A/HRC/13/59 descent sufficiently. As well as the obvious benefits for children of African descent to be taught about the history of their forbears, it was pointed out that all Ecuadorian children should be educated about the contribution that Afro-Ecuadorians have made to the country throughout its history. 2. Access to fundamental services 23. Over the last two years, the Government of Ecuador has invested an unprecedented amount of resources in social services designed particularly to benefit poorer sectors of society. Despite this, during many of their meetings, the experts were informed that AfroEcuadorians still face reduced access to fundamental services such as health care, education and adequate housing. The experts were informed that strategies to reduce poverty and enhance access to fundamental services are implemented on the basis of identified geographical necessity, rather than being directed at specific sectors of society, such as people of African descent. The experts consider that, while such an approach is beneficial in raising living standards in an identified geographic area, it would still be appropriate to have specific programmes aimed at benefiting Afro-Ecuadorian communities, wherever they are found. 24. The experts were informed of difficulties faced by Afro-Ecuadorian families when seeking rented accommodation because of racist attitudes on the part of landlords. This is particularly so in the case of large families seeking accommodation. Access to clean water was also identified as a problem among many Afro-Ecuadorian communities, including the communities that the experts visited in Guayaquil. In one of these communities, the experts were informed that drinking water had only recently been introduced and only then as a result of the collective efforts of the residents themselves. Access to water was also identified as a problem for the Afro-Ecuadorians living in the Chota valley with whom the experts met: in this case, it was the insufficient quantity of water to irrigate crops that was of concern. 25. During their visit to the communities of Cenepa on Trinitaria Island and Portete de Tarqui, both in the province of Guayaquil, the experts were greatly moved by the abject poverty of these communities and the need for immediate redress. The condition of the houses was precarious. The roads were mostly unpaved, unstable wooden walkways connected many houses that were perched over a river and improvised electrical wiring was draped along the street and in front of the houses, constituting a danger to all who passed by. Investment is urgently needed to raise the standard of housing available to the communities visited by the experts on Guayaquil. The experts were informed that there were no health clinics, public schools or childcare services in either of the communities visited and that the residents themselves, with the help of NGOs, meet their basic needs in whichever way they can. 26. As well as developing governmental programmes to provide adequate fundamental services for Afro-Ecuadorian communities where they are lacking, the experts encourage the Government to examine the work that is being carried out by NGOs in marginalized Afro-Ecuadorian communities, such as Cenepa and Portete de Tarqui, in order to identify ways in which it can collaborate with these organizations to improve access to fundamental services for people of African descent. 3. Participation in public life 27. CODAE plays an important role in identifying and highlighting issues of discrimination faced by Afro-Ecuadorians and orienting State policy to redress such discrimination. The experts were impressed by CODAE understanding of the challenges facing people of African descent and its intention to ensure the realization of the rights contained within the new Constitution that benefit the Afro-descendent population. GE.10-10207 9