Description

Located in La Villaflora, an underserved area of south Quito, this integrated therapy center calls on its dedicated, multidisciplinary team to treat children and adults with its broad spectrum of services: from early stimulation for the mentally disabled, physical rehabilitation, occupational therapy, programs for the learning challenged, and language therapy. The committed founder and staff have poured passion, skills, and personal resources to get this Center off the ground using a "pay what you can" model. Now, that they are established, they are seeking volunteers to be able to provide free, additional services to those clients on their waiting list and expand the Center's sources of sustainable funding into the future, including online Spanish courses and the sale of educational materials.

* Role of Volunteer

Volunteers would assist the physical and occupational therapists with patient treatments. Further, as the current Ecuadorian President Correa has promised to mandate special education in public schools, the Center is hoping to expand its Special Education program to prepare to mainstream children with learning disabilities. The Center is also hoping to start summer programs with engaging arts, dance, music, sports, etc. for the underserved community in its environs. The Center also needs assistance in its effort to market its programming to potential outside funders.

Highlights

Ecuador is one of those rare destinations in the world that seems to have the unique combination of natural beauty, intriguing history, and vibrant culture. Nestled along the Equator in the northwest corner of the South American continent, much of the country still remains wild and uncharted. It is home to the highest active volcano in the world, pristine Pacific beaches, and virgin tropical rainforests as well as ancient Incan history now echoed through the lively Ecuadorian culture. Ecuador is marked by its diversity. Within a territory of 120,000 square miles, one can travel from sea level to 12,000 feet of altitude within a six-hour drive, visit a fishing town and see a highland village within the same day.

Qualifications

- Volunteers must be 18 and over, with valid passport and health insurance.
- Education or work experience in early childhood education, physical or occupational therapy, or business/marketing is a plus.
- Intermediate to Advanced Spanish speakers strongly preferred.
- Volunteers should be open, flexible, patient, passionate, creative and come with a spirit of collaboration and solidarity.

Intern Types

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

950 for two weeks

Program Fees Include:

Airport pickup, homestay accommodations with three meals/day, health/safety/cultural orientation, program supervision, and 24 hour staff support

Fees do not include airfare, insurance, any VISA fees. And optional Spanish classes can be arranged through the Center's online Spanish program.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18 yeard old and above

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

EcuaExplora's Mission Statement

To make it possible for international students, interns and volunteers to have meaningful experiences studying in Ecuadorian universities and institutions of higher education, interning in professional placements throughout Ecuador, and volunteering in collaborative projects focused on the sustainable social and economic development of Ecuador.

Year Founded

2010