Overview
Childcare Volunteering Program in Ecuador

The volunteers taking part in this project will be working with children from 4 years of age and upwards. Volunteers will plan and teach classes to support the children through the early years of their educational lives, to teach basic literacy and education. The classes volunteers plan and deliver are informal, focusing on fun and interaction aimed at helping them learn a range of different activities. Although often challenging, working with young children is a rewarding experience and every day is full of laughter and fun.

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The children love having volunteers working with them and thrive on the extra help and attention – it is amazing the difference one volunteer can make.

Tracey Lumsden, Project Manager

What Difference Does This Project Make?

With just one or two teachers per school, the volunteers’ teaching presence allows the children more opportunity to receive help in their education. Having a volunteer planning and teaching lessons, dedicated to a grade in the school at an early stage in the childrens’ education is of great benefit. A substantial part of the fee goes towards the day-to-day running costs of the projects themselves throughout the year, including daily transport, food subsidies for the school meals and fruit for the children (sometimes their only meal of the day), educational materials for classes, painting and maintenance.

Highlights

Living in the heart of the community in Otavalo; working with indigenous children; learning Spanish (optional); adventure side trips, cultural workshops and excursions, amazing community interaction.

Location

Nestling high in the Andes, a few hours from Ecuador's capital city, volunteers stay in the town of Otavalo. This market town is famous for its handicraft market and indigenous Andean community, and is a popular destination for visitors to the country. The town has many amenities including the Spanish school, internet access, bars and restaurants. Volunteers work either within communities situated about a one hour minivan ride up from Otavalo, up in the mountains or a short bus ride and a half hour hike.

Field Conditions

Living with local families in Otavalo in comfortable accommodation allows for an enriching cultural experience and the valuable opportunity to practice Spanish! You will have your own private room, with hot water and three meals a day provided. The food is very typical of the area, being varied and including meats and plenty of vegetables and fruits. Vegetarians are also well catered for. Travel upgrades are available on this project see dates and costs for more information.