Community Work with Children in Quito

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: CENIT (Centre for Working Girls) is an Ecuadorian non-governmental, not-for-profit organization that was initially founded to help disadvantaged girls in Quito who work as street vendors or in markets. Every year CENIT serves 1,000 girls and family members directly and benefit an additional 4,000 individuals indirectly. CENIT maintains long-term follow-up with girls and families to ensure that girls spend less time on the street, enjoy a childhood free of abuse, and are able to pursue their hopes for education. Although the project does focus on females and their development, you will likely be working with children of both genders.

There are different areas that you may be able to work in depending on how long you are staying, your level of Spanish and your personal interests:

- The Street Outreach program aims to establish positive mentoring relationships with the children, to encourage them to return to school and to assist them with immediate problems. You will help to prepare academic, artistic and social activities for street and working children, and follow up on children and families. You should be willing to work outdoors and get dirty at this project.

- At the Tutoring Center you can teach English and Mathematics to children at primary school age, and organise recreational activities for children who have finished their work.

- At the Vocational High School you can assist with teaching sewing, carpentry, nutrition, drawing, dance, self esteem and painting. You could perhaps initiate a sexuality education course, a theatre or athletic project, or a hygiene education campaign.

- Through the Production Workshop you could assist in the production of CENIT's handmade cards (sold to help finance programs), supervising and assisting children at work and/or helping to market the finished products.

- You could also help out in the weekly Medical Clinic keeping records and entering in new patients (taking height, weight, blood pressure and temperature).

Highlights: You will be making a vast difference in the lives of many young people. These children spend an average of 10 hours a day on the street and another 6 hours working at home, looking after their brothers and sisters and doing housework. Girls are more vulnerable than their brothers in terms of sexual and physical abuse, teenage pregnancy, forced labour, discrimination and low self-esteem. Prior to this initiative most of the programs and centres established to assist children focused almost exclusively on boys, so the work carried out is invaluable.

Being in the capital city, you will have access to any facilities and resources you may need during your placement, from Internet and library to stationary stores and local information. The city is well serviced with public transport. You can expect to travel approx 1 hr across the city from your homestay to your project.

Qualifications: - Must be able to speak at a conversational Spanish level.
- A love for children is needed for this project, just as a strong heart is required to work in this area which can be emotionally draining at times, but ultimately extremely rewarding.
- Volunteers must adhere to three core values: integration, punctuality, and no drugs or alcohol.

Cost in US$: $3025 for 8 weeks; $200 each additional week

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety and culture shock
- English teacher training course (TEFL)
- contact details to pass along to your family

When you arrive we provide:
- pick-up from the airport
- welcome orientation
- accommodation and food
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team

You will always have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers

Salary / Pay: None

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994