Street Children Program in Ecuador

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Pichincha

Durations of Program: 3-6 months, 7-12 months, 1-2 years and over 2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: all year through

Description: The Street Children Program was initiated in 2001. Its purpose is to help abandoned, mistreated children that are forced to live in the dangerous streets every day and that have no conscious of their rights as children.

This program currently cares for approximately thirty children from 2 to 16 years old, providing them with accommodation, food, educational and psychological follow-up for a temporal time. This project tries to reinsert them in their families as much as possible. The project also accommodates 280 scholar children, giving them lunch and school support in the afternoon.

The center is located in the old town of Quito, the historical part of the city.

Program Description:
The volunteer work in this project concerns a lot of different aspects

* Educational aspect: The majority of the children don't go to school and need to be taught basic knowledge of spanish, mathematics, english, etc. The classes have to be prepared by the volunteers according to the level of the children.
* Personal aspect: Children need to know about their rights as children and as human beings, and also need to experience moral and ethical values like respect, tolerance, honesty, etc.
* Ludic aspect: Most of the children have never had a "real" childhood and have to learn to be children again. By playing games they can learn to live in society and to share and express their emotions.
* Emotional aspect: The children have never experienced a loving, caring surrounding or stable relationships, and that's why the volunteer's affection towards the children is so important for their self-esteem and personal development.

If you are interested in working with children, this volunteer project is probably perfect for you!

Volunteer Work Activities:
- In the morning: classes with the children (mathematics, English, Spanish).
- In the afternoon: manual activities, games, workshops, etc. He/she can also take the initiative of excursions.

Duration:
The volunteer work with the street children needs a minimum of 3 months.

Highlights: Free time is available on weekends. During this time you can take excursions to other parts of the country or stay in town and get to know the community and people more intimately.

Qualifications: All the volunteers need to have some knowledge of the Spanish language before starting their volunteer work. If the volunteer is not at this level, Ecuador Volunteer could help him/her to find the best program to improve their Spanish skills before starting the project.

Cost in US$: 165-360 USD/Month

*Not included: Travel insurance - Transportation - Personal expenses - Administrative Costs of Ecuador Volunteer.
Note: The average cost for each meal in Ecuador is 2.00 USD

*Monthly Living Cost
- Ecuadorian Families: 450 USD (includes meals)
- Hostel - Shared Rooms: 200 USD to 300 USD (Without meals)
- Hostel - Private Rooms: 300 USD to 450 USD (Without meals)

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Ecuador Volunteer Foundation's Mission Statement: We are Ecuador Volunteer, an international nonprofit organization founded in 1999 committed to the provision of volunteering opportunities in social, educational and community development in Ecuador. Voluntary work opportunities based around Quito and main programs offer experiences of cultural exchanges, work and help with local people. We arrange voluntary placements in the environmental or community area. The environmental involves working in nature on a wide variety of projects, the community works are about helping street children, elderly people and educating people. We dedicate ourselves to alternative solutions to these problems, to make a difference and create a better world in Ecuador.

Year Founded: 1999