Quick Facts
Program code
EC-VOL114
Category
Volunteer Work, Child Care, Education / Teaching
Country
Ecuador
Location
Amaguaña, Quito, Region Pichincha
Program start
Flexible start and end dates year round
Minimum duration
2 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
The volunteer work takes place in a children’s home with an integrated school on the southern outskirts of Quito.
The children's home is run by a foundation that has been dedicated to the well-being of children whose rights have been violated since 1993. The children and youth come from very difficult family backgrounds, are street children, orphans and other risk groups.
The children's home provides a safe place for children who have been the victim of physical or psychological violence or who have suffered any other kind of danger. About 30 children between the ages of 3 and 17 live in the children's home, some of them accompanied by an aunt or their mother.
Access to education is particularly important principle for the foundation. The foundation sees education as a fundamental element in breaking the cycle of poverty. For this reason, the children’s home offers the children a school education up to 7th grade. The small school is attended by the children who live in the home themselves and also by children from the neighborhood. About 130 students are enrolled in the school.
There is a large garden on the grounds of the children's home where the children plant their own vegetables. This has proven to be very successful with the children and young people, as they are proud to be able to harvest what they sow. Working with the seeds and the harvest has a great learning curve on their real life.
Tasks
The volunteers work closely with the children and are welcomed by them with open arms. They are always happy about the "new faces" and all the exciting things that the volunteers do and undertake with them. Respect and responsibility are two very important virtues when working with the children in this children's home.
The volunteers help the children with schoolwork, give tutoring and play games with them. The volunteers also provide support with education in topics such as personal hygiene and tidiness of the rooms as well as with everyday skills and the completion of daily housework. From time to time the home also needs help with maintenance and repairs.
Volunteers work Monday through Friday and have weekends available.
The areas of responsibility include:
- Learning with the children
- Playing with the children
- Keeping the children busy
- Doing sports with the children
- Giving the children an open ear
- Helping in the household
- Helping out in the kitchen
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
An apartment with 3 rooms, a kitchen and a common room is available for the volunteers in the immediate vicinity of the children's home. The volunteer program includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner. Meals are taken together with the children and staff in the home.
Taking social aspects into account, this volunteer position is culturally very interesting, as the volunteers can immerse themselves in the everyday life of the children’s home and the reality of the children and their families.
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 children's home is located in the municipality of Amaguaña on the southern outskirts of the capital Quito. The Quito city center is approximately 1 hour away.
Amaguaña is beautifully located in the countryside and you have a view of the mountains. Old traditions and customs still live on in Amaguaña, which makes this place very interesting, especially from a historical and cultural point of view.
The landmark of Amaguaña is the well-preserved church from colonial times, dated 1529. There are also several old haciendas in the Spanish colonial style in Amaguaña, which are full of history and exciting anecdotes. They are part of the historical cultural heritage of Ecuador. In the surroundings of Amaguaña there are nature parks with rivers, mountains, volcanoes and interesting flora and fauna.
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 our volunteer coordinators located in Quito.
Costs & Services
Our volunteer work at a Children's Home in Ecuador includes:
- Single or 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$ 760 (minimum stay 2 weeks)
Each additional week: US$ 170
*surcharge for single room US$ 35/week.
Additionally, you can book:
- Airport pick-up US$ 40
- Spanish course in Ecuador
- Spanish courses in Latin America
- Travel Health Insurance
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Volunteer Guide
Find valuable information about volunteering abroad in our program guides. Find out about all the benefits, possibilities and challenges, that a stay abroad offers you. Read more about the great opportunities that South America Inside has at your disposal.
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