Children and Youth Project in Ecuador

Many Ecuadorian children are born into families in adverse conditions, who live in critical social circumstances. Orphanages are over-crowded; many children live on the streets or are accommodated in day-care centers. The project wants to give those children a new perspective and a better future.

Volunteers can work in orphanages, aid centers for street children, day care centers and other non-governmental organizations in rural or urban areas. Orphanages in Ecuador are often managed by Catholic nuns who look after some 40 or more children between the age of one and ten years.

Organizations accommodating street children also need active support from volunteers. Street children are deprived of the right to be a child and they need your support and sympathy. The children in day-care centers vary in age and most of them come from homes where violence and abuse are not uncommon.

Your presence alone and your interest in the children’s lives make a huge difference to them. Depending on your previous knowledge and skills you may teach English, music, dancing, maths or computer skills. You can also help with cooking, eating, bathing, admin tasks or support them with their homework. Any effort will contribute to a better life for those Ecuadorian children.

Accommodation and Meals:

Volunteers are placed in carefully picked host families. You will have your own room and three meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) with your hosting family every day. Furthermore, your laundry will be done once a week for you. You will be integrated completely into the family and take part in their activities as well.

Hence you will receive a unique insight into the culture and population of Ecuador. You will have the chance to prove and improve you Spanish skills day to day. Your host family might be a married couple or a single person with or without children and / or pets. All the host families live close to supermarkets, internet cafes, post offices, malls, bars, restaurants, the historic city centre, night clubs etc.

What is included in the Price?

• Airport Pick-up:
  Arriving in a new country is always exciting. We want your arrival to be as relaxed as possiple. One of our staff members will pick you up at the airport and bring you to your host family. He/she will be waiting for you at the airport with a sign with your name on it.
• Orientation Program:
  Within the first days of your arrival one of our team members will pick you up and show you around. We try to do the orientation with several volunteers simultaneously, so there will be idel options to gain new contact.
• Accommodation:
  You will stay in well selected host families in your own room. This families could be with or without pets or children. The accomodation will be as close as possible to the project. In general you can reach the projects by foot or by public transport.
• All Meals:
  3 meals per day are offered wihin the host family (breakfast, lunch and dinner).
• Contact Person on the Project:
  For any questions, problems or obscurities you can always contact one of our local team members.
• 24 Hour Emergency Service:
  For any questions, problems or obscurities you can always contact one of our local team members.
• Spanish Course (20-80 Hours, depending on Length of Stay):
  In every country, speaking the local language will intensify your experience abroad. The locals will appreciate your effort and encounter you in a more open way in return. Depending on the lenght of your stay several hours of the Spanish class are included.

What is not included?

• Visa
• International Health Insurance
• Flight
• Beverages
• Transportation costs inside the country
• Personal expenses

More Tips and Information:

• Project Start:
  The projects run all throughout the year. Therefore your project will start on an individual date depending on actual openings and your schedule.
• Time of Arrival:
  It is quite comfortable to arrive a few days before the start of your project. You will have enough time to recover from the journey and to do the first trips. This allows you to acclimatise and to get to know your host family, the country and the people.