Community Work with Children in the Galapagos Islands

  Ecuador

• Galapagos Islands: 
Galapagos Islands

Durations of Program: 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Description: The Galapagos Islands lie 1000 miles off the coast of Ecuador, but it feels like a million. The islands' isolation has produced a natural world like nowhere else on Earth. They are a wonderful place to visit, with picturesque ports lined with sailboats, a countryside filled with wildlife and locals armed with a welcoming smile for every traveller. The Galapagos Islands attract a lot of tourists and it's therefore extremely important for the children of the islands to learn English, so they can find work locally. The public kindergartens rely on volunteers help because they lack the financial or human resources to hire enough teachers.

Project details:
This is a publicly funded project that works with children mainly aged 4 to 5 years old. The project works with 4 different kindergartens on the Santa Cruz Island in the Galapagos Islands. There are five staff in the programme and 4 teachers who work in the different schools. This is a great opportunity for volunteers to make a positive impact on the children's education as well as volunteer in one of the world's most precious habitats. Please note that one of the projects that we work with is for female volunteers only.

Why the projects need volunteers:
This project is funded by the national government but lacks the funds to hire staff and buy resources. Volunteers play an important role in brightening and improving the lives of these island children.

Highlights:
* Helping raise the level of English language of the community on these incredible islands
* Being part of the community - rather than just another visitor!
* Exploring the islands during your time off

Qualifications: What kind of skills you need to go on this type of project:
You need to really enjoy working with children, be patient, determined, imaginative and compassionate! It can be emotionally draining at times, but ultimately extremely rewarding. It would help if you are reasonably independent as this project is quite isolated, and conditions are basic. Also, the more Spanish you know, the better you will get on, as the children do not speak English.

Your role as a volunteer:
These projects offer participants a great chance to have a positive influence on young children's lives. The activities will vary and you will generally provide a welcome assistance to the teacher along with assisting in general school activities. You may even get involved in the weekly staff meetings - depending on how good your Spanish is! Note: A love for children is needed for this project, especially given their liveliness! This is working with young children so you may need to help with feeding and cleaning, and you should also be prepared to get dirty at times.

Cost in US$: USD 2195.00 for 4 weeks, USD 330.00 for every week thereafter

* Accommodation: Shared room in homestay
* Food: All meals
* Airport Pickup: Included on arrival date. Ask us for details if you're arriving early!
* Training: In-country orientation
* Support: Pre-departure helpdesk, Local in-country team and 24hr emergency support

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: 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