Description

Based in Puerto Lopez, this gap year volunteer placement is a unique and innovative project working with a football club.

Football is the most popular sport in Ecuador. The club provides daily training sessions to young people (8 to 20 years old) and in addition to this, they offer some English classes and general counseling.

In Puerto Lopez, teenagers suffer from a lack of support after school. The project's general aim is to provide them with complete support, both on the sport side with football training and on the academic side by improving their English and general skills. Football provides these young people with an exciting gateway to learning and self-development. Your work will be very much appreciated, through the knowledge, stories and advice you can provide. The project requires a minimum commitment of two months and at least a basic knowledge of Spanish.

Through football, English classes and counseling, the organizations purpose is to create mental and physical changes in the community of Puerto Lopez. Athleticism, patience, interest in kids and teens are skills which you will require to make a difference at the project.

This is an afternoon project which gives you the perfect opportunity to combine it with Spanish classes during the mornings in Puerto Lopez.

Your role: The club is very keen for the gap year volunteer to be involved in every aspect of it. There are 2 main aspects to the role:

1. Training & Coaching: From 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm, the youths come to the club for football training sessions. Volunteers are really helpful to motivate the kids and provide them with tactical advice. You will be expected to lead by example and include everyone, whatever their age and ability, in your training regime.

2. English and Personal Development: From 7.30 pm to 9.30 pm, you will divide your time between teaching English and giving young people general support about the problems they face in their daily life. Sport is a very good medium to build skills like confidence, team work and discipline.

Highlights

What you Gain: You will make the most of Ecuador by learning Spanish and discovering the wonderful sights of the country. The different tasks at the club will give you a lot of personal satisfaction and the young people will really appreciate your help. In addition to teaching English you will provide them open-mindedness and a cultural awareness.

You will experience working in a challenging environment and quickly learn to be adaptable. The project will help you develop your own planning and project management skills, to learn to work with limited resources and to use your creativity to the maximum.

Qualifications

No qualifications necessary, but volunteers should have an interest in sports and teaching

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Please visit our website for more information

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country staff support
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Written materials pre-departure
• Travel while in host country

Program Fees Include:

Volunteers stay in Puerto Lopez, just 5 minutes walk to the project. The local family you will be staying with is really friendly and keen to hear about your own family and friends. You will eat breakfast and dinner together with the family.

Cost includes pre-departure guidance and briefing, meet at airport and transfer to accommodation, in-country orientation and welcome pack, twin-share accommodation at local homestay, breakfast and dinner for duration of placement and full in-country support from our local coordinator.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18+

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone/Video Interview
• Online Application plus Application Assessment

GapGuru's Mission Statement

GapGuru is a gap year specialist offering a wide range of exciting volunteer projects, travel programs and gap year internships across Asia, Africa, South America & Europe. We are committed to providing unique programs and unrivaled customer service that helps you to make the most of your gap year abroad.