Volunteer Programs in Quito, Ecuador
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82 Volunteer Programs in Quito, Ecuador
International Volunteer HQ [IVHQ]
4.18
11
Help promote healthy and active lifestyles among young people from under-resourced communities in this sports volunteer program at an after-school facility, a local school, or a community center. No matter where you’re placed, you play a vital role in building sportsmanship and teamwork skills while
See All 8 ProgramsGoEco - Top Volunteer Organization
4.67
12
Spend a week getting to know the beautiful city of Quito, Ecuador! Partake in a week of touring and Spanish lessons. Travel highlights include a visit to the Equator and a salsa dance lesson. Volunteer work will take place in Puyo, where volunteers will be working at an animal shelter that has r
See All 3 ProgramsInternational Medical Aid (IMA)
4.96
168
IMA offers an opportunity to enhance your medical and healthcare knowledge with International Medical Aid's Pre-Med and Health Fellowships. Crafted for pre-med undergraduates, medical students, and high school students, these fellowships offer a unique chance to engage deeply with global health care
See All 2 ProgramsLove Volunteers
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Love Volunteers partners with a specialist home and daycare in this program that aims to bring a lasting, positive impact on the lives of infants and children with disabilities. Volunteers contribute their time and energy, ensuring that kids with special needs receive physical therapy, stimulation,
See All 4 ProgramsWorld Endeavors
4.86
29
Ecuador's vibrant culture, dense rainforests, breathtaking Andean landscapes, and picturesque beaches make it the premier destination in South America. Volunteers with World Endeavors are based near the beautiful southern Pacific Coast. By choosing one of the several volunteer projects, participan
MEDLIFE
5
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Classic Service Learning Trips (SLTs) are week-long, immersive educational journeys to Peru, Ecuador, Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Tanzania. During these trips, volunteers actively collaborate with local communities on various development projects, including constructing homes, improving access to clea
See All 2 ProgramsChild Family Health International
4.83
6
Experience the rich culture and history of Ecuador's vibrant capital city while learning about the healthcare challenges facing the region. One of Child Family Health International's longest-running programs, the Andean Health program offers a comprehensive learning experience that encompasses both
See All 2 ProgramsFundación Bolívar Education
4.33
3
The program focuses on leveraging childhood as the optimal stage for foreign language acquisition, addressing the global importance of English. This English as a Foreign Language program in public schools is designed to strengthen the four core communication skills: listening, speaking, reading, and
See All 3 ProgramsTravel For Teens
4.5
2
Peru and Ecuador are two countries in South America that are both rich in history, culture, and natural beauty. Join us on this 22-day adventure as we discover what makes each country so vibrant and unique! In addition to exploring majestic volcanos, gorgeous islands, sacred sites, and vibrant mark
See All 3 ProgramsVolunteer World
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Volunteer in Ecuador and discover a country with more biodiversity per square kilometer than any other country in the world: whether it's whale watching on the coast, trekking through the Andes, swimming with giant tortoises on the Galapagos Islands or discovering the diversity of the Amazon rainfor
See All 3 ProgramsKaya Responsible Travel
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Join our Sustainable Economic and Community Development volunteering in Ecuador. Work with local families striving to preserve their environment, culture, and values while creating a sustainable livelihood. You will take part in an NGO-supported forestry project that incorporates ecotourism, jam m
See All 4 ProgramsInstitute for Global Studies
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Through World Internships, IGS presents students from around the world a great opportunity for personal and professional growth abroad. Choose from a range of placements in the fields of Human Rights and Social Work in beautiful Ecuador. You will take on some of the most meaningful work with a non-g
See All 9 ProgramsGlobal Works
4.8
5
On the Ecuador: Galapagos & Andean Service Adventure program, immerse yourself in a meaningful homestay with local families on mainland Ecuador. Participate in impactful community service and cultural exchange. Work alongside community members, as well as visiting and learning from an indigenous com
Volunteers For Peace
4.56
36
Join us for the adventure of a lifetime! Volunteers For Peace (a Vermont-based nonprofit) can place you on a team of international volunteers who contribute to a meaningful community service project designed, planned, and hosted by local partners. We offer the most affordable projects and the best w
Oyster Worldwide
4.92
13
Ecuador is one of South America’s greatest undiscovered countries. With a friendly and welcoming culture, beautiful food and incredible environmental diversity, it is the most wonderful place to visit for those looking for something off the beaten track. Volunteer in a beautiful sanctuary located
ELEP Volunteer & Internship Programs
4
1
Looking to volunteer abroad with underprivileged children? If so, then the ELEP Volunteer & Internship Programs offer you the opportunity to work with children who have lost their parents, been abandoned, or have no one to love and care for them. Our Orphanage Volunteer program in South America pr
See All 34 ProgramsUnited Planet
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Ecuador has plenty of sights to see. Some of its sought-after sites include mountains, jungles, beaches, ancient ruins, and the Galapagos Islands. Its natural, cultural diversity and Inca heritage appeal to many volunteers. Despite tremendous economic progress, Ecuadorians are still working to reduc
A Guide to Volunteering Abroad in Quito
Projects & Placements
As in many urban environments, most available volunteer placements in Quito are in the areas of social services and community building. Child care is a popular area for volunteering in Quito too, whether placed in an orphanage, community center, or other such institution. Children who are living in poverty or who have been left unfortunately orphaned can benefit greatly from interaction and instruction from international volunteers, and volunteers in turn will find themselves learning a surprising amount from their time with the children as well.
