Updated on: 24/Mar/09

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

STREET CHILDREN ECUADOR

BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION Lead works with three different organizations that focuses on Street Children in Quito. The placement of a participant in these organizations depends on availability, the time of the year and the length of the participants stay. Once the volunteer has arrived, the participant will be part of a comprehensive orientation that will cover important information about the project, the touristy areas in Quito, ways of transportation, safety tips and more. Volunteers on this program will be helping in the poorest areas of Quito at the North and South sides of the city. These program focus on OUTREACH and SCHOOL SUPPORT. The outreach initiative works with children who have the need to work in the streets. Most of their parents work in the street markets in Quito, selling different types of products to generate some income for the family. Volunteers will provide attention, care and support through their outreach to these children. The school support initiative helps children who come from difficult backgrounds (alcoholic parents, parents who have migrated to other countries, emotionally abused etc) to raise their self-esteem and to provide them with a high quality education so that they can have a better future. Volunteers will be involved in classes, homework supervision, educational activities and more! PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS For an extra cost enjoy the beautiful sight seeing spots that Quito has to offer: * Enjoy the Old Town-churches, government, squares and shopping. The historic old town of Colonial Quito is the jewel in Ecuador's crown. The city was designated the first UNESCO World Heritage City in 1978 in recognition of the importance of its colonial architecture (ahead of cities like Bath and Venice). * Quito is the city that has the best-preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito', which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art.

* The Teleferico takes visitors almost to the top of the Volcano Pichincha. It is worth putting aside a few hours for the trip, and day or nighttime is equally interesting. The cable cars will take you up to almost 14,000 feet and the views are stunning. * Visit the "Middle of the World City" where the monument that divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern is located. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line. The Ethnographic Museum can be also be visited.

A DAY AT THE PROGRAM

HOURS ACTIVITIES

7AM-7: 30AM Breakfast at your host family

7:45AM-8: 30AM Bus from host family to the project’s site

8:30AM-1: 30PM Work at the project

1:30PM-2: 30PM Lunch at one of the many restaurants that Quito has to offer

2:30PM-6: 30PM Free time to sight see in Quito

6:30PM-7: 30PM Dinner at your host family

7:30PM-on Enjoy Quito’s nightlife

*This is just an exemplary daily itinerary. All activities scheduled above are subject to change.

PROGRAM FOCUS LOCATION (Province and Town) Animal Rescue Center ______________ ______________ Social Street Children Pichincha, Quito Adventure ______________ ______________ Environmental ______________ ______________ Construction/Building ______________ ______________ Education ______________ ______________ Sports ______________ ______________

PROJECT/ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION DESCRIPTION Organization Street Children Organizations Location of the Organization North and South areas of Quito Non-profit/private/public organization Non-profit Number of employees 5-10 1. DESCRIBE THE POPULATION/COMMUNITY THAT THE INSTITUTION PROVIDES ITS

SERVICES TO. IN CASE OF RESCUE CENTERS OR ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE THE TYPE OF ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENT IT WORKS WITH.

The three institutions that we work with provide services specifically to street children. They focus on children who are socio economically disadvantaged. These children come from difficult backgrounds. Some of them have suffered from physical and emotional abuse. Others have parents who have migrated to other countries in the search for a better future and live with a relative. Some of the children’s parents have problems with alcoholism and drugs.

2. SERVICES THAT THE ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION PROVIDES (DESCRIPTION) The three institutions that we work with provide outreach and/or school support initiatives. These initiatives help the children and their families understand the importance of education in the future of their children. The outreach initiative works with children who have the need to work in the streets. Most of their parents work at the street markets in Quito, selling different types of products to generate some income for the family. Volunteers will provide attention, care and support through their outreach to these children. The school support initiative helps children who come from difficult backgrounds (alcoholic parents, parents who have migrated to other countries, emotionally abused etc) to raise their self-esteem and to provide them with a high quality education so that they can have a better future. Volunteers will be involved in classes, homework supervision, educational activities and more!

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION 3. How many volunteers can the Project employ monthly? There is no limit on the amount of volunteers that can be employed. Volunteers will be placed in one of the three organizations based on availability, the time of the year and the length of the participants stay. Due to the fact that we work with three different organization there I are plenty of spots available for volunteers to support the work with children. 4. Has the organization received volunteers in the past? All three organizations have been working with volunteers for years; their experience is extensive. 5. If it has received volunteers in the past, please write since what month and year: All three organizations have worked with volunteers since their early years. 6. Are there any special features to which the volunteers have to pay attention to when

working at this project? (Religion, illnesses, extra-vaccination, etc) No. 7. Are there any requirements to attend this program? Great Interest in working with children and in helping those in need. 8. The project receives volunteers all year round? The organizations we work with close for the holidays. 9. Please specify holidays or other dates when the project closes and can not receive

volunteers: From December 15 to January 15. 10. Is there a minimum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? Minimum 2 weeks for the school support initiative. Minimum of 8 weeks for the outreach initiative. 11. Is there a maximum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? There is no maximum.

12. Please give detailed description of tasks and duties of the volunteer: OUTREACH INITIATIVE -Collect the children from their parent’s market posts. -Ensure all children wash their hands. -Provide care and support for the children and make sure they stay with the group. -Plan activities in advance and ensure all materials are ready on the day of the project. -Participate in activities and help children successfully complete projects. -Make sure all children get returned to their parent’s market posts. SCHOOL SUPPORT INITIATIVE -Improve hygiene by ensuring all children wash their hands and brush their teeth. -Ensure the children adhere to the program rules. -Help children with assignments and homework. -Aid the teachers with in class activities. -Supervise children during break time. -Aid the staff during snack and meal times. -Organize the children to clean up at the end of the day. 13. Indicate the times and days the volunteer will be working in the week: Volunteers will be working Monday through Friday from 8:30am to 1:30pm. Weekends will be free to explore Ecuador.

LOCATION OF THE PROJECT 14. PLEASE INDICATE THE CLOSEST CITY OR TOWN TO THE PROJECT. The organizations are located in Quito. 15. INDICATE WHAT TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION THERE IS FROM THE CENTER OF

THIS CITY TO THE PROJECT, ITS COSTS AND APPROXIMATELY TIME THAT WILL TAKE:

Public Bus transportation is $0.25. From most of our home stays and to the North projects, it will take approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes to get to the project. If they are placed to work at a project at the South side of Quito it will take from 30-45 minutes to get to the project. 16. DESCRIBE THE SORROUNDINGS OF THE PROJECT (country side, urban, town) The projects are located in the North and South side of Quito in residential neighbouhoods. It’s an urban project.

ACCOMODATIONS AND MEALS 17. Type of Accommodation?

Volunteers will stay at a host family. Host families are located in good residential neighborhoods in Quito. Home stays have been selected after an application process to make sure they have everything participants need.

18. Are meals included?

Breakfast and dinner is included at the host families.

WHAT IS INCLUDED? • Accommodation throughout your program at a home stay • Home stay option includes breakfast and dinner • Orientation upon arrival • Airport transfer on arrival to Quito • Transfer back to the airport at the end of the program • Full on-site support and assistance • On-site 24 hour emergency contact number WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED? • Lunch is not included • Personal travel insurance • All items of personal nature • Any extra activities and excursions not described on the planned itinerary • Alcoholic beverages/extra snacks

PICTURES OF THE PROJECT