At the Swimming school of Local Dreamers children of parents, who do not have the possibility to pay for an expensive swimming course, can literally learn to keep their heads above the water at the swimming school of Local Dreamers. On Friday afternoons, we teach them the basic techniques of swimming in the two swimming pools that we rent in the neighborhood of La Arcadia. We take their safety very serious, swimming classes are always joined by a supervisor of Local Dreamers. The Swimming School project is a great joy for both the children as the volunteers. The focus of the classes is on fun, motion and swimming techniques.
Mission
Within the Swimming School project of Local Dreamers we want to offer children from the south of Quito education and movement in a safe surrounding, just like we do at the Soccer School. Besides stimulating development of the children in terms of self-confidence, taking initiative and learning norms and values like respect, discipline and collaboration, in this specific project self-reliance in the water is priority number one.
Vision
By offering education through movement and sports at the Swimming School, Local Dreamers hopes to contribute to the personal and social development of the children of the vulnerable neighbourhoods of South-Quito. Besides that, we want to give the children from the poorer neighbourhoods in Quito the opportunity to learn how to swim.
At the Swimming School you can take the role of manager/project coordinator or as a swimming teacher/assistant to the manager.
What can you expect from us?
As a foundation we already work in Ecuador for a long time. Our team in Quito consists of experienced and passionate coordinators, who know the country and city like the inside of their pocket. Our coordinators are available 24 hours a day, to accompany our volunteers with everything they run into during their stay in Ecuador. Local Dreamers is a very small-scale and personal foundation and we encourage volunteers to get the most out of their time in Ecuador. Everything is possible, even starting your own project, we are open to assist you in any way and are always open for new suggestions and ideas.
As you're going to assist in our sports projects, we expect you to bring some sporty clothes. We always appreciate some donations, think about clothes, pencils or notebooks.
Location
Our central office is located in La Villaflora, a lively working-class district in the heart of Quito. La Villaflora can be seen as the gateway to the less developed south of the city. In addition, the district is also ten minutes away from the historical and tourist center. La Villaflora has best of both worlds, we are based close to our projects in the south of Quito but also close to the more modern center of the city. As a volunteer you will live in host families based around the La Villaflora neighborhood.
Our Swimming School is located in the La Arcadia district, a cozy working-class neighborhood that is slightly less developed than La Villaflora. Every day we depart together from our central office towards the projects in this district.
Spanish course
To be of more added value for our projects, we expect you to take a Spanish course at our foundation, unless you already have a B-1 level in Spanish. You can choose between a Spanish Basic, Intensive or Specialist course. The costs of the Spanish course are not included in the mentioned prices. Feel free to contact us and we will let you know.
Make your decision
In order to make a well-considered decision, it is essential that you are well-informed by our organization. Our Volunteer Coordinator will inform you about everything you need to know. Via Skype, you can meet our team in Quito.
Get ready
Once you have chosen a project, it is important that you are well prepared before you travel. This is not only a welcome relief for you, but for your home front as well. Our team will help you to get ready for the adventure.
Onwards to Ecuador
In Ecuador you will be picked up at the airport by our Quito team; a special mix of Dutch and Ecuadorian professionals, on which you always can rely.
The working environment of Local Dreamers has been the source of special friendships more than once. This is because we tend to hang out and make fun together after work. You´ll get so familiar and close with your fellow volunteers that the ties you have built with them in Ecuador will often continue to exist when you return home.
Former volunteer Sterre de Geus (21) described a day as a swimming teacher for us:
07:45 Alarm goes off, I put on my non-fashionable-but-decent clothes and have desayuno with my host family
08.30 In 10 minutes I walk to the office of Local Dreamers, on the way I take the Metro Newspaper and try to decipher the local and global news
09.00 Working time! All volunteers and interns are at the office and in small teams we start preparing lessons and trainings. Today I have to prepare a swimming lesson. With the help of project bundle of Local Dreamers’ I decide what to practice today.
10.00 Coffee break. Let´s check if there is some news from the home front.
11.00 Spanish lesson. Today Mónica (my Spanish teacher) and I discuss the imperative and my prepared swimming lesson, very effective because I can use it right away😉
13.00 Lunch. Today we try another lunch spot around the office. It will probably be soup, followed by rice with chicken for about $2.00
14.00 Time to take the bus to the South of the city, where the Swimming school is located. Together with fellow volunteers we take a 25 cents bus from the office to the Swimming school.
15.00 The swimming class starts, I´m teaching in the deep bath today. Together with my fellow volunteer we practice floating and the backstroke with our four kids. Between the exercises we play a ballgame with the kids in our bath.
17.00 All kids have left the pool, we decide to play a short game of water polo. Time for a short evaluation of the kids´ progress.
17.45 End of the day. With all other volunteers I take the bus back from the South to our host families. My host mom prepares rice with chicken, while I try to show her my newly learned words.
Feel free to join us in every time of the year, our projects are open during the whole year. We don't have specific arrival days, just search your most ideal flight. Our coordinators are available to welcome you on every day of the week, also during the weekend.
During your time at Local Dreamers you will stay with one of our Ecuadorian host families. They will prepare breakfast and dinner for you. During the weekends they always like to discover more of Ecuador with you. In the weekends you are always free to do what you want. Feel free to discover more of the country. Normally, volunteers go on a trip together to other areas of Ecuador during the weekend. We work together with a travel agency, who offers nice (day)trips to almost every hotspot of Ecuador.
The mentioned costs involve room, board, airport pickup and preperation & guidance as well as a one-time contribution towards the project. The costs of the Spanish course are not included in the above mentioned prices.
When you arrive at airport Mariscal Sucre, our driver José Luis will be waiting for you at the gate. We always provide him with some pictures of you, so he will for sure recognize you. Together with José Luis you will make an one-hour drive to our office in La Villaflora. At the office, one of our coordinators will welcome you and show you arround in the neighborhood. After a little small talk we will drive you to your host family, where you have all the time to recover from your flight.
During your time at Local Dreamers you will stay at one of our Ecuadorian host families. All families live close to our main office, around maximum 15 minutes by bus. Your family provides a daily breakfast and dinner, which are included in the price. All host families have private bedrooms for our volunteers and all bathrooms have hot showers. Also all host families have wifi access in their houses.
Our host families provide a daily breakfast and dinner, which is included in the price. All our families are happy to introduce you to the Ecuadorian cuisine, and will provide you with varied meals. In the evening they prepare a warm meal, with plenty of vegetables and meat. They also like to take into account any allergies or vegetarian requirements, please let us know during your application.
At the office we provide drinking water, coffee and tea. Lunch will be for your own costs.
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