Quick Facts
Program code
EC-VOL120
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.
As a volunteer 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.
With this volunteer project you can gain specialist insights into the areas of psychology and psychiatry. This volunteer position is also suitable for interns who have to complete a medical internship.
Our program site is an important psychiatric hospital that was founded in 1970 in response to the need for treatment for the mentally ill. The umbrella company belongs to a Catholic order and has hospitals in various countries. The clinic in Ecuador is located in the north of Quito in the former San Luis seminary.
The hospital looks after outpatients and also offers hospital stays. In some cases, patients need constant monitoring to prevent dangerous behavior and ensure their safety. The hospital has around 200 beds; 80 for palliative care and 120 beds for psychiatric care, for children, women and men. The staff consists of around 500 people in various areas, including nurses, psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, doctors and cleaning staff. The hospital treats around 8,000 patients per year.
The multidisciplinary team cares for patients suffering from pathologies such as depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The hospital strives for the patient's comprehensive well-being in the emotional, psychological, social and individual environment.
Children and young people with behavioral problems also receive help in individual or group therapy. This help is extremely important, especially in an environment of poverty, a lack of perspective, a lack of education and often violence and addiction.
Tasks
As a volunteer or intern, you can support various areas of the everyday hospital routine. Personal qualifications are taken into account.
Volunteers work as assistants in treating patients, writing reports and tests, maintaining materials, looking after patients in the waiting area, making appointments and documenting. Volunteers can also take part in therapy sessions in the presence of a trained therapist. Some patients cannot eat food independently. Volunteers/Interns also assist staff with these tasks and assist with feeding, serving meals, monitoring and caring for patients.
Volunteers with psychological training/studies can also work more independently after some time, depending on their experience and Spanish skills.
A regular workflow is very important in the hospital. All volunteers/interns participate in an introduction session in which the hospital's services, functions, routines, structures, processes and protocols are explained.
This volunteer position is aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at psychology students, medical students, trained psychologists, psychiatrists or people with therapeutic training.
Working hours for volunteers and interns are Monday to Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
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!