Volunteer and Enjoy Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Bahia de Caraquez,  Canoa

Length of Position: 4 weeks
Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months, 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: 15th of April to 15th of January

Description: The program is also designed to give you a real taste of Ecuadorian culture. You will be part of the family, be surrounded by Spanish, eat delicious Ecuadorian food and see a totally different way of life! Ecuador is a small nation on the north west coast of South America. Bahia de Caraquez "The ecocity" is a pleasant sea-side town of about 30,000 people, favored by Ecuadorians for its beaches and many interesting sights to see nearby. The town is a relaxed and very safe place to live in with a constantly tropical temperature of between 23 and 36 degrees centigrade. The school is situated five kilometers from the centre of town with a frequent bus system.
About Bahia de Caraquez

The Ecuadorian countryside can also be reached in less than an hour. Portoviejo, the provincial capital, is nearby, as well as Manta, a beautiful port city; Montecristi, the birthplace of the "Panama hat," is the perfect place to buy souvenirs or just admire artisans work. Besides that Bahia is strategically located by plane of the main cities and natural attractions: 35 minutes Quito, 45 minutes Cuenca, 5 hours to the jungle, 6 hours to Galapagos Islands.

During the weekend the volunteer has the opportunity to go out on the town with the program's leader, Vladir. There are many bars, clubs, and restaurants that one can visit. The volunteer can experience Bahia's nightlife, learn how to dance, and meet people. Bahia is known for its warm people and open atmosphere. Everyone here is friendly and excited to meet foreigners.

The food in Bahia is very typical of the coast. There is chicken, rice, beans, meat, many varieties of seafood, juices, and plantains cooked and prepared in many ways. In addition there are, of course, pizza, pasta, and hamburger restaurants where one can go when craving food from home. Bahia is a beautiful city where everyone can find something that he or she likes, whether it's nightlife, travel, the beach, or the people. Bahia welcomes you to come share in its mission to educate the children and spread Ecuadorian culture.

Qualifications: Children Ecuador is a non-profit organization created to raise the level of education of Ecuadorian children. This program was founded in 1999 for Genesis del Ecuador Foundation with the mission of offering free education to the children most in need. These children have no chance of being educated and without education they have no future. In Ecuador only 60% of children go to school. Of those 60% only 20% finish their education. The children who most benefit from this program are living in very poor conditions. They come from families who have no money, with one or no parents. Their parents work as shoe shiners or selling candy and cannot pay for their children's education, and therefore the children forsake their education, their future, in order to make a living. Thanks to CE Volunteer Program and its volunteers, during the last years this reality has drastically changed in Bahia de Caraquez.

For each volunteer's participation one child has the opportunity to study free for two months.

Cost in US$: 1290

At the end of the experience the volunteers receive a TEFL certificate.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers receive a week of training to learn how to maximize their teaching throughout the program's schools. This training prepares the volunteer to work with children and to make the most of the time the volunteer spends teaching. The mornings are spent teaching and in the afternoon the volunteer is free to do what he/she wants. The instruction consists of two classes daily in 40-minute blocks per day, five days a week. The classes have 15 to 20 children per class who have a basic knowledge of English. The volunteer is responsible for following a plan made to facilitate teaching. The volunteer always has the help of the instructor for the grade. The volunteer is not alone in preparing and teaching the classes. Once a week the volunteers meet with the English teacher to talk about the progress of students, what can be done to make the classes better, troubleshooting, and ideas for the upcoming week.

Age Range: 20

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi and South African Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Children of Ecuador Program's Mission Statement: Welcome to The Genesis Volunteer Program! Volunteers from all over the world come to the pleasant coastal town of Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador to teach English to children. Hello, my name is Vladir Villagran, I am the teacher coordinator of the Genesis Volunteer Program. This program has been running successfully since 1999 and is essentially about sharing. Give the children your skills and attention by teaching them English and in turn you will benefit from being immersed in the richness of ecuadorian culture and the Spanish language. I believe education is the key to enabling this South American country to rise above its poverty. You will help in this process by teaching a class for two hours each day from Monday to Thursday.

Year Founded: 1999