support for vulnerablechildren, care for the aged, skills training and micro-enterprise developmentassistance. For more information, please visit foodforthepoor.org.If you would like more information about this report, please contact your advisor.