Ecuador Volunteer Placement

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito
• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands
• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
San Cristobal,  Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: Throughout the Year

Description: Programs:

* Teaching English

Similar to other Latin American nations, Spanish is the official language of Ecuador. However, in recent times, with the onset of globalization and increasing tourism there has been an increased demand from local people to be taught English by fluent foreigners.

Many of the people who volunteers teach have only very basic English skills, therefore it is a requirement for volunteers to have at least a beginner-basic level of Spanish to teach on this program. Naturally a volunteer's Spanish will improve over the course of their volunteering but it is highly recommended that the volunteer take advantage of the Spanish lessons offered by our program staff in Ecuador.

* Street Children Work

For many children in Ecuador, school is simply not an option - as they work the streets with their parents to help support the family and survive. Every day, 365 days of the year, these children work the streets of Quito with their parents, selling goods and performing to make a living. The Street Children Program in Ecuador focuses on giving these children some enjoyment in their lives.

Work consists of taking basic school lessons, playing with the children, providing medical support for them, and introducing them to activities (such as painting) which they would never otherwise have a chance to do. Volunteers working on the Street Children program need to have beginner-to-basic Spanish to participate effectively in this program.

Highlights: MICATZ partner NGO in Ecuador desperately needs volunteers NOW! MICATZ has a wide range of volunteering opportunities available teaching English, working with street children, school support programs, and summer projects in the Ecuadorian city of Quito and suburban Quito.

Also the Galapagos Islands need volunteers for English tuition for young people at college level (aged 12-16), for daycare centers (aged 1-5), or at a home for handicapped children. The voluntary work takes place on San Cristobel and Santa Cruz which are the only populated islands in the national park.

MICATZ has volunteer placements in Quito and suburban / rural Quito, approximately 50 minutes out of the city. Quito, the capital of Ecuador is nestled high in the Andes and considered by many to be one of the most beautiful cities in South America. Despite this aesthetic beauty, there is a great need for volunteers to assist with the development of this city and its communities.

Start & Duration of Ecuador Volunteer Programs:

Volunteers can begin our Ecuadorian placements whenever they wish. Our staff in Ecuador are extremely flexible, allowing us to accept volunteers 365 days a year! Volunteers can choose to volunteer for periods of one week to six months.

Qualifications: Language Requirements:

If a volunteer wishes to stay for a period of more than two weeks, and their Spanish is not fluent then it is compulsory to take at least a 20 hour Spanish course with our program partner in Ecuador. Furthermore, we recommend that even two week volunteers participate in Spanish Language classes, regardless of their Spanish language ability (unless they are extremely fluent).

It is expected that all volunteers should have at least some basic Spanish before they arrive in Ecuador. If you have no Spanish, it would be advisable to take some Spanish lessons before you depart to give you some basic Spanish from which to build on when you arrive in Quito.

* For English Teaching:
Volunteers DO NOT need to be a qualified or experienced teacher.

Minimum Education: High School

Cost in US$: Contact us for more info.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other

Post-Program Services Include:

• Exit Debriefing Abroad

Maasai International Challenge Africa (MICA)'s Mission Statement: MICATZ promotes local organizations by making donations and sending volunteers to different destination around Africa, Asia and Latin America states. Our volunteers are active community workers. They support the programs and activities of partner organizations by undertaking a variety of jobs and responsibilities such as working in orphanages, teaching English in Primary schools and in Secondary Schools, Teaching life skills, working as community health workers or assisting administratively.