Quick Facts
Program code
EC-VOL119
Category
Volunteer Work, Child Care, Education / Teaching
Country
Ecuador
Location
Amazon Region, about 1 hour from Tena
Program start
Flexible start and end between September and June
Minimum duration
4 weeks
Minimum age
18 years
Contact us
Happy to help you
(+1) 954 762 7607
(+56) 9 7516 9816
(+49) 7735 425 339
skype: chileinside
8 am - 4 pm EST
Project details
This unique volunteer teaching opportunity is located in the middle of the Ecuadorian Amazon. Here, volunteers can make a real difference in children's lives.
The small jungle school was founded in 2001 to provide high quality education to children from the surrounding small communities. The communities in the Amazon receive little support from the government when it comes to educational programs and are often marginalized and completely forgotten by society.
The school is part of a non-profit organization that cares about the well-being of all inhabitants of the Amazon region - both the local people and the exotic wildlife. In addition to the school, the organization runs a beautiful eco-lodge to offer local people secure jobs, a large animal rescue center and the small school.
There are currently around 30 children aged 3-11 attending the school. Emphasis is placed on promoting critical thinking and languages such as Spanish, Kichwa, German and English. The aim is for the children to have more opportunities to make a living later and to maintain strong and independent jungle communities.
There are only 2 permanent teachers for the approximately 30 students of different ages, so there are only 2 classes. This is of course not ideal, as different age groups have very different educational needs and requirements. The school's infrastructure is simple and consists of three areas for teaching, a playroom for toddlers, a small sports field and living quarters for the teachers.
As a volunteer, you can play an integral part here and make a positive difference. Your cooperation will help ensure that the children receive the education and support they need for their personal learning success.
Volunteers facilitate special education programs and increase learning efficiency for all ages. Depending on interests and abilities, volunteers can help teach any age group or subject, from arts and crafts for young students to math and language courses for older students.
In addition to the positive impact on children, this volunteer program also provides a unique opportunity to learn more about the native culture and biodiversity of the Amazon. You will get to know life in an indigenous community up close and learn a lot about life in the rainforest. This is also a unique opportunity for your own personal and professional growth.
Tasks
You will face a wide variety of tasks, depending on your strengths and knowledge. The focus is of course on looking after the children and designing and enriching the learning environment. Intercultural exchange with teachers, children and families is very important in this volunteer project. Volunteers should be flexible, tolerant and proactively involved in community life.
As a volunteer, you serve as an important role model. Please always be aware of your responsibility towards the children. A great deal of responsibility and a sense of duty are important, as well as a lot of patience and empathy.
Volunteer responsibilities include:
- Look after the children at school
- Supervise free play
- Design the learning environment
- Offer special workshops
- Develop project tasks
- Arts and crafts
- Play sports with the children
- Support children's development with meaningful employment
- Support subjects such as mathematics, reading, writing and language
Life in the jungle starts early, you get up with the sun and go to bed after sunset. The school day for the children begins at around 6:30 a.m. when the children are brought to school in the school canoes across the jungle river. Classes start at 7:00 a.m. There is a half-hour breakfast break for children, volunteers, and teachers at 9:00 a.m. The next lessons last from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and include sports and educational leisure activities (learning through play). At 12:30 p.m. the children leave school again in the school canoes and return to their families.
In the afternoon, volunteers can prepare school materials or workshops for the next day or, if there is nothing left to do, enjoy the afternoon off.
Working days are from Monday to Friday, approximately 30 hours / week. Weekends are completely free and are available for leisure activities and excursions.
Note: The tasks may vary. They depend on factors such as the number of volunteers, time of year, current needs of the project and self-motivation. Not every volunteer may be fully involved in all these tasks.
Accommodation
The volunteers live in a cozy volunteer house right on the river in the middle of the jungle. The Volunteer House is shared with other volunteers who work at the animal sanctuary. This interesting coexistence is exciting and eventful. The volunteers can exchange information about their different daily routines.
The volunteer house has single, double and triple rooms. The distribution is based on the number of volunteers, so you may have a single room or share the room with one or two other volunteers. Showers with cold water are available in the shared bathrooms with modern sanitary facilities - a wonderful refreshment in the hot temperatures in the rainforest.
The school is only a 2-minute walk from the Volunteer House. The volunteers usually come back to the Volunteer House for lunch. From Monday to Friday, a chef prepares delicious food for the volunteers. There is also a vegetarian option every day. The volunteers prepare dinner and weekend meals themselves. For this purpose, shifts are divided so that everyone gets a turn. Dinner and weekend meals are vegetarian.
There is no WiFi in the Volunteer House itself, but there is internet access in the school and in the administration buildings on the Volunteer House grounds.
Note: In Latin America, especially in remote areas where many of our volunteer projects take place, the cellular or internet connection is not always reliable and fast.
Location
The school is beautifully located in a protected jungle reserve directly on the river surrounded by dense evergreen rainforest. Here you will get to know the Amazon region in all its splendor. Instead of car noise, animal noises, mainly from gangs of monkeys in the trees, characterize the ambience. A unique experience of sounds, smells and colors!
The volunteer project is just over an hour away from Tena. It is located directly on the Arajuno River.
The volunteers are expected to contribute actively and with full commitment to the school project in the jungle. But we also expect you to enjoy your free time to the fullest, go on excursions and get to know this indescribably beautiful and diverse region.
Tourism is one of the region's main sources of income. Various activities are offered such as forest hikes, cultural tours to surrounding communities, healing gardens, chocolate and coffee production, outdoor sports such as canopy or white-water rafting, cave exploration, etc. Karaoke bars and discos for evening fun can also be found in Tena.
Language skills
In order for both you and the children in the project to benefit from your volunteer work in Ecuador, it is important to have a good level of Spanish. We recommend it to be at communication level. You should be able to make yourself understood in Spanish.
In order to optimally prepare for your volunteer work in Ecuador, we advise you to take a Spanish course before the start of the program. This gives you the opportunity to slowly get used to the national language, culture and mentality.
You can book your Spanish course in Ecuador directly with us!
Requirements
- Intermediate Spanish skills (book your Spanish course in Ecuador!)
- Minimum age 18 years
- Completion of a foreign travel health insurance (get your travel insurance here!)
- Application at least 4 weeks before the desired start of the program. Read more about our application process here.)
Pre-departure and in-country support
Before arrival, our experienced team will be at your disposal to assist you throughout the booking process and travel planning. With the booking confirmation you will receive our 24-hour emergency number, so that you can reach us 24/7 in case of emergency.
In addition to the assistance given by our office staff you will be supported by the local volunteer coordinator.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer work at the jungle school in Ecuador includes:
- Shared room in Volunteer House
- Breakfast, lunch, dinner
- Advice from our experienced staff
- On-going support via WhatsApp, phone or mail
- Elaboration of your application profile in Spanish
- Your placement in the volunteer project
- Pre-departure information
- Packing list
- Country handbook
- Intercultural guide
- Orientation upon arrival
- On-site volunteer coordinator
- 24/7 emergency number
- Advice on travel insurance
- Certificate of participation
Costs
Application fee: US$ 150
Program fee: US$ 690 (minimum stay 4 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 115
Additionally, you can book:
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Volunteer Guide
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