Community Work with Children in Rural Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tena

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: Be part of it with i-to-i!
Our goal is to achieve 400yrs of combined volunteering all over the world by the end of 2008.

So far we have achieved 325yrs which when broken down means we achieved the following:

- Over 5500 children cared for on our community projects around the world
- A minimum of 13,000 children and adults taught English in schools and community centres
- Hundreds of animals protected including Turtles, Pandas, Elephants, Monkeys and more
- At least 80 homes and structures built for families and communities in need
- More than 8000 trees planted which are enough trees to offset the CO2 emissions of over 2,000 cars

Want to help solve some of Ecuador's problems?

With urban areas bursting at the seams, Ecuador's meagre resources get to the rural areas via the big cities and what's left leaves little scope for large scale improvement. Unfortunately this forces people to move to the city looking for a better life and the problem only gets worse. One way of avoiding such a situation is for volunteers (who won't use up resources) to help create opportunities in the countryside and give the people a chance to build a life there. This project does just that; it's a day care centre which works with children to give them the best possible start in life and plays a positive role in community development.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights: What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?

"Working with the children has been the highlight. I have such fond memories of sharing hot chocolate and biscuits with the kids before a hard day of colouring and cutting out!" (Debbie Platts)

You will be making a huge difference in the lives of many young people.

If you want to be excited by travel ... if you want to see a side of the world that package tourists can only dream of ... if you want to make a difference to the world we live in, and get in touch with humanity, nature, and the earth ... if you want to join the fight against mindless holidays and save some hard-earned cash, come travel and volunteer with us!

Qualifications: Intermediate Spanish is required. A love for children is needed for this project, especially given their liveliness! As this is working with young children who may need feeding and cleaning, you should also be prepared to get dirty at times.

Cost in US$: $1750.00 for 4 weeks, $205.00 for every week thereafter

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instruction
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety & 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 on the designated arrival date
- welcome orientation
- accommodation & 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

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 Worldwide 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 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 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