Sample Volunteer Abroad Projects — Ecuador
In Ecuador we've established close partnerships with a number of local NGOs and foundations. Available host projects reflect changing needs and priorities and may vary from those shown. After you apply, we work closely with your Sending Country and our Host project oganizations to find an appropriate placement that best matches your skills, preferences and capabilities.
During your orientation and language-training period in Ecuador, you'll visit several on-going projects and then together we'll select a placement that best matches your preferences and capabilities. You will also be able to read reports of former volunteers about some of these projects.
Social and Welfare Services - Environment - Education and Teaching
Social and welfare services
Organizations that cater for the most disadvantaged in society are always in need of volunteer assistants. Placements are available in projects such as day-care centers for children of poor families, outreach program for working street children, after school tutoring, with shelters for the homeless and for street children, and respite centers for the disabled. Volunteers must be patient, caring and able to cope with difficult or distressing situations.
Here are sample projects:
CENIT
CENIT (Center for the Working Female Child) is a non-profit organization based in a poor section of south Quito. Founded in 1991 by the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, CENIT uses educational programs to help children from impoverished families who are forced to work at a young age. Volunteers work at a drop-in tutoring center, in an outreach program that brings the center's services to children on the streets, in and around produce markets, and with parents when possible to encourage them to have their children take advantage of CENIT´s services. While working at CENIT, volunteers will continue to live with the families that host them during the Spanish course.
FINE
FINE (Foundation for the Integration of Special Children) is a non-profit organization working with special need and underprivileged adults and children. The Center involves students in a variety of vocational and developmental activities such as ceramics, cooking, survival skills, and small animal husbandry projects to prepare them to be financially independent and able to participate actively in Ecuadorian life and society. Volunteers serve as assistants to Special Education teachers at Fine's Center for Integral Development in Pomasqui, a small town one half hour north of Quito. While working at FINE, volunteers will continue to live with the families that host them during the Spanish course.
Environment
Ecuador is one of the region's most environmentally diverse countries, but many natural habitats are being destroyed by deforestation and desertification. Conservation projects have been established to protect native wildlife and habitats such as rainforests and cloud-forests. Volunteers who are physically fit and enjoy the outdoors are needed to assist in many of these conservation projects.
A typical project:
Santa Lucia Reserve is a community-based conservation organization in the cloud-forests of northwestern Ecuador. Their aim is to conserve and protect the forest while developing sustainable income sources for the local families through eco-tourism and volunteer work. Work involves reforestation, trail building and repair, organic agriculture, and conservation education. Room and board will be provided at Santa Lucia.
back to topEducation and teaching
Many charitable institutions in Ecuador work towards providing an education for the poorest in society who would not otherwise go to school. Knowledge of English provides a major advantage in terms of future opportunities, and this is an area where volunteers can be of great service. Placements are available in several educational institutions in and around Quito and in some rural areas.
Here are sample projects:
La Dolorosa Shelter near Quito is a non-profit organization that provides education and a home for children whose families are unable to care for them. The shelter caters to children between the ages of 5 and 17. Volunteers teach English to the children, help them with their homework, and organize recreational activities. While serving at La Dolorosa, volunteers will continue to live with the families that host them during the Spanish course.
The Conocoto Rural School serves neglected rural communities that lack the most basic health facilities. The school has a health center to attend to basic emergencies and transfers serious cases to local hospitals. Common health problems include TB, malnutrition, parasitosis, and poisoning from insecticides. Volunteer nurses work alongside health promoters from the communities to teach health education, personal hygiene and disease prevention to the students and their families. Board and lodging will be provided by the school.
