The Soccer School serves as a safe shelter for children of La Arcadia, a neighborhood in the South of Quito. All children from the age group of 6 – 17 are welcome, no matter their gender, social background or economic situation. Although the name Soccer School (in Spanish: Escuela de Fútbol) suggests that the school is only meant for playing soccer, we also want to introduce other sports like handball, athletics and frisbee to the children.
The group, which contains about 70 children, is divided in several recreational groups and one performance group. While having fun is the most important goal in all the groups, at the recreational groups the focus is on ‘learning as you play’, and at the performance group the focus is on technique, tactics, condition and discipline. For all groups applies that we value norms and values such as respect, working together and discipline. That is, in our opinion, much more important than educating new Messi’s. By moving, having fun and learning how to play in a team we try to prevent children and teenagers to resort to alcohol, drugs and criminality, which unfortunately are structural problems in the predominantly poor neighborhoods in South Quito.
Mission
Within the Soccer School project we want to offer the children of La Arcadia and surrounding areas the possibility to education, movement and fun in a safe environment. The element of practicing soccer on a top- (professional) level is not the central element, while the stimulation and development of the children in areas such as self-confidence and taking initiative, and teaching and developing norms and values such as respect, discipline and cooperation are important.
Vision
By offering education through sports and movement at the Soccer School, Local Dreamers hopes to add to the personal and social development of children in vulnerable neighbourhoods in South Quito. Above all, through sport and play we aim to offer an alternative to the abuse of alcohol and drugs, and criminal behaviour which are some of the – addictive – problems that occur (too) much in these neighbourhoods.
At the Soccer School, you can take the role of manager/project coordinator or as a trainer. You will work on the following tasks:
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.
What we expect from you?
As a volunteer we expect you to take a Spanish course, 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 above mentioned prices. Feel free to contact us and we will let you know.
Location
Our Soccer School is located in the south of Quito, the capital city of Ecuador, in the neighborhood La Arcadia. 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 Soccer 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.
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 soccer trainer 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 my fellow trainer and I have to prepare the soccer training for the 5-8 boys group. With the help of Local Dreamers’ own soccer application we prepare some fun exercises for this afternoon’s training.
10.00 Coffee break. Let´s check if there is some news from the home front
11.00 Spanish lesson. Today Paulina (my Spanish teacher) and I discuss the imperative and my prepared soccer training, 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 Soccer School is located. Together with fellow volunteers we take a 25 cents bus from the office to the soccer field.
15.00 The soccer training starts, today my fellow volunteer and I have to train the 5-8 boys group. An active but very enthusiastic group. After some different exercises we finish the training with a traditional game.
17.00 All the young kids have left the soccer field. We decide to play a soccer match with the volunteers against the oldest kids of our Soccer School, strengthened with our Ecuadorian trainers Andrés and Ariel. After an exciting game, Team Ecuador won by a penalty in the ultimate seconds..
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.
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.
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.
This program is paused due to COVID-19
Trainer at a Soccer School
Practice sports with the kids of our Soccer School. The project serves as a safe place to play for children in the age of 6-15. Everyone is welcome.
$195/week
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