Be a Volunteer and Enjoy the Ecuadorian Culture

  Ecuador

Bahia de Caraquez,  Canoa

Length of Position: minimun 1 month until 3 month
Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Dates: April to January

Description: The Genesis of Ecuador Foundation (GEF) is a non-profit organization created to give less fortunate and poverty stricken children a better level of education. This foundation believes strongly that education is the key to escaping a poverty that has been the reality of the families of these children for many generations. This program was founded with the mission of offering free education to those most in need. These children have no chance of being educated and without education they have no future. In Ecuador only 60% of children go to school. Of those 60% only 20% finish their education. The children who most benefit from this program come from very poor conditions. Their parents have no money and work as shoe shiners or selling candy and cannot pay for their childrens education and therefore the children forsake their education, their future, in order to make a living. Thanks to the Genesis of Ecuador Foundation and its volunteers, during the last ten years this has drastically changed in Bahia de Caraquez.

Volunteers receive a week of fully supervised in-class training to learn how to maximize their teaching throughout the program's schools. This training prepares the volunteer to work with children and to make the most of the time the volunteer spends teaching.

The mornings are spent teaching, between 7:20 and 1:20, in the afternoon the volunteer is free to do what he/she wants. The instruction consists of two classes daily in 40-minute blocks per day, from Monday to Thursday, Fridays are optional. This gives you the flexibility to take long weekends to explore the local coastline. The classes have 15 to 20 children per class who have a basic knowledge of English. The volunteer is responsible for following a plan made to facilitate teaching. The volunteer always has the help of the instructor for the grade. The volunteer is not alone in preparing and teaching the classes untill he or she feels ready.. Once a week the volunteers meet with the English teacher to talk about the progress of students, what can be done to make the classes better, troubleshooting, and ideas for the upcoming week.

Qualifications: No teaching experience is necessary, any special talents you feel you can bring to the school will be greatly appreciated, i.e., arts, music and sports. You could be working at any of 6 schools in our program, or if you wish all 3. Your schedule can be as busy or free as you wish. There are opportunities to work more independently.

The minimum time to participate is 4 weeks.

Cost in US$: 1290, 4 weeks

Experience Required: no

Age Range: 18

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Resume
• Written Application

Post Services Include:

• Job and Internship Network

Children of Ecuador Program's Mission Statement: Children of Ecuador is a is a non-profit organization created to raise the level of education of Ecuadorian children. This program was founded in 1999 as Genesis Volunteer Program with the mission of offering free education to the children most in need. These children have no chance of being educated and without education they have no future. In Ecuador only 60% of children go to school. Of those 60% only 20% finish their education. The children who most benefit from this program are living in very poor conditions. For each volunteer's participation one child has the opportunity to study free for three months.

Year Founded: 1999