Description

Volunteer in Ecuador and receive the chance to live amongst multiple ethnic groups and rich biodiversity. As beautiful as Ecuador is, 2/3 of the population live below the poverty line. You could help by taking part in one of a number of projects offered such as volunteering in a day care, teaching, helping with physical therapy, or working on a conservation project. There are so many opportunities, and fun excursions such as taking a trip to Mitad del Mundo to straddle the Equator!

United Planet's Quest Volunteer Abroad program offers you or your group a life-changing opportunity to interact with local communities through customized work experiences, cultural activities, and home stays. United Planet Quests are offered in over 40 countries from 1-52 weeks.

Highlights

United Planet Short-term Quest (1-12 weeks) offers 16 destinations in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and Middle East. Volunteers can choose a project from a wide range of projects, such as: orphanage care, teaching English, environmental work, healthcare and more. You will be 100% immersed in the local culture though cultural activities, excursions, and host family stays. You will also be supporting essential community development work.

Long-term Volunteer Quests are available for 6 months and 1 year. Volunteers receive personal and customized support and take part in intensive pre-departure training and in-country orientations as well as mid-year and final year camps with other volunteers from all over the world. You do not need any specific skills or language abilities to take part. You will attain new skills, competencies, and broadened global perspectives through your involvement in the long-term Quest program!
As a long-term volunteer, you will have the exciting opportunity to gain an even deeper understanding and appreciation of a foreign land and culture through service, language and inter-cultural training, cultural learning activities, and exploration.

United Planet is the proud US and Canadian partner within the International Cultural Youth Exchange (ICYE) Federation, the oldest long-term volunteering federation in the world. With over 60 years of experience, the ICYE Federation has a proven track record and upholds the highest standards for excellence in serving both the volunteers and the communities involved.

There are many interesting destinations both in developed and developing countries. You can support children in communities throughout France and Italy; assist in agricultural, environmental, and community projects in New Zealand, Nepal, and India; help with AIDS/HIV programs in Uganda, Russia, Nigeria, or assist in human rights issues in Brazil, Bolivia, Mozambique, and Lithuania. These are just a few of the many opportunities that we offer!

United Planet is committed to the accessibility of programs for all. For less than the cost of living independently in many of our program countries, you can participate in a fully supported and well-structured international voluntary exchange program with over 60 years of experience. We hope that you will recognize and take advantage of this special opportunity.

ECUADOR:

Located east of the famous and historical Galapagos Islands, Ecuador contains within its borders a variety of landscapes and cultures! As a volunteer you will have the opportunity to stay in one of the most beautiful capital cities of South America -- Quito! Located in a long, narrow valley, Quito is the perfect place to begin exploring Ecuador's culture and landscape. Volunteers can experience the exotic beauty of Ecuador through fun excursions and activities while making a meaningful impact on the Ecuadorian community!
Specific projects in Ecuador:

Short Term (1-12 weeks)

* Day Care: This project takes place in Quito at a busy day care center that serve children in a low-income neighborhood. The center strives to better educate and develop the children at a young age. The center has a morning day care program for young children and in the afternoon, school children come to the center until their parents return from work. The students in the afternoon are older. Volunteers will help teachers in caring for the infants at the kindergarten during the morning and then teach the older children English in the afternoon.

* Teaching: Volunteers are needed to improve the lives of disadvantaged children and their families through education and social support at a school in Quito. The students need help practicing pronunciation as well as developing their listening and conversational skills. Volunteers assist the teachers and help the children with their work. They can also help with the day to day tasks of the school and organize group activities.

* Physical Therapy: With this Quest take part in social health services that try to make a change in children's lives! This project is appropriate for physical therapy students and licensed professionals. Non professionals are also welcome. Volunteers will assist doctors prepping patients for their physical therapy. Volunteers may also have the chance to observe prosthetics being made for the patients.

* Education and Rehabilitation: One of the social sectors of Ecuador that is most in need of assistance is services for people with disabilities. As a volunteer you have a great opportunity to help and support children with disabilities in order to help them develop their talents and potential. This will be accomplished through artistic activities and educational support. In this project volunteers can work as classroom and lunch service assistants. Volunteer work entails: helping with homework and class activities; monitoring students during class time; watching them during recreation times; and assisting and supervising students during lunch. Volunteers can also help the children with speech by walking them through computer programs designed to improve their pronunciation.

