Voluntary Project Overview

This volunteering project in Quito offers the opportunity to understand the local culture and the issues communities here are facing.  You can help at this community centre to teach and care for children whose parents are not able to support them.

The Volunteer Abroad Role

Volunteers abroad will be working closely with children who need a lot of attention and support. You will help teaching English and assisting with activities inlcuding art and crafts, sport or music. The children are aged from 1-7 years so the activities are very diverse and volunteers must be ethusiastic and willing to throw themselvesfully into this role. The children also need help with personal care. They receive 4 meals a day - so there is a lot of cooking and cleaning to be done. Help is also needed in looking after the babies and the young children; changing nappies and washing them.

Other Volunteer Abroad opportunities

This placement requires full commitment as children are in vital need of attention and a strong figure in their lives. Weekends can be free for exploring the area, but the centre does have children 7 days a week if you do want to fully immerse yourself in the project.

Voluntary Programme Requirements/Eligibility Criteria

Experience with children is important for this project as some children come from difficult back grounds. There is a minimum commitment of one month on this placement. Knowledge of Spanish is essential,, we can organise classes in Quito before starting your placement.As you will be immersed in the community, your knowledge of Spanish will of course improve dramatically in a very short time. There is no better way to learn a language than while living in a local community.

Volunteer Accommodation and Living arrangements

Volunteers abroad will live with a local family in central Quito, from here it is a short bus ride to the orphanage. Breakfast and dinner are provided with the family, which is a great way to experience local community life and culture.

There are many activities that can be done in and around Quito. Trekking, mountain biking, and white water rafting are easily organised. Quito itself offers many markets, theatres and supermarkets to pick up some western indulgences. There is a cable car that you can take to Pichincha an active volcano.

What’s included in your Programme Fee?

• Project selection and placement - Our in-country teams work constantly to identify and select projects that are doing exemplary work in developing countries but need your skills and effort. Our staff are in dialogue with you to ensure that we choose a project that really needs you, where you will use your skills and contribute, because at MondoChallenge, we believe that a great volunteering experience is largely dependant on matching you with the right project
• Pre Departure Briefing - Before you leave, we will arrange for a pre departure briefing where we help you with small but extremely helpful details on your chosen destination. Things like: what to pack, local culture and customs, food, safety and precautions if any - simple things to make your life easier!
• Guidance for processing visa - MondoChallenge will arrange for any relevant documents and guide you through the visa process.
• Airport Pick Up - Arriving in a new city and not knowing where to go and how to go can be quite unnerving. A MondoChallenge representative will meet you at the airport and take you to your place of stay where you can put your feet up after a long flight.
• In country Orientation and Welcome Pack - When you arrive in the city, you will be given an orientation where you could meet other volunteers from MondoChallenge, know all about the city, how to find your way around, where to get SIM cards for the phone, small bits that you will need help sorting out in the first few days.
• In Country Support - Our local co-ordinators are there to guide you through out your stay. They will make sure that you are settled at your project, are comfortable with your accommodation and provide guidance on local culture and customs to ensure that you have a memorable and rewarding experience.
• Accommodation - In most cases you stay with a local host family. It gives you a taste of the daily life of a local. You will be sharing a room with another volunteer, however if you prefer to have a single room to yourself, this can be arranged but a cost supplement may apply. If you prefer totally independent accommodation, this may also be possible in certain areas at an additional cost and our Programme Managers will be able to assist you with this.
• Breakfast and Dinner - Local home cooked food, will be provided at the home stays. This gives you a chance to experience local dishes.

Not Included:

• International Flights
• Visa and Travel insurance Costs
• Vaccination
• Local Transport and Travel
• Personal Expenses

Project photos

Testimonials