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Ecuador Volunteer | Changing Lives |
| Alternative Spring Break: Traversing The Andes |
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 Project Description
The condition of the education system in Ecuador is dramatically lacking, particularly in the most impoverished regions of the country. The persistent rates of illiteracy result from low education levels, high repetition rates and desertion rates, poor quality of education, and lack of educational structure and learning material. These problems continue to affect the youngest members of impoverished families, and the work that must be done to reverse these problems begins with the youngest children through childcare centers. For this reason, we need the support of volunteers like you to serve as an inspiration to the children, youth, and adults in the most disadvantaged communities. This Alternative Spring Break Program connects enthusiastic volunteers with eager young children at childcare centers in Ecuador's capital city, Quito. The Childcare Centers began as a dream of impoverished communities when women began to organize themselves and form centers to take care of the children in the community. In recent decades, many rural families with economic difficulties have moved to the cities in order to find jobs. In many cases, these families, with limited, if any, education, can only find jobs as street vendors. However, these new jobs have come into conflict with the need to take care of their children. In most cases, these families lack the social benefits and income to pay for daycare centers for their children. As a result, many parents have been obligated to bring their children with them to work, which puts their children in great risk. In some of the most dangerous parts of the city, children are exposed to a variety of dangers, from car accidents to the loss or kidnapping of children. The main objective of this Alternative Spring Break Program is to offer these children integral and supportive care that fulfills the health, nutrition, and psychological needs they require at their age. The work in the Centers is done alongside the parents and the local community, which often lack the experience, education, knowledge and economic means to take on and provide for the needs of their families. The Childcare Centers are open 8 hours per day. The average number of children that attend each Center is about 30 per day. The Centers receive government funding for food, but this only covers the basic costs. During days when the number of children increases, it becomes very difficult to provide all of the children with the food they need. About 4 mothers from the community work in each Center per day. Each is in charge of a group of children, split according to age: from 6 months to 2 years, from 2 to 3 years, from 3 to 4 years, and from 4 to 5 years. Each age group of children participates in different activities, which are planned weekly by the mothers. In general, the Centers are located in marginalized areas of the city and rural areas where the greatest concentration of poverty in Ecuador is found. The experience gained by working in these projects is truly incredible The activities taken on by the volunteers improve the skills of the teachers in the Centers by suggesting new teaching methods, building ties with the families, and making the family a strong source of motivation to obtain better results every day, every hour, every minute, and every second of work with the most important human resource that we have—our children. Our volunteers are giving the children a new opportunity to strengthen their emotional development that can be greatly affected by problems within a dysfunctional family. You are giving them the gift of hope and the possibility of achieving a more promising future. Each day a new window of hope opens for these children, and you can be part of this unforgettable process. Most importantly, you will have an Alternative Spring Break experience that you will never forget!
Spring Break Daily Activities
In order to work with children, it is indispensable to be patient, creative, and caring. The children are ready to learn and very intelligent; they quickly discover the care and commitment that the volunteers offer them. When working with the children, you should always be willing and ready to look them directly in the eyes and connect with them, being sure to congratulate them when they do well in an activity. If he/she does not trust you and you do not let him/her get to know you, you will be ending the job before it has even started. As a volunteer, you will support the teachers in the Centers. The teachers will assign you a group of children, split up by age. The activities the teachers plan each week vary depending on the age group of the children with which you are working. There are also some general activities that are the same across groups, such as preparing meals and cleaning up the children. The main activities for each age group are divided into the following: In order to work with children during your Alternative Spring Break, it is indispensable to be patient, creative, and caring. The children are ready to learn and very intelligent; they quickly discover the care and commitment that the volunteers offer them. When working with the children, you should always be willing and ready to look them directly in the eyes and connect with them, being sure to congratulate them when they do well in an activity. If he/she does not trust you and you do not let him/her get to know you, you will be ending the job before it has even started.
