Description

In Ecuador cancer is a major cause of child-mortality. There is only one children's hospital in Quito and families come from the entire Andes region to get treatment for their children. This charity was set up to assist these families and to fund the chemotherapy and radiotherapy needed to fight cancer. The gap year project currently helps 50 children who are aged between 6 months and 10 years old and also supports the families during their stay in the capital.

Your role: The children coming to the hospital miss school whilst they are receiving treatment and also need some distraction from their illness. Volunteers are desperately needed to entertain and teach them!

Gap Year volunteers go into the wards where they run activities and arrange games for the children. Arts, crafts and drama are a great way to keep them amused. Some children may also require informal teaching and help with their homework to ensure they do not fall behind in their education whilst receiving treatment.

Highlights

What you gain: Volunteers can really feel part of the children's treatment program and can provide them with invaluable distraction and education. This is a great opportunity to use any skills you have in a really productive and helpful way.

If you wish to improve your Spanish we can organise classes in Quito before you start your placement.

Accommodation: Volunteers stay with a local family in Quito, a bus ride from the hospital. The host families are really friendly and are keen to hear about volunteers' family and friends back home. You will eat breakfast and dinner together with the family.

Qualifications

No qualifications necessary, but volunteers should have an interest in working with children.

Intern Types

• Health Sciences

Languages

• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Please visit our website for more information

Cost Includes:

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

Program Fees Include:

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 or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

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

Post Services Include

• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

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.