Help Children from Indigenous Communities

This volunteer project in Quito is aimed at local low-income families. Hoping to create a better future for themselves and their children, families from indigenous communities sought refuge in Ecuador's capital. Unfortunately, this goal is often still a distant dream and the lives of many families in the state capital have worsened. Many parents work full-time in markets outside the city center and can not provide all-day care for their children. So that the infants and children (0-6 years) are not left unattended on the market premises or at home or even on the street, there are loving and caring day care center to take care of these children.

The main purpose of the facilities is to ensure that the children's physiological, psychological and educational needs are met. The local caregivers get involved every day to create a friendly and caring environment despite the lack of resources and staff. Helping hands are always needed to provide the children with sufficient care.

Many volunteers are especially touched by the simple circumstances that children come from, who often just need a hug and a little bit of attention to be happy. Be aware that in this project you also come into contact with difficult family situations. Nevertheless, or just because of that, volunteering with children can be very fulfilling. Sometimes you do not have to give much to open their little heart and get back her sincere thanks. Get involved with children from difficult circumstances and bring happiness into their everyday life with your love.

Note: Volunteers are requested to bring games or learning materials if possible. It is not important that these are particularly expensive, but rather it is about providing the children with more alternatives to existing learning material and give them distraction. In Quito you can buy games or handicraft material at low prices.

You will be assigned to a daycare center in Quito, where you will help with daily tasks. As part of the staff, you take care of the children and organize activities. You play, paint and sing songs with them; teach basic mathematics such as simple arithmetic; train them in hygiene and give them other important skills and abilities. Since physical activity is especially important for development, organizing and conducting sports, gymnastics, and outdoor activities is also part of your job. Inside the facility, you will help feed the youngest and maintain the facilities.

For this project, it is particularly important that you bring initiative and creativity to make the day-to-day life of the day care center stimulating with new, animating games and activities.

The volunteer project aims to give the children not only the care they need, but also teach them values ​​such as respect, tolerance and charity, as well as illustrating the benefits of learning. So, always be respectful and responsible, and be aware of your role model for the children.

Your working hours are flexible and you discuss your "work plan" directly on site with the day care center and the volunteer coordinators in Quito. Please keep in mind that the funds of the day care center are limited and they count on your help.

With its rich pre-Columbian history, the capital of Ecuador was founded on the ruins of an Inca city, and nowadays offers everything a modern traveler may need. Quito remains one of the best preserved historic city centers in Latin America and UNESCO declared it a world heritage site. This huge city stretches over a fabulous Andean valley surrounded by volcanic peaks. Among its streets, you can find 40 churches and chapels, 16 convents and monasteries with their respective cloisters, 17 squares, 12 convent and refractory courtyards, 12 museums and innumerable beautiful patios.

Just 33 kilometers north of Quito is the Middle of the World, the place with the line that divides the planet earth in the northern and southern hemisphere.

Further north, an hour's drive from Quito, is Otavalo, the largest indigenous market in the world. To the south, about a hundred kilometers away, you can visit Latacunga and the Cotopaxi National Park, with the very high volcano of the same name. Further south the cities of Ambato and Baños are worth a visit, with the spectacular view of the Tungurahua volcano, which can be climbed to the top. Especially Baños is real fun place to visit due to countless of sports and adrenaline activities.