Ecuador Projects
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Volunteer with Street Children in Ecuador
Do you want to make a difference in the lives of disadvantaged children living on the streets of Quito, Ecuador? Have you always dreamed of traveling abroad while making a difference? Then this opportunity to work with street children is just what you’re looking for!
Quito, Ecuador is the capital city of Ecuador and is located on the east slope of the active volcano Pinchinche. An architectural treasure with beautiful colonial buildings, Quito has the most well-preserved historic center in the Americas and offers a wealth of museums and historical sites to explore.
Over half of Ecuador’s people live in poverty, and the children suffer the most. Unlike many countries, a free public-school education is not required for all children and as a result many poor kids cannot afford to go to school. They resort to working and selling trinkets on the side of the road to try and earn the money they need to educate themselves, falling into the rough life on the streets and all its perils, which include crime, drugs, and exploitation.
IFRE teams up with local organizations working to get these kids off the street, offer them a safe place to live, and provide them with the quality education they deserve. Join our Ecuador Street Children Volunteer Program and volunteer your time helping turn the lives of these kids around and offer them the help they desperately need.
You will provide hope and compassion to the poor street children of Quito and help reintegrate them into society following their challenging upbringing. Feel great knowing you are spending your time helping where it is needed most.
Do you want to create a better life for street children and save them from a life of crime? Then contact IFRE today to learn more about volunteering in Ecuador!
Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.
Volunteer Responsibilities & Impact
At our Ecuador Street Children volunteer program, you will be helping care for kids who have been saved from a life of struggle on the streets. Help them reintegrate and learn valuable life skills and develop a positive approach to life, giving them a chance for a better and happier future.
You will provide basic care, educate the kids on basic hygiene, help serve them food, teach them in a variety of subjects including English and computer skills, help them with their homework, and engage the children in fun extracurricular activities.
The compassion and care you show as a volunteer to the poor street children of will make a huge impact on their lives. When you travel across the world just to help them, this shows them they deserve attention and love and they will start to believe in themselves. Help kids in need find hope for a better future.
Skills and Qualifications:
Anyone over the age of 18 who wants to make a difference in the lives of street children in need and has a deep love and passion for kids is welcome to join this Ecuador volunteer project. Those who have a background in child psychology or working with at-risk children will have a distinct advantage and be able to make even more of a difference.
Beginner to intermediate knowledge of Spanish is preferred, but not required. If you cannot speak Spanish, we suggest you enroll in our Spanish language course to make your stay more rewarding – both for you and for the children you are helping.
Keep in mind these kids have been living on the streets and have led very difficult and challenging lives. They may exhibit really troubled behavior, and you will need a lot of patience and compassion to work with them.
Working with street children in Ecuador is sure to be an amazing experience and each and every day will be filled with fun and excitement as you get close to these amazing kids.
Volunteering abroad is not a one size fits all endeavor, and you should expect a wide range of activities and be open to a flexible schedule. Your schedule will also be dependent on your particular placement, which is hand selected for you by our in-country coordinator. To give you a rough idea of what you can expect, we have prepared this sample schedule.
First Day: On your first day in Ecuador volunteering with street children, our in-country coordinator will bring you to your project site and introduce you to the hard-working team who is providing a safe home, food, and education to these poor kids in need. You’ll get the chance to finally meet the kids you are working with!
We’ll give you an informative training session, telling you all about your project work, your daily schedule, safety measures, and the customs and culture of Ecuador.Weekdays: Your work with the kids begins on the second day, and atypical volunteer day is as follows:
7.00 to 7.30 AM: Enjoy a traditional Ecuadorian breakfast with your host family.
7.45 AM: Head out for an exciting day volunteering with Ecuador street children.
12.00 PM: Break for lunchand you can use this time to bond with your fellow international volunteers and the local project staff.
3.00 PM: At the end of your workday, you’ll be free to relax and explore the historical city of Cordoba.
6.45 PM: A traditional dinner with your welcoming host family rounds out your day and is a fantastic opportunity to experience the culture and authentic experience of Ecuador.
Volunteer in Ecuador with Street Children : Dates and Fees
Program Dates
IFRE programs begin every Monday year-round. If you have travel constraints, you can still start your chosen program on any day of the year.
Our Fees
Since 2006, IFRE has been the most trusted and respected volunteer abroad organization in the world, and also the most affordable. We’re dedicated to providing the highest quality volunteer programs at the lowest fees, which make it possible for everyone, especially students, to volunteer internationally and make a positive impact in the lives of others.
We believe in 100% transparency. Rest assured, we never use middlemen. Your one-time registration fee of $299 covers our administrative costs. The low weekly fee is paid in the host country directly to your host family and project (via country coordinator), and includes housing, food, and minor expenses. IFRE is a non-profit organization, so your program fees are tax deductible.