Note: The projects and activities listed above are subject to change. Each Center has a different weekly plan, and each volunteer will have to contribute ideas about how to execute the activities keeping his/her assigned age group in mind. At times, there are circumstances that do not allow you to follow the pre-planned activities. For example, a change in weather such as rain may make it difficult to do activities outside of the Centers. For this reason, we appreciate your positive attitude and understanding in case such a change occurs. Your flexibility and cooperation is the greatest asset.
Alternative Spring Break Program Itinerary (Based on 8-Day Trip)
Day 1: Arrival at the airport in Quito, the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), from where you will be transferred to your respective accommodation. Many international flights from the United States arrive in the evening, so be sure to rest and give yourself time to adjust to the altitude during the first evening and be ready to begin your adventure the next day!
Day 2: You will be welcomed at our main office in Quito, where you will be given a short introduction about security and safety tips and information about living and traveling in Quito and Ecuador. Following this introduction, you will receive a presentation about the history, culture, lifestyle, and politics of Ecuador. In the early afternoon, an Ecuador Volunteer staff member will show you how to get to your project site and give you the opportunity to meet the coordinators and the children. In the late afternoon, you can visit the Teleferico, a cable car that takes you to the top of Mount Pichincha, from where you get a spectacular view of the city.
Day 3: Spend the morning volunteering and playing with the children at the Childcare Centers. In the afternoon, visit the Historic Center of Quito to experience the beautiful colonial architecture and exquisite museums of the city. In the Historic Center, you can also see the Presidential Palace.
Day 4: Leave for a day trip to the colorful city of Otavalo, where you will witness the wealth of culture Ecuador has to offer. You will take a bus to Otavalo, north of Quito, famous for its bright and colorful indigenous market. Here, you can practice your bargaining skills while buying one-of-a-kind gifts for your family and friends at home. In the afternoon, take the time to visit Otavalo’s natural beauty, including the Peguche Waterfall, Cuicocha Lake, and the Condor Park Conservation Station. In the evening, return to Quito.
Day 5: Continue volunteer work at the Childcare Centers during the morning. In the afternoon, visit the Mitad del Mundo (Middle of the World) monument and the Intinan Museum, rich in Incan history and culture, right outside of Quito.
Day 6: Continue volunteer work at the Childcare Centers during the morning. In the afternoon, visit the museum of the internationally famous Ecuadorian artist, Guayasamin.
Day 7: Enjoy the natural beauty and wonders of Ecuador during a day trip to Mindo. Mindo is a semi-tropical town only 2.5 hours from Quito that offers nature lovers an ecological paradise. Visitors can choose from a variety of activities, including zip-lining, tubing, repelling, hiking, and visiting the orchid and butterfly gardens. Return to Quito in the evening for a special farewell dinner.
Day 8: You have the morning and afternoon in Quito free to relax, pack, get last minute souvenirs and gifts, or explore the city and its many tourist sites. In the evening, you will need to head to the airport for your flight home.
Note: This is just a suggested, sample itinerary and might be changed depending on your group’s schedule, interests, and preferences. The itinerary is flexible and may be extended or shortened for varying lengths of time. Furthermore, if your group is more interested in volunteering, you can continue to volunteer in the Childcare Centers in lieu of day trips outside of Quito.
Skills and Qualification Requirements
There is no minimum or maximum age required to join this Spring Break Program, although volunteers should be mature and understand the importance and meaning of their work for the community. Men and women may apply. No experience is necessary, but experience working with children is ideal.
Note: If a volunteer is under the age of 18, he/she will need to supply both a permission letter and volunteer application signed by a parent or legal guardian giving his/her consent to volunteer.
Volunteers should:
This Spring Break Program requires flexibility on the part of volunteers and is open to whoever applies, giving preference to those who have studied education and/or have work experience with pre-school infants and children. Responsibilities carried out will depend on the level of experience of individual volunteers, his/her skills and the positions available at the time.
Food & Accommodation
During this Alternative Spring Break Program, the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation will manage your accommodation, food and supervision while you work in the project. For accommodations, you have two options: stay in the Volunteer Apartment, or stay with a local host family. The volunteer’s meals and diet will depend on the housing that he/she chooses.
