Causes for Change Int'l has impacted my life in a very positive way. Let me share with you
just a few experiences I have had.
First of all, I had never been to a third world country and I had no idea what to expect. Zully and I went to Ecuador in 1996 to explore and evaluate where the needs were in the rural parts of that country. Well we were astounded to discover there were many needs especially with people with disabilities, education, healthcare and nutrition.
Since then, I have been on eight missions with Causes for Change and each mission has been very gratifying in the difference we have made in those areas of need. We have set up clinics in many villages throughout the country and have treated thousands of people in the dental, nutrition, well-being, and education arena.
I have learned how very impactful one person can be when they have a commitment like Zully has and how she continues to live her life with this purpose always in the forefront of everything she does.
Sincerely,
Marilyn Varn
My name is Tobby Fried and I have know Zully Alvarado since 1999 which was when I volunteered to go on a medical mission with her and with her organization called "Causes for Change International." What impressed me then and what impresses me now is not only Ms. Alvarado's ability to spot a need in a person or a community, but she is able to almost immediately find people and resources to successfully resolve that need in such a way that creates a symphony of teamwork. She has the astounding ability to make things happen.
When someone in a village in Ecuador tells Zully Alvarado that they need a wheel chair, Zully will send 550 of them in a container. Without staff or a budget, she brings 2 to 3 medical teams and support teams of volunteers to Ecuador each year. She sets up temporary clinics where 1500-2000 are attended in a 6 day period. As if that weren't enough, Ms. Alvarado has opened 5 dental clinics in Ecuador by having dental chairs and equipment donated from the U.S. on one end, and having office space donated along with volunteering dentists and students on the other end. Again, all this she accomplishes without grants or major donations. I tremble at the thought of what she could accomplish with substantial financial resources.
Zully Alvarado is unstoppable. She has devoted her entire life to the service of others. Each year more and more requests for help are made to her and she diligently works, makes calls, has meetings, creates fundraising events and never stops the flurry, if not the whirlwind of activity until she finds a way to fulfill that need. I have been on 5 or 6 missions with Zully Alvarado and I have seen at firsthand the divergent teams she has brought to Ecuador from the US, Australia and Jaimaica to name a few. The missions I have worked with have included, dentists, physicians, nutritionists, audiologists and even Chicago Firefighters who came and trained local firefighters in Ecuador in rescue and emergency tactics. When I think of these many amazing experiences I have seen with my own eyes, and when I think about all of the lives that have been positively impacted by the efforts of this amazing woman, there is hardly a word in the english language that can captivate the emotion I feel. Awe, respect, admiration doesn't begin to say it all, but it comes close. I think of Zully Alvardo as a champion for people in need. Assuredly, there are many good and worthy people doing wonderful things for their fellow man and woman, however, I can't think of one living person who deserves to be honored for their good deeds and contribution to humanity as does my amazing friend, Ms. Zully Alvarado.
Sincerely yours,
Tobby Fried
I have been fortuitous of applying my communication skills in my volunteer work as the Social Media Administrator for Causes for Change International. I was captivated by this organization's mission of providing aid to children, women and people living with disabilities in the Americas. One can only be inspired by Zully’s story, she is the president and founder of Causes for Change. She has taken as a mission to partner with organizations to provide an effective outcome in different projects as well as to give back to her country, Ecuador. Through yearly Mission Trips volunteers have the opportunity to travel with Zully to the coast of Ecuador to provide dental hygiene as well as aid to people with disabilities. This is an organization that relies on volunteers in order to continue growing. Causes for Change International is the result of Zully's way of thinking: it only takes one person, one idea to inspire change. I am truly honored to be a part of this wonderful organization and look forward into being part of it in the future.