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Ecuador Community Development Quests
Volunteer Abroad Programs: 1-52 weeks

United Planet offers several volunteer projects in Ecuador. Volunteers can work with children from low-income families at a day care or center for special needs. Volunteers organize crafts and sports activities, and spend time giving children the individual attention they lack. Other projects offered include teaching English to high school students or working at a physical therapy practice.

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Short-term Community Development Quests (1-12 weeks)

1. Day Care Quest

Requirement: Basic Spanish

In a country with many people living in poverty, there are few opportunities for young people. Many young boys and girls end up in gangs or on the street with alcohol or drug problems and turn to robbery or violence. Your work will help give youth a focus and a place to feel connected.

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. In addition, volunteers will help by organizing recreational activities for the children.

You don't need to have any experience in this field. A strong interest in children and an outgoing personality could be very helpful.

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2. English Teaching Quest

Requirements: Basic Spanish

 

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. The school is very open to new projects and ideas from volunteers.

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3. Physical Therapy Quest

Requirements: Intermediate Spanish

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. This is a good project for volunteers with a physical therapy background. Experienced therapists can conduct workshops for the children's parents, helping to educate about the children's disabilities.

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4. Education and Rehabilitation Quest: Working with Children and Adults with Mental Disabilities
Requirements: Basic Spanish

One of the social sectors of Ecuador that is most in need of assistance is services for people with disabilities. As a volunteers you have a great opportunity to help and support children with disabilities in order to help them develop their talents and potential.

The aim of this project is to provide children and adolescents with mental disabilities with skills that will allow them to integrate into society. 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. This is a good project for volunteers with a physical therapy background. Experienced therapists can conduct workshops for kids’ parents, educating them about their children's disabilities.

• Click here for Long-term Quests (6 months - 1 year) in Ecuador