As a childcare volunteer in Ecuador, you will provide additional support to childcare projects within the city of Quito. Not only this, Ecuador's volunteer programs provide a great foundation to improve your Spanish. Provide a helping hand for the children and local staff. Plan activities and games, help with meal times and be sure to improve your Spanish as you volunteer with children in Ecuador.
BACKGROUND TO THE CHILDCARE PROGRAM
In Ecuador, children attend kindergartens typically from 1-4 years old. The facilities often lack basic resources and are usually overcrowded. There is a limited number of local staff supervising high numbers of children. The children who attend the project each day are typically from more disadvantaged communities in Quito.
Subsequently, each child may not get the best start in their early childhood. The presence of a volunteer at a kindergarten can provide much needed support and engagement for children. In turn, this builds their confidence and early years development. Working alongside local staff will help give children the skills they need to thrive during their early years.
Some children also face extra challenges and have additional needs in Ecuador. Children with disabilities face many barriers within and outside the Ecuadorian education system. Lack of awareness and limited access to resources have left many disabled children in Ecuador without the care many desperately need. For children with disabilities, participants can play an essential role in working at a one to one level and supporting with occupational therapy activities. Supporting these projects can be challenging, but equally varied and rewarding.
Volunteer opportunities in Ecuador will provide you with a platform to make a positive impact. When working at our childcare volunteer abroad projects in Ecuador, it is important to maintain energy, enthusiasm and creativity. For the reason that many of these children will be seeking the care and attention that you as a childcare volunteer in Ecuador can bring. To volunteer with children in Ecuador, you will need to donate your time and skills effectively. This is to ensure you can maximise your impact on the local people. If you need motivation for gap year volunteering, then our projects in Ecuador provide some fantastic options.
CHILDCARE VOLUNTEER PLACEMENT EXAMPLES
La Bota Kindergarten - The centre hosts more than 40 children aged from 1-4 years old. At La Bota Kindergarten, there are 3 groups of children and their daily activities depend on their age. Volunteers at the daycare centre can help by creating recreational activities for the children and organising games. Additionally, participants can teach about hygiene, read stories, play music and sing songs.
As you participate in the project, you will make fast bonds with the children. Therefore, you must commit to the project for your whole time in Ecuador and plan for each day accordingly. The project runs across the day, but volunteers will usually join in the morning. Usually, this is for 4 hours before the children take their afternoon nap. There are usually 1-2 local staff members in each classroom for volunteer support. Participants can also help the local staff with snacks and breakfast time.
Working with children is one of the most fulfilling jobs. The volunteers will have the chance to interact with the kids in a variety of ways. Taking the initiative and applying creativity is an important skill to have in this kind of work. As you complete volunteer work in Ecuador at this project, you will play a key role in supporting the more limited local support team. Please keep in mind that the centre’s resources are limited. It is important that you know you may have to face adverse situations. Please be respectful and responsible in your work, keep in mind you are a role model for these children! This volunteer project aims to instil in children important values such as care, respect and love for learning.
Horse Therapy Project - This inspiring initiative was created in 1993 and provides an alternative form of therapy for children with disabilities. This is a relatively new but increasingly popular rehabilitation method for treating both mentally and physically disabled people. This project has the overall aim of improving coordination, rhythm, orientation and balance of the children who attend.
The physical presence of horses has a positive effect on the children’s mindset. The production of alpha waves is stimulated by the children riding the horses and this allows them to relax at the same time. It also provides a distraction for children who can often be in pain or suffering some form of depression.
Volunteers play a vital role in the day-to-day running of this project. They help the local staff with the general maintenance of the horses including feeding, walking, and ensuring they are suitably saddled and bridled. Volunteers also assist with the therapy sessions with the children and working with their parents at the project.
OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER WORKING WITH CHILDREN IN ECUADOR
Spanish Requirements - For the childcare program in Ecuador, we recommend that you speak a reasonable level of Spanish prior to your trip. There are no specific language requirements in order to join the program and you can join as an absolute beginner. However, we find that the ability to speak a good level of the Spanish language and a passion to learn more will greatly enhance your overall experience. This is because English is generally not widely spoken and therefore our programs should be viewed as a broader language immersion experience. If you do not speak a reasonable level of Spanish then you will find it difficult to communicate. As a result, this could lead to a more frustrating experience.
We also offer Online Spanish Lessons that you can take before your trip. The lessons provide you with the opportunity to receive one-on-one classes from a trained Spanish teacher. Classes are held via Zoom and can be worked around your schedule back in your home country.
We also offer a learn Spanish in Ecuador program which you can take part in prior to your volunteer placement. This provides you with 20 hours-per-week of group Spanish lessons. Both of these options can be added during our online application process. They are highly recommended if you want to make the most of your volunteer placement.
Once you are in-country then you are also able to organise additional Spanish lessons directly with our local team. Volunteer feedback suggests that it can often be tiring to complete Spanish lessons at the same time as your volunteer programs in Ecuador. Consequently, we generally recommend extending your Language Immersion Program.
Project Requirements - Ecuador is definitely a destination that needs your time. The projects that you are joining will be schools, nurseries and hospitals. They require your project commitment and as a result, all participants are expected at the project Monday-Friday. Some projects are walking distance and other projects will require public transportation.
There is an option to miss a maximum of 3 days and go to the Amazon or the Galapagos Islands. However, this will need to be arranged in advance. If volunteers are ill, this will require notification in the morning. Furthermore, the request from the project is that they are provided with a doctors note. The team will explain further the expectation of the coordinators and projects during orientation.
Placement Settings - We do not provide volunteer opportunities in orphanages in any of our locations. Research and studies have shown that visiting and volunteering in orphanages has the potential to generate an industry that separates children from their families. In turn, putting children at increased risk of neglect and abuse. Therefore, we do not support these institutions with our volunteer network.
Instead, we focus on offering alternative childcare volunteer opportunities whereby children come to and from the placement setting each day. In other words, our local teams collaborate with childcare projects which do not offer any form of residential care. These are safe, responsible, and vetted projects, where participants continue to provide valued assistance supporting local staff.
Weekends - Your project work in Ecuador runs from Monday-Friday and weekends are free. You are welcome to relax and hang out at the volunteer accommodation but most participants will use this time to travel and explore the country. As a result, you can check out our Ecuador Weekend Travel Guide for top tips on how to spend your weekend.
