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Program Info

This volunteer project in Ecuador was set up to care for children,elderley,deaf from low-income indigenous families who moved to Quito looking for a better style of life and ended up having the same situation or worse that in their communities. The parents have to work full-time in the market outside of this center and cannot take care of their children during the day. To avoid leaving the children on the market or unattended at home or on the streets, the Day Care Centers offer children a safe and caring place. Volunteers are placed in different day care centers that all belong to an initiative of the City’s Development Center. It is a great way to help people in difficult economic situations. The children at the centers range from infant to 3 years old.

The project’s main objective is to offer these children comprehensive and supportive daycare, assuring that there educational, nutritional, and psychological needs are met. Despite the lack of resources, including didactic material, the institution has managed to create a friendly and caring environment for the children to be happy and do something productive throughout the day.

If you love children and wish to contribute to their well-being you are looking in the right place! This is your chance to make a real difference in the lives of Ecuadorian children from low income families. We are sure these innocent children will always be with you in your heart and mind!

Work Tasks

Working with children is one of most fulfilling jobs. Volunteers at the day care center help with the daily chores like cleaning, helping to feed the children, teaching them songs, and teaching basic math like counting, teaching them about hygiene and other important skills. Sports, recreational and outdoor activities are also a big part of their job. The volunteer will have the chance to interact with the kids by organizing games, manual activities and other things to keep them busy. Being initiative and creative is an important skill to have in this kind of work. Most of the volunteers are touched by the simplicity and humility of these children, who are often happy just to have a hug and attention.

The work schedule is flexible and will be set between you, the center and our volunteer coordinator in Quito. Thus volunteers will have the chance to make the most of their time. Please keep in mind that the center’s resources are limited. It is important you know that 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 instill in children important values such as care, respect and love for learning. You will experience the unconditional love that children can give and the pure happiness they show when they see you each and every day.

If possible, volunteers can bring some materials for the children to work with (plays, didactical material, etc). It does not have to be expensive and no matter what it is, it will help immensely and give the children more alternatives for activities. Any material can be found at very low prices within the city of Quito.

We have 4 daycare centers in Quito depending on the hands needed we would choose wot which one of the following location you would participate in:

• San Roque Neighboorhood.
• El Tejar Neighboorhood
• Quito Sur Neighboorhood
• La Mena Neighboorhood

All of them have a number of kids that go between 60 to 80 kids divided into ages groups 1 / 1 ½ /2 and 3 years old.  All of them coming from families who need help.

More Tasks 

The volunteer activities are organized in base of the main activity of each week, for instance if your main activity during the first week is helping the local women in the local handicrafts factory then the rest of the time you will also have to join your host family in their daily agricultural activities and if your main interest is helping in the local school to teach you might have 2 or 3 different activities every week where you will be responsible for your attendance.

The families work very hard every day in order to get what they need for each day and week to eat and live and you will be part of this daily style of life while you learn and also teach something that you know to them by doing so you will also be part of this development that they have been doing all this time.

The tasks are mainly focused in the teaching area, groups are very small 4 member per group divided into their special needs like a group who manage the signs language because they can’t speak and listen or the groups of kids who can’t see (natural blindness), volunteers will assist in the classes in their daily activities.

The volunteer activities are organized in base of the main activity of each week, for instance if your main activity during the first week is helping the local women in the local handicrafts factory then the rest of the time you will also have to join your host family in their daily agricultural activities and if your main interest is helping in the local school to teach you might have 2 or 3 different activities every week where you will be responsible for your attendance.

Working with deaf people work tasks

The tasks are mainly focused in the teaching area, groups are very small 4 member per group divided into their special needs like a group who manage the signs language because they can’t speak and listen or the groups of kids who can’t see (natural blindness), volunteers will assist in the classes in their daily activities.

The families work very hard every day in order to get what they need for each day and week to eat and live and you will be part of this daily style of life while you learn and also teach something that you know to them by doing so you will also be part of this development that they have been doing all this time.