In the late summer of 2009, Desire Treur Zova began volunteering at Fundación Nuestros Jovenes (FNJ), a rescue center for adolescents who had been rescued from the sex industry in Ecuador. During her time here, she developed deep relationships both with the women and staff. As her heart for the ministry grew, so did her desire to involve others. She invited Phil and Debbie Douce, directors of a shelter for boys living on the street, along with many others, to visit and minister to the girls. As they continued visiting the girls and doing different activities with them, Phil and Debbie felt the Lord opening their hearts and they began exploring how they might respond.

In 2012, EsperanzArt was founded by Desire and her husband Miguel – a former street kid who personally understood the pain of poverty and oppression. This jewelry workshop was created so that women in vulnerable situations would be able to have a safe and stable work environment where they could earn fair wages, while at the same time developing positive relationships, learning more about the Lord, and preparing themselves for future jobs.

During that time, early team members of End Slavery Ministries Ecuador (ESME) were continuing to volunteer at FNJ and building deep relationships with the team there. Through this relationship, the ESME team was made aware of the desperate need for a ‘next step’ home for girls who had gone through the initial rehabilitation at the rescue center but did not have the option of returning and living with their family. The team began to pray about and take steps towards working intensively with young women ages 18-22 at risk of being sex-trafficked or who had been rescued from the sex trade. They officially formed a new ministry and legal foundation named End Slavery Ministries Ecuador, and on December 3, 2013, the team opened Casa Adalia. ‘Adalia’ means ‘God is my refuge’ in Hebrew, and that was the goal of the home, to be a safe place for these young women to heal, grow, and experience freedom and purpose.

In 2014, Miguel and Desire began visiting the historical center of Quito, where there are many people trapped in poverty and the sex industry. They had a heart for these people and wanted to show them that they are seen, valuable, and loved by God. Every other week the team went down to visit them, to talk, pray, and share God’s love with them. In 2018, this outreach program officially became known as ‘Amadas,’ or ‘Beloved ones.’ 

In 2015, the team recognized the need for a non-residential program and community for the women who had left Casa Adalia, as well as others in vulnerable situations. They were offered the same support in their process of healing and growth as in Casa Adalia, but in a different way, accommodating their needs and schedules. In 2018, this program officially became known as ‘Caminos de Libertad,’ or ‘Paths of Freedom.’

ESME continued with these four ministries, until December 2022. After much prayer and discussion, the team came to realize that the needs of our women had changed yet again. Housing was no longer the biggest need, so Casa Adalia was closed after nearly ten years of operation. 20 women and 18 children participated in the program while its doors were open. They, and the staff working there, were truly blessed through the safe refuge that God provided at the house!

Since then, the ministry has gone through lots of changes, including a new name - End Slavery Ecuador (ESE). According to the needs of our women, we have adjusted our main focus to be empowering and equipping them to grow in all areas of their life and to pursue goals that will benefit them holistically. This gave way to our newest program, the Personal Development Plan! We want each woman to have a plan of growth that is specific to her, to help her reach her unique goals.

The needs of our women are constantly changing. Over the years, ESE has met these needs through different ministries and programs, with the Lord’s guidance in each step. We strive to honor God and seek His will in everything. This is His ministry and we trust Him to guide us, provide what is needed, and sustain us each day as we serve these women. Today, our main programs are Amadas outreach, EsperanzArt, and the Personal Development Plan. Read more about each of them and our other activities here!