Operation Thrive began in 2010 in the north of Quito, when Pastor Santiago Bustos and his wife saw some children playing and looking for food in the wasteland opposite their house. They began to invite them into their home, offer them food and clothing and tell them of God's love. The number of children grew and so they moved the project to the church where they could meet their needs in a more holistic way. The project is now in its thirteenth year of serving this vulnerable population.