I live in a building that has mangroves as neighbors. Recently, bad sun caused a fire that raised alarm among condominium owners. For hours we took shelter in a nearby street, watching the tireless hustle and bustle of firefighters dominating it.

As we waited, I was moved by the readiness of those fighting the fire. Men and women of all ages and social status stopped what they were doing that fiery afternoon to exchange their clothes for protective gear that they hastily removed from their vehicles. I wondered what we would do without them and how we rarely thank them for their anonymous role.

In 1898, my ancestor Miguel G. Hurtado, then the first chief of the Fire Department, presented a proposal to ensure a sufficient amount of water to avoid disasters caused by large fires in Guayaquil, such as the one in 1896 that consumed 89 manzanas, half of the city. Thus, in 1905, the Water Supply Plant was inaugurated, which pumped water from the Guayas River, taking it to tanks on Cerro Santa Ana, which would feed the network of hydrants that were installed in the city.

Guayaquil was a pioneer in channeling the incredible energy of its citizens into actions of social responsibility…

It reminded me why I volunteered several times. And although my mother was an example for me as the president of the Women’s Cultural Society and a member of the Red Cross, there is another strong reason, illustrated by Nechama Tec. She argues that social class, education, age, religion or ideology were not decisive in who would save the Jewish survivors of the Nazi invasion of Poland. It was their spiritual concern for the suffering of others that was the reason: “They could not have behaved differently.” We are seeing this these days in Turkey and Syria with 50,000 volunteers supporting rescue efforts after a devastating earthquake.

55 Ecuadorian firefighters went to Chile to support the fight against forest fires

Guayaquil has been a pioneer in channeling the incredible energy of citizens into actions of social responsibility that make us proud. Firehouse (1835), Women’s Charity (1878), Charity Committee (1888), Red Cross (1910), Solca (1951), Fasinarm (1966), Acorvol (1973), civic committees and cultural activity. , and dozens of voluntary subjects forged the historical development of the port city and its lively spirit, which is our greatest legacy for children and grandchildren.

Volunteer effort is difficult to quantify; however, UNESCO and the ILO have proposed several methodologies: the opportunity cost approach (hourly wages of volunteers in paid work); replacement cost (what the employee should receive for volunteer work); social support wage or added social value. On average, this contribution would represent between 0.7% and 0.8% of GDP.

We hope that the draft of the Organic Law on Voluntary Action in Ecuador, which the Assembly processed in its first debate on February 2, includes an assessment of its socioeconomic impact, the concept of the transformation of solidarity, the contribution of new generations, the commitment of activists and the role of universities, giving priority to strengthening the responsible participation of Ecuadorians and supporting the fulfillment of the goal of sustainable development in 2030. (OR)