Description

The center is organized and run by nuns that try to do something for all the children coming from poorer families or families with domestic problems often connected to abuse, drugs or alcohol. Thanks to centers like this the children have somewhere to be after or before school and someone that looks after them the best they can by helping with lunch and homework reinforcement.

Most of the children range from 7 up to 14 years and most of them attend school in the morning so they come to the center for the afternoon but one group of children attend school in the afternoon and therefore stay in the center in the morning.

In the morning the centers normally have about 40-50 children and they do their homework with help of the nuns and the staff there. If they are ready with the homework or don't have any according to themselves, they still stay around as some like to dance, sing songs, listen to music, play games etc before they have something to eat and then head off to their school.

At noon the rest of the children start to arrive to the center from their schools and normally they have about 130-140 children in the afternoon. They start with a lunch and have some time to sing, play, dance or whatever they feel like doing before they head into the classrooms to do their homework and school reinforcement.

Volunteers are needed to help with homework and especially with English and Computer as the staff has a hard time to help with this. Then they are of course welcome to help in any subject they feel like. They sit in big groups in a couple of classrooms and every child works on what they have and as they are a mix of ages and different schools.

Volunteers are also very welcome to have their own ideas for the free time and the time when children are finished with their homework. This can be to dance, play an instrument, sing songs, create things with paper or whatever skills they might have as both the children and the staff are curious and think it is fun.

Highlights

What we provide:

Airport Receive/Transfer: Volunteers are picked up from the Quito International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Ecuador will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

Orientation: A half day orientation will be provided by the local staff. Areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation, safety and volunteer placements are given during the orientation. Volunteers are also introduced the area around their project as well as accommodations.

Lodging: Accommodation is provided with a local Ecuadorian host family. All volunteers are provided with separate rooms in most cases. However, in a some cases you would be sharing the room with a fellow volunteer. All host families are carefully selected and approved by the local staff and have past experience oh hosting international volunteers. All accommodations have running water and electricity available.

Food: The host family provides two meals per day (lunch and dinner). Lunch and dinner will be rice, a bowl of soup, fried meat (chicken, beef. pork or fish) and a lot of vegetables. Ecuadorian food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot.

Insurance: All participants are covered for full comprehensive Travel and Medical insurance for their time of stay in our project. To view a copy of the Insurance Coverage provided, please check our website.

In-Country travel assistance: Volunteers are assisted by the local staff and coordinators for any kind of assistance they need for their travel arrangements.

24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff who will be contactable 24 hrs once you are in country.

Pre-departure information: After we receive full and final payment all participants are provided by a pre-departure information booklet which will have all vital information about your program. The Pre Departure Information Booklet provides the complete details of the country, project locations, Visas, Immunizations, Things to Pack list, Accommodations, Contact Information etc.

Qualifications

* Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and an interest in working with children. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Basic to intermediate Spanish recommended.

* Volunteers are recommended to bring supplies such as pen, paper, crayons, scissors, football and books for the project.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

2 weeks: 630

Program Fees Include:

What are you Paying For?
* 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
* Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
* Airport Pickup
* Orientation
* Food
* Accommodation
* Travel & Medical Insurance

What's not Included?
* Airfare
* Visa and Visa extension fee
* Airport taxes
* Local Transportation
* Any personal expenses

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

• Street Kids

Age Range

17 years or older

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Dormitory
• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Resume

Typically The Application Process Time is

2-8 weeks

Volunteering Solutions's Mission Statement

Our Mission is to provide Meaningful and fully researched volunteer programs abroad. Benefit local communities by providing volunteer support. To strengthen the travel experience by providing cross cultural experiences to our volunteers. Use the funds and develop the communities and people we work with.

Year Founded

2006