Project Description
This project is focused on an educational center that provides children from the ages of 2 to 25 years old with rehabilitation and educational services. These children often come from dysfunctional homes where families have few economic means for betterment. The center offers education to children from preschool through the fifth grade. The center also provides tailored education, pre-vocational workshops, routine care, and medical care services.
There are currently 15 special needs children and youth who live in the “Casa Hogar” (“House Home”), which also serves as an orphanage. These children are afforded round-the-clock protection and care and are given health, nutrition, rehabilitation, and education services with immense love and affection.
Why the projects need volunteers
After a psychological assessment, the children are put into one of 14 different classrooms according to their needs. Each classroom has a teacher. However, because of the delicate integration process of special needs children and to ensure personalized attention, one or two classroom assistants are needed in each class. Certain children require much more specialized care and are dependent on people to help them with daily activities such as eating, toiletries, use of wheelchairs, etc. We believe that learning about different cultures and experiences will help these children in their general learning and development.
Fast Facts What is included? What is not included? What is also included?
Fast Facts
| Voolunteer Time |
1 week |
| Project Location |
Quito |
| Nearest airport |
Mariscal Sucre - Quito |
| Responsibilities |
EDUCATION: Classroom assistants; help with school work, provide incentive to complete school planning education, help to organize recreational, musical, sports, and extracurricular activities, such as visits to museums, zoos, swimming pool, and parks. REHABILITATION: Classroom assistants; help with feeding, toiletries and dressing, as well as organizing sports and recreational activities. ORPHANAGE: help with feeding, toiletries and dressing, as well as organizing sports and recreational activities. |
| Hours of Work |
20 - 40 hours per week Monday to Friday (education center). Weekends (orphanage). |
| Number of places available |
5 volunteers |
| Project availability |
Throughout the year, January until December. |
| Prerequisities |
No experience is required as training will be provided. However, previous experience working with either special needs or regular children is welcome. Most importantly, volunteers are needed who are enthusiastic and eager to help with all tasks assigned. Minimum age is 18 years. Intermediate level of Spanish before commencing as volunteer. |
What is included?
| Accommodation |
- Volunteers stay with a host family in either private or shared rooms; bathroom is shared with the family. Laundry service included.
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| Food |
- 3 meals per day, vegetarian options available.
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| Support |
- Before your trip - 24/7 advice via telephone and/or email before leaving your home country.
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| Training |
- Workshop, volunteer training before beginning as a volunteer.
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| Extra |
- Application Fee
- 25 hours of Spanish Lessons + Activities
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What is not included?
| Transport |
- International flight tickets.
- Local transport once in the country.
- Airline and/or airport taxes.
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| Insurance |
- Travel insurance and related expenses.
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| Visa, inoculations |
- Visa application costs and related expenses.
- Inoculations and related expenses.
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What is also included?
- Transfer from the airport to location of the project or place of stay in Quito.
- Practical, informative advice and support before, during and after project from a team of professionals.
- In-country guidance to resolve potential issues that may arise during the project.
- Guidance and evaluation to check on progress during volunteer period.
- Ability to make local calls and receive faxes at the organization's main office.
- Informative visitor guide with information on recreational activities.
- Certificate of successful completion as volunteer.
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Please note
The project aims to integrate these children into society so that they can be accepted and lead a normal life.
What skills do volunteers need?
• Love and endless patience for the center’s children, adolescents and
adults.
• Be proactive, creative and dynamic.
• Be team-spirited and able to maintain good working relationships.
• Intermediate level of Spanish.
What does the Volunteer needs to bring
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- Towels
- First Aid kit
- Sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat
- Personal toiletries
- Shirts
- Sunglasses
- Books (for personal use)
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Steps to follow
Once you have registered...
- Once we receive your first email we will immediately contact you to give you general information about us and our projects.
- Select the project in which you would like to participate.
- Send your CV.
- Participate in an interview.
- You will receive an email confirming your participation and we will prepare for your trip to Ecuador.
- You should fill out the documents that the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation sends you as part of the registration process.
After you have been selected as a volunteer...
- Get your flight tickets.
- Get travel insurance for the time that you will participate in our projects.
- Obtain your Police Record or Police Disclosure.
- Send us the documents from the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation, filled out completely.
- Verify that you have gotten the necessary vaccines, such as Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A & B, Diphtheria, Typhoid. We recommend getting the yellow fever vaccine and bringing malaria pills as a precaution.
- Get a medical certificate from your doctor.
- Fill out the Final Form that is on our website.
- If the volunteer is not a Spanish speaker, she/he must plan to take a Spanish course in Quito before entering in the project.
- Take a Spanish exam to check your knowledge of the language.
- Check if you need a visa to enter Ecuador.
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