Volunteer Program Fees (US$)
| Weeks | Street Children |
|---|---|
| 1 Week | $345 |
| 2 Weeks | $590 |
| 3 Weeks | $835 |
| 4 Weeks | $1080 |
| 5 Weeks | $1,325 |
| 6 Weeks | $1,570 |
| 7 Weeks | $1,815 |
| 8 Weeks | $2,060 |
| 9 Weeks | $2,305 |
| 10 Weeks | $2,550 |
| 11 Weeks | $2,795 |
| 12 Weeks | $3,040 |
Comprehensive Travel Insurance $3.49/day ( below 28 years) and $4.49/day ( above 28 years)
Program Fees Cover:
- Accommodation (host family)
- Food (only breakfast and dinnery)
- Program Orientation
- In-country support
- Personalized project
- Pre-departure information
- Certificate of completion
- Fundraising ideas and letters
- Discount for returning volunteers
Program Fees Exclude:
- Visas
- Airfare
- Airfare Galapagos
- Personal expenses on soft drinks and foods
- Daily transportation
- Airport return transfer
- Food (if you are volunteering on the Galapagos Islands); Please allot $60-$70 a week to cover the cost of your meals
The volunteering programs in Ecuador fees will cover expenses that will begin on the first day of the program (usually the first or third Monday of the month) to the last day of the program. If you arrive before the first day of the program or you decide you stay beyond your program’s last day, you will be responsible for the additional expenses, which would typically be around $30 a day for room and meals at a hostel
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Accommodation and Meal
While volunteering in Ecuador you will have the enriching opportunity to stay with one of our local host families. You will be welcomed into their safe and secure home, and they will share three traditional meals a day with you. An awesome chance to get immersed in the local culture, our host families will ensure you have an amazing time abroad.
Learn more out your accommodations and meals while volunteering in Ecuador.
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Free Time and Weekend Exploration
All of our Ecuador volunteer projectsare located in and around Cordoba, a colonial city with a fascinating heritage and historical architecture. Its also a good jumping off point to explore other exciting areas of this South American destination. You’ll have evenings and weekends free, so you’ll have plenty of time to get out and see what Ecuador has to offer!
Discover what to do in your free time while volunteering in Ecuador.
Safety and in Country Support
Nothing is more important to IFRE than your safety. Since 2006, we’ve helped over 22,000 volunteers have secure, successful and meaningful volunteer trips abroad, so we have the experience and connectionsto make sure you have the best possible experience traveling with us. You’ll also have the guidance and support of our professional and dedicated in-country staff available to you 24/7.
Learn more about the stellar safety and in-country support we offer you as a volunteer.
Take a minute to complete the form and we will be in touch.
Volunteer in Ecuador with Street Children :FAQ
One thing you should know is that IFRE helps guide you every step of the way throughout the volunteer process. Here are a few details to keep in mind when traveling with us:
Arrival and departure
Quito International Airport is the designated point of arrival for you when joining our street children volunteer program in Ecuador. As soon as you book your flight, send the itinerary along to our in-country coordinator and they’ll be happy to set up your airport pick-up. Our local representative will be there waiting for you when you land with a sign with your name on it, and they’ll take you to your accommodation.
We don’t offer airport drop-off service to our volunteers, so you’ll need to budget for this extra expense. The local project staff will be happy to help you set up a taxi to the airport when you are ready to leave.
Visa
You may or may not need to apply for a visa in advance of your trip to volunteer in Ecuador, depending on your nationality. Be sure to research the requirements ahead of time based on your home country. You may be able to get an automatic 90 days when you arrive at the airport. Citizens of most European countries (excluding France), Canada, and the USA don’t need a visa in advance to enter in Ecuador. If you do need a visa in advance, you can apply at the local embassy in your home country before travel.
You can also extend your tourist visa with a short visit to the office of Immigration Department in Quito city. Just don’t forget to bring your original passport and a couple of photos for submission. Feel free to reach out to our in-country coordinator if you need advice on this matter.
Check out this website if you want to learn in detail about Ecuadorian visa requirements and policies.
Vaccination
When working with street children living in poor communities that may not have access to quality healthcare getting vaccinated is a must.
Vaccinations for meningitis, Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), yellow fever, polio, hepatitis B, hepatitis A, influenza, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), typhoid, rabies, shingles, pneumonia, and chickenpox are recommended. Meet with your doctor to discuss all this.
You can learn more about these vaccinations here
Other relevant information:
The placement is located in the suburbs of Quito and is ideal for a volunteer who is looking for a rewarding placement working with children in need.
Why volunteer with street children in Ecuador?
Volunteering with street kids is a great experience both for you and those you help, and you will get to fulfill your passion for children and see an amazing country at the same time.
Provides you with a sense of purpose
At this impactful project you will derive a strong sense of purpose. You will work hard to make the lives of the street children better without thought of yourself. When you work at a worthy cause and make a difference, you will gain a new focus and drive which will radiate out to other aspects of your life.
Contribute in molding the future of the street children and the country
Help poor street children in Ecuador rise above their struggle and go on to become positive, productive citizens of their community. The future of Ecuador depends on the future of its children, and you can help shape a better future, one a child at a time.
Promote personal empowerment amongst kids
Street children have lacked access to learning valuable skills and gaining knowledge that will help them live successful lives and rise above their troubled beginnings. By teaching children skills at this Ecuador volunteer project and encouraging them to try their best and work to improve themselves, they will gain a sense of personal empowerment and be able to move forward in life more confidently.
Connect with like-minded humanitarians
IFRE teams up with local organizations that have saved children from the streets and are offering them a safe place to live and the chance to get the education and social development they so desperately need. You’ll work side by side with these dedicated humanitarians, as well as connecting with other like-minded international volunteers who have come from around the world just like you to work together in the same worthy cause.
Contact IFRE today to learn more about volunteering in Ecuador!
Explore our other volunteer projects in Ecuador!
In addition to our street children project, we also have a variety of other amazing and impactful programs available in Ecuador you might be interested in. You can
help with conservation in the Galapagos or Andes, and much more.
If you are traveling with a group, we offer a variety of group programs for high school and college students and families.
Other Street Children Volunteer Opportunities Worldwide
There are children languishing on the streets of many different countries. IFRE aims to end this horrible reality by offering programs designed to nurture these kids all across the world. Below you can find a list of our most popular projects in this vein:
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