Volunteer Apartment: If you want to live with some independence during your volunteer project, this is the best option. The volunteer apartment is located in a residential area of Quito and has an impressive view of the city. The apartment has three shared bedrooms, each of which comfortably fits 2 people. Each room has a private bathroom and all of the basic services (shower, sink, hot water, etc).
This housing option includes breakfast but not lunch or dinner. The apartment’s kitchen is fully equipped and available to volunteers who wish to prepare their own lunch and dinner, or volunteers may choose to try the variety of cuisines offered in local restaurants. Choosing to live in the volunteer apartment is recommended for people with special dietary needs, strict vegetarians, and vegans since each volunteer is responsible for preparing his/her own foods.
If you want to live with other people like yourself and manage your own time and independence, this is the best housing option for you. This living situation will allow you to relate to other people your own age and organize group activities and trips.
Host Families: The option of living with a host family is an excellent opportunity for volunteers that are interested in learning more about the lifestyle in Ecuador. This type of experience invites you to observe Ecuadorian culture first-hand from the relations you create and the daily interactions you have with your host family. Living in a family environment assures that you will receive the necessary attention and support you may need to feel safe and comfortable during your stay in Ecuador.
The host families in Quito have been carefully selected by our organization. The rooms of the volunteers are private and spacious, with either a private or shared bathroom. All houses have all of the basic services (sink, shower, hot water, etc). Almost all of the families have a washing machine for you to do laundry.
When living with a host family, volunteers are provided 3 meals per day, which will be shared with the host families. You will also have the option of learning Ecuadorian cooking and sharing your own cooking secrets. Some families have experience hosting volunteers who are vegetarians or who have special dietary restrictions. We will do the best to accommodate these needs, but please let us know of such needs as soon as possible.
Materials To Bring
Most everyday materials and items can be bought in Ecuador at a low cost, but we suggest you bring the follow items with you in your luggage:
Note: We DO NOT suggest you bring any new or expensive clothes as you will likely be getting dirty and muddy during your project.
Passport & Visa Requirements
A valid passport is necessary for travel to Ecuador. Your passport must be valid for at least six months. You do not need a visa to enter Ecuador if you are staying for up to 90 days. Upon arrival at the airport, you will be given a stamp in your passport that serves as a short-term Tourist Visa.
If you will be staying in Ecuador for more than 90 days for any reason, you will need to get a visa. You can get a long-term Tourist Visa (up to 6 months) or a Volunteer Visa (up to 1 year). You can apply for visas at the nearest Ecuadorian Embassy or Consulate before coming to Ecuador. Please contact an Ecuadorian Embassy or Consulate to find out what you need to apply for a visa. Remember that this process can take 6 weeks or longer.
Airport & Arrival Information
The Alternative Spring Break Program is organized for volunteers to arrive on the first date of the program. The project fees will cover project and housing expenses beginning on the first day of the program through the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program and/or stay beyond the last day of the program, any expenses will be the responsibility of the volunteer (usually $20-$25 per day for room/food at the hotel). If volunteers are delayed or miss their flight, it is highly recommended that you call our offices or your coordinator and make alternative arrangements with them.
The nearest international airport, the Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO), is located in the capital city, Quito. It is important volunteers know that there is an airport exit fee each time the volunteer leaves the country. This includes flights to Peru, Colombia, and other South American countries. If a volunteer visits another South American country, then travels back to the United States via Ecuador, he/she should be prepared to pay the airport fee for each flight.
Program Fee
PROGRAM FEE ALLOCATION Fee does cover:
Fee does not cover:
To Apply
For more information or to reserve your spot, send an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
. We strongly recommend signing up as soon as possible as our Alternative Spring Break Programs fill up quickly! |
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Fundación Ecuador Volunteer / Yanéz Pinzón N25-106 y Av. Colón / Quito - Ecuador - South America / Telfax (593-2) 2557749 - 2226544 / Ministerial Resolution N° 0350 |
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