Quick Facts
Program code
EC-VOL115
Category
Volunteer Work, Health, Social work with adults and children, Community development
Country
Ecuador
Location
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 health system in Ecuador is divided into private clinics and public hospitals or health stations. While most private clinics and medical institutions are well staffed and equipped, there is a lack of staff and infrastructure in the public system. The result is long waiting times and poorer quality care for the large part of the population who depend on public health care.
In this volunteer project you will get out of your comfort zone, you will look outside the box, get to know another culture, and above all, experience first hand the hard reality of life of disadvantaged people. Our volunteer project takes place in a non-profit psychotherapeutic clinic. The fully committed staff attends people in a socially deprived area who are sorely in need of psychological care but have no access to it - be it because there are no available offers or because the existing offers are to be paid for privately.
In the psychotherapeutic clinic, patients of all age with depression, anxiety disorders, ADHD, stress and drug problems are treated for a very small contribution.
Children and adolescents with behavioral problems also receive help in individual or group therapy.
Speech therapy is also offered, because this too is very deficient in the public health care system and private care is extremely expensive.
This help is extremely important, especially in an environment of poverty, a lack of prospects, a lack of education, often mixed violence and addiction problems. For prevention, the clinic also works with schools to educate children and parents about mental illnesses in the district.
Since the patients only have to pay very little, their contributions only cover running costs such as electricity, water, rent, hygiene articles and office supplies. The clinic is therefore dependent on the active help of volunteers and donations from private individuals or companies.
Tasks
As a volunteer, you can work in different areas of the clinic: Assisting in treating patients, writing reports and tests, maintaining materials, advising patients in the waiting area, making appointments and completing documentation.
Volunteers with psychological training can, depending on their experience and language skills, make their own diagnoses after a while.
From time to time the volunteers also accompany the psychologists to the schools in order to do prevention work there. If you want, you can also contribute or implement your own project and ideas.
For the educational work in the community, you will help the psychologists with the creation, production and distribution of information material.
This volunteer position is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at psychology students, trained psychologists or people with a therapeutic training.
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
It is very important to us that you feel comfortable during your stay in Ecuador. That is why we offer rooms in carefully selected homestays.
In a homestay you immerse yourself in the Ecuadorian culture, you can apply your Spanish skills in everyday situations and get to know traditions, everyday life and the cuisine of the country.
Volunteers will have a private bedroom or share it with another volunteer. The bathroom is also private or shared. If you want to secure a single room for your own, there is a surcharge.
The volunteer program includes daily breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Special diatry requirements can be taken care of.
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
Quito is located in the Andean highlands at an altitude of around 2850 meters. Therefore, despite its proximity to the equator, it is moderately warm all year round with an average temperature of around 13 °C. During the day, temperatures reach between 20 and 25 °C. There are rainy seasons from September to November and from January to April. It then usually rains around noon and then the sun is shining again.
Quito not only has a great location, right under the Pichincha volcano and a pleasant climate, but also cultural treasures: Built in the 16th century on the ruins of an ancient Inca city, Quito has the best preserved historical center in all of Latin America.
For this reason, Quito was the first city in the world to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Quito also offers a lively nightlife, pretty markets, interesting museums and theaters as well as various kinds of festivals at certain times.
Outdoor fans will also get their money's worth on day trips to the surrounding Andean landscapes!
Language skills
In order for both you and the people 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 in the area of psychology in Ecuador includes:
- Single or twin room in homestay*
- 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.
A donation of 180 USD is required to be paid directly to the project
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.
Browse through our section Reading Matter!