Education and healthcare are other popular areas for volunteering in Quito, and there are many volunteer organizations with concentrated efforts in international volunteers can fill a great need by lending their efforts to serve this demographic. Volunteer work in Quito at health clinics, after-school centers, or in classroom settings are all potential mediums for spread knowledge and awareness.
Most volunteer programs in Quito do not require volunteers to speak Spanish, although some do require volunteers to be at least conversational in Spanish and being more familiar with the language will greatly enhance your ability to interact with locals regardless of your placement or program. Some volunteer programs in Quito combine volunteerism with language study, providing a great opportunity for volunteers to enhance their Spanish language fluency.
Volunteer programs in Quito typically run throughout the year with flexible start and end dates for participants to mold their own ideal schedule. The city itself is located right on the equator (“Ecuador”), meaning that there is very little seasonal variation and anytime is great to volunteer.
Life in Quito
For tourists, Quito is most famous for its historical city center, one of the largest and best preserved in all of South America, and for being one of the very first places in the world to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Further, there are many historical and architectural fascinations throughout the city that are well worth exploring, such as Carondelet Palace, Basilica del Voto Nacional, and the Cathedral of Quito.
But as a volunteer in Quito you will soon move past the tourist attractions and begin to experience the everyday Quito which locals enjoy – a thriving cultural, commercial, and educational hub of activity, and arguably Ecuador’s most important city. There are many parks, museums, and other attractions to explore outside of volunteer work in Quito, and many unique cultural opportunities which locals can help you discover too. Start by exploring La Mariscal or Parque Metropolitano, and see where the day takes you!
The city is fairly well connected by a bus system, and is also located in the Guayllabamba river basin, a short ride away from many outdoor adventure and trekking opportunities. Quito is also the only capital city residing in the shadow of an active volcano – if you are feeling brave, then go for a hike on the slopes of Pichincha (don’t worry, the last time it erupted was in 1999).
Accommodations & Visas
Most volunteer programs in Quito will assist volunteers in organizing housing for the duration of their stay. Homestays are a very popular option, giving those volunteering in Quito the unique chance to live for an extended period of time with an Ecuadorian host family (and enjoy delicious home cooking too). Many individuals who volunteer in Quito also opt to live in a flat or apartment instead, either independently or with other volunteers. Consult your program to discuss what options they offer and which seems like the best choice for you!
Ecuador has a fairly lax visa policy when it comes to temporary visitors, so most individuals who volunteer in Quito will not even need to obtain a visa unless they plan on volunteering abroad for longer than 90 days. If you do plan to volunteer in Quito for more than three months, then it is usually possible to arrange a visa after you have begun your volunteer work in Ecuador.
GoAbroad Insider Tips
Quito is a beautiful and exciting city which will challenge not only your lung capacity at such high altitudes, but your commitment and endurance as a volunteer abroad far away from home. High up in the Andes the adventure of a lifetime awaits, one where you will learn a lot about yourself while also contributing valuable services to underserved populations in need of a helping hand.
So do your research to find what volunteer program feels right, brush up on your Spanish skills, and begin the journey of volunteering abroad in Quito today!
Read our comprehensive guide on volunteering abroad in Ecuador.
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Maren Kateraas
Fundación Bolívar Education
A desire to learn Spanish and be able to see a part of the world and experience a culture and life philosophy different from my own. My hope always wa...
Razain Alhassein
Fundación Bolívar Education
My ultimate goal is to go to a Physician's Assistant School, and I had the opportunity to live in Ecuador for 8 months because my mom is Ecuadorian.
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