* Conservation and Environmental Education:

Santa Lucia Cloud Forest Quest: This environmental project is located in the cloud forest, in Nanegalito, which is roughly two hours outside of Quito. Volunteers can work in the organic garden planting seeds, looking after the coffee crops, and maintaining the reserves protected areas. Conservation work also may include cleaning trails and keeping an inventory of identified flora and fauna. Alternatively, volunteers can support environmental education initiatives in the local community, such as improving awareness of biodiversity and conservation methods. (minimum stay- 10 days)

Galapagos Quest: Have the experience of a lifetime working in the Galapagos while getting to know a different part of Ecuadorian culture! Collaborate with the local community to work on organic agricultural projects, help eliminate invasive plant species and restore native and endemic species, as well as transplant them to their new permanent homes. Work on a reforestation and community development project where you can mentor children one day a week. Activities with the children include hippo therapy, gardening, environmental education, and fieldtrips to the farm. (Minimum Stay- 2 weeks)

Yungilla Cloud Forest Quest: Volunteer in an organized community that maintains a dynamic of integral participation of the different groups of the community (women, men, adolescents, children, adults). Community activities include eco-tourism, production of organic fruits and vegetables, jams, dairy products, recycled paper and reforestation. The children also have an environmental education program. You may have the opportunity to assist with the Forest Research Project and support environmental education initiatives such as developing an environmental education program for the children of this community. Tasks may also include planting local species of trees and working in the organic garden which includes small plantations of sugar, coffee and bananas.(Minimum Stay- 1 week)

* Wildlife Project: This volunteer project gives you the opportunity to work with and protect Ecuadors Amazon flora and fauna. Volunteers help improve the lives of animals who have suffered maltreatment and have been victims of trafficking. Working alongside other volunteers at the Animal Rescue Center, you will have the opportunity to house and properly feed these animals. (Minimum Stay: 2 weeks, 3 weeks preferred)

Long Term (6 or 12 months)

* Education Projects: Volunteers work in elementary schools and high schools where they assist in teaching English, Science, Art, Physical Education, and other subjects. Also, schools offer volunteers the chance to coach their soccer team or to create their own activities for the students.

* Social projects: Volunteers help children from a variety of disadvantaged backgrounds including street children, disabled children, children from troubled families, those who have suffered abuse and orphans. Depending on the host organization, volunteers could be assisting in fund raising, supervising play, developing activities and workshops, or supporting families from some of the poorest areas through re-integration and supporting counseling.

Additional Excursions:
After your Quest, go on an excursion to the Galapagos Islands for 5-8 days or travel to the Amazon Rain forest for 3-4 days. (additional cost)

Qualifications

Basic Spanish for most projects

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Emergency evacuation services
• Food
• Housing

Program Fees Include:

* Host family accommodations and meals
* Devoted support from the United Planet team
* Travel insurance
* Pre-departure training
* 1-way transfer from airport to UP's partner office for briefing
* Orientation, mid-Quest check-in, final evaluation
* Language lessons
* Diverse cultural and learning opportunities
* Historical, cultural and recreational excursions
* Global Caring Award upon successful Quest completion
* United Planet t-shirt or hoodie sweatshirt

Credit Available

yes

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

People of all ages and backgrounds are encouraged to join us. We are extremely proud of our international volunteers. Each and every volunteer strives to be a good ambassador through their flexibility, courage, open-mindedness, positive spirit, and genuine desire to make a difference. To help prepare you for the predictable and unpredictable aspects of your time abroad, you will be offered comprehensive pre-departure training and in-country orientations, as well as personal support from our Program Coordinators. We will work with you to help you gain the tools you need for a fun, safe and successful volunteer abroad experience.

Age Range

16 and over

This Program is open to

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
• Phone/Video Interview

Typically The Application Process Time is

24hours

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

United Planet's Mission Statement

As an international non-profit organization, United Planet (UP) strives to create a world in which all people understand, respect, and support one another. United Planet's global network of leaders and volunteers fosters cross-cultural understanding and addresses shared challenges to unite the world in a community beyond borders. In 2008, United Planet was one of only ten organizations selected by CNN to be part of its "Be the Change" initiative.

Year Founded

2001