Volunteer in Orphanage in Ecuador
Overview of the Project
The population of Ecuador has doubled in the last 2 decades – creating a growing population of abandoned children. Most of these children are from poor and/or indigenous families. Growing poverty, lacking education and limited governmental resources further exacerbate the problem of street children and orphans in Ecuador. In all regions throughout Ecuador – regardless of urban or rural locations – our local partners have instituted a number of organizations to protect these vulnerable children from further exploitation and potential homelessness. However, volunteer in orphanage in Ecuador cannot exist without volunteers who are willing to share their time, efforts, skill and love with these forgotten children.
- Program: Volunteer in Ecuador
- Project: Volunteer in Orphanage in Ecuador
- Start dates: 1st and 3rd Mondays of each month
- Location: Quito (in and around)
- Departure and End Point: Quito, Ecuador (Mariscal Sucre International Airport)
- Language Need: Basic Spanish
- Accommodation and meals: Host Family and Ecuadorian meals three times daily
- Activities: providing love and care to orphans & supporting orphanage operations
- Working hours: 25-35 hours per week
Role of Volunteer
In Ecuador Orphanage Volunteer Project, volunteers will help the underprivileged children of the orphanage by teaching Basic English or Spanish. During their stay, volunteers also have the opportunity to explore and learn Spanish (except if participating in the Galapagos Islands). Volunteers will help by feeding, caring for and simply playing with these very young children. Volunteers may also help in developing creative programs for art, music, dance and sports. Additional assistance with day trips, sanitation, personal hygiene, cooking, and administrative duties might be requested. Additionally, volunteers can assist in the reintegration of the children into families or society.
Orphanage volunteers will be involved in various activities such as:
- Teaching Basic English
- Helping children with homework and teaching basic conversational English skills
- Supporting recreational and artistic activities focused on educational learning
- Reading stories, performing puppet shows, caring for and simply playing with the children
- Organizing and developing sports activities
- Supporting in the kitchen/helping to serve meals in the dining room
- Participating/assisting with location-specific duties: routine maintenance, construction, etc.
Skills/Qualification Needed
There are no specific qualifications volunteer in orphanage in Ecuador project required since the project staff will provide any necessary orientation and training to perform volunteer activities adequately. Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred. If you cannot speak Spanish, we recommend enrolling in our Spanish Language Studies program, which can run simultaneous to your volunteer project or immerse in this program for a week prior to your project start date. Individuals who are enthusiastic about caring for other and compassionate to the often unfortunate situations of these children are desperately needed.
Volunteer in Ecuador: Project Locations and Free Time Options
Global’s volunteer in Ecuador projects are located in both rural and urban areas throughout this amazing country. Projects can be found in the capital city of Quito as well as Puerto Lopez, Santa Elena, the Galapagos Islands, the Amazon Region and other interesting locations.
Ecuador is a country brimming with wildlife and varied natural environments. The varied projects locations provide varying free time activity options as volunteers have weekends and most evenings to themselves to explore all that Ecuador has to offer. For example, Quito was capital of the Inca empire and has a rich pre-Colombian history. The capital was founded on the ruins of the Inca city and is the least-altered historic center in Latin America and a UNESCO World Heritage Center. Volunteers can amuse themselves with cultural and architectural splendor while in and around Quito. However, volunteers in the Galapagos Islands will partake in more natural than urban adventures while in the islands. Diving and boating opportunities are at every turn, as are chances for wildlife viewing. Volunteers can take excursions to Isla de La Plata offering world famous whale-watching opportunities, the Amazon Jungle and its lush tropical abundance and numerous tours to pristine and dream-like beaches. No matter the project location, volunteers will find amazingly unique experiences in Ecuador.
