Description

AMPED's childcare projects in Ecuador involve working with children across a wide spectrum of ages and circumstances, including but not limited to orphans, street children, and infants in infant care centers.

At best, the children are from very low income households. The parents of these households need assistance with caring for their children as they work to support their families. In many of the cases, the children have had to endure more extreme hardships. Some have been separated from their mothers due to incarceration. In other cases, they have been outright abandoned.

When volunteers arrive, the children are wide-eyed and eager to get to know all about their new visitor. For many, having volunteers around gives them a form of escape from their everyday life. By sharing their experiences, volunteers give these underprivileged children a connection to the world beyond the one they know.

As a result, there are many opportunities for volunteers to have an impact on a child's life. Depending on skills and interests, typical volunteer responsibilities include:

* Providing daily care getting the children dressed for school, helping them to brush their teeth, and feeding them;
* Organizing constructive educational activities and games;
* Helping the children with their homework;
* Reading stories, and teaching them songs and dance;
* Spending quality time with the children; and
* Assisting the staff with maintenance and up-keep of the facilities.

Highlights

Authentic cultural immersion experience as participants reside with local host families in addition to interacting with locals in the community and those involved with their project of choice.

Participants volunteering/interning in Quito and Puerto Lopez receive 2 hours of FREE Spanish Monday-Friday for the duration of their stay, up to 120 hours.

Qualifications

Must be at least 18 years of age. While it is not required, a basic Spanish level is recommended.

Intern Types

• Social Work

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Starting at 559

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Written materials pre-departure

Program Fees Include:

Includes project set-up arrangements, three meals/day (except Sundays) airport pick-up, host family accommodations, laundry service, orientation, and 24/7 emergency in-country staff support. Spanish lessons are only available in Quito and Puerto Lopez. Participants will also receive information regarding their placement prior to their departure. Placement information, will include in-country contact information, alternative accommodations for delayed arrivals, currency exchange, phone and internet communication, laundry, etc.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

While participation is not limited to this demographic, the average age is 18-26. Participants that are flexible and open minded when it comes to cultural differences, ways of life, and work pace are those that tend to benefit most from their experience abroad, as do those that demonstrate initiative with regard to recommending and implementing changes to improve the project and to assist the staff.

Age Range

18 and over

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Resume
• Transcript

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-4 weeks

Year Founded

2008