volsol ecuador brochure 2016 compressed

ECUADOR

www.volunteeringsolutions.com

VOLUNTEER INTERN TRAVEL

2016BROCHURE

ContentsCover01

Contents02

Your Accommodation10

Accomodation and Living11

Cost and Start Dates12

What am I Paying for?13

What am I Paying for? (Contd.)14

Things to Do15

How to Apply - The Process16--18

Get in Touch19

Ecuador and Quito Overview03

Day care for vulnerable children04

Child Care at children’s hospital05

Street Children Program06

Child Center for Special Needs Children07

Soccer Coaching at Sports Club08

Teaching at Primary School09

VOLUNTEER


Dense Amazonian tropical forests, bombastic huge volcanoes, and

the world famous Galapagos Islands…. Ecuador has countless

reasons for you to visit. Ecuador takes high pride in its heritage

and its people, and with vibrant culture and enthusiastic crowd, it

is a perfect place for a delightful sojourn. It is said for this place

that, “Ecuador Love life!”, and with festivals and celebrations

happening every other day, the statement stands true. Every

singlesingle day spent here, ends with a new experience in your life; so

you better be ready to get your mind zonked!

And then there is the capital town of Quito, the pride of Ecuador, a

UNESCO heritage site, and world’s highest capital city at an

elevation of 9350 feet (2800m above sea level). Though, the city

has undergone a massive modernization spree in recent past, the

charm and elegance of the Andean days still persists pretty much

in this Old Town (that’s what it is fondly known as). While the new

town is the face of the modernized and reconstructed part of the

city,city, one needs to spend more time in the old town part to know

the real Quito.

The sheer thought of volunteering in this stupendous city gives a

push to stop everything, pack bags, and leave. Volunteering

Solutions provides ample of volunteering opportunities in the

wonderful town of Quito, here is a list;

Ecuador Trip highlightsExplore the historical lanes of the old town of

Quito, and experience the maze of colonial

splendor.

Visit the gigantic, yet adoring volcanoes near

to the city of Quito; including the Cotopaxi,

Pichincha, Illiniza, and many more.

SailSail down to the Galapagos Islands, and

experience the nirvana life.

El Panecillo, Basilica of the National Vow,

Vulqano park, and many more tourist hot

spots are a must visit.

SavorSavor the barbecued Guinea Pig at one of the

local food points and gulp it down with a glass

of Colada Morada, a tradition Ecuadorian

drink.

Ecuador and Quito Overview


03

Programs in Quito, Ecuador

Teaching at Primary School

Day care for vulnerable children

Soccer Coaching at Sports Club

Childcare at a children's hospital

Street Children Program

Child Center for Special Needs Children

Program RequirementsVolunteers must be 18 years or older on the volunteer program start date.

A mandatory criminal background check

Travel insurance

Copy of the passport

There is a considerable chunk of families in Quito, and nearby towns,

which belong to the underprivileged section of the community and,

thus, cannot afford the education and other day to day needs of their

children. The day care program caters to resolve this problem. Started

in March 2004, there are around 55 children today, aged between 2

years and 5 years. The children are divided into three separate groups

according to their age and each teacher is assigned to each group.

A set of 13 children arrive to the day care, in the afternoon, for tuitions

and studies. There is a doctor who comes to visit the project twice a

month and a psychologist works with parents of these children to

enlighten them about social values and other family related issues.

The contact with the children

and their parents is

something I will never forget

-Lottie Runge

Day care for vulnerable childrenStarting from $400


04

Add On Tour

Kindly contact the local project coordinator for the same



Travel insurance


Certain level of grasp on Spanish language. (though not a compulsion)

Through this project, volunteers get to work in a large public hospital,

especially made for children. Children aged from 0 to 15 years are

treated here, who come from all over Ecuador, to receive medical

treatment. According to a recent statistics, over 140,000 patients are

treated every year. The hospital attends to medical emergencies as

well as providing long-term care for those who are extremely ill.

AsAs a volunteer, you are supposed to take care of children who are ill

and bed-ridden, while assisting the admin staff in non-medical duties

such as creating engaging, fun filled educational games for the

children, and work in play areas called “Ludoteca”.

The kids at the project are

wonderful. It truly has been

a life changing experience

-Sibyl Arbelo

Child Care at children’s hospitalStarting from $400


05



Travel insurance



This program is dedicated to the children who have lived a traumatic

past marred with experiences like living with drug addict parents, living

on the streets, abused by others, subjected to violence and a lot of

mental torture. This project has been able to successfully help many a

children and their families. Currently this project supports around 250

children. Apart from giving psychological support to the children, the

program has created a carpentry work shop as well as a bakery, where

youngyoung people and adults can come and receive training and various

courses.

As a volunteer, your responsibilities would cover the basic work; such

as, helping children finish their homework and prepare recreational

activities to be carried out when the children finish their homework or

during their breaks, help with food preparation, especially during the

lunchtime which can be very chaotic and busy, as well as in the

carpentry work, frequent visits to the school where the children are

enrolled, and assist in hygiene education.

I absolutely loved working at

the orphanage

-Kimberly Ann Walters

Street Children ProgramStarting from $400


06



Travel insurance



This project is mainly for the disabled children, majority of which have

multiple disabilities and use wheelchairs. Nine of the total 13 children

are suffering from cerebral Palsy, while the others are facing problem

of deafness, autism, mentally retarded, and problem in eyes. And while

a doctor gives regular visit at the center, there is an in house staff of

four people including a coordinator, a cook and 2 women to take care

of the children.

ForFor a volunteer enrolled for this program, you are supposed to help

with daily care of the children like changing diapers and clothes,

feeding, brushing their teeth, etc. ; help with hippo-therapy sessions

accompanying the children and horses; help to organize activities for

the children, because most of the time they are bored; and depending

on a volunteer’s experience and level of study you can also do

physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, musical

therapy, etc.therapy, etc.

Meeting other volunteers,

working with the kids and

staying with a host family, I

really enjoyed my time in

Quito

-Nitasha Dhiri

Child Center for Special Needs ChildrenStarting from $400


07


Travel insurance


Good soccer playing ability

As the name suggests, volunteers under this project have to train the

football enthusiasts to play better in order to empower the local youth

of Quito through Soccer. Depending on the school schedule of the kids,

most classes at the Soccer School are taught in the afternoon in the

South of Quito. This soccer schools provides training to the local

youngsters, between the age group of 6-16 years, every day, after the

school hours.

AsAs a volunteer, you can participate actively in preparing soccer training

module, develop team assignments, teach and assist during training

sessions, and help with emergency situation.

The f irst moment I came at

the center I was part of it

-Nitasha Dhiri

Soccer Coaching at Sports ClubStarting from $400


08


Travel insurance


Certain level of grasp on Spanish language

This primary school in Quito is a public school and has around 100

children all aged between 5 to 14 years. While, children studying in this

school come from different economic and social backgrounds,

maximum of the kids come from poor sections of the society. Each

class has around 25-30 students at a time.

WhileWhile volunteering as a teacher in the primary school, you need to

create a proper lesson plan for teaching English, assist the existing

teaching staff with lesson plans and curriculum, give sports coaching

or computer lessons, and engage with kids during break and by playing

games with them.

They are eager to learn

English and I enjoyed seeing

their smiling faces every day

-Sibyl Arbelo

Teaching at Primary SchoolStarting from $400


09

Your Accommodation


10

Accommodation Highlights

Fully furnished and equipped with all basic facilities

Meals provided at host family accommodation

Close proximity to shops, public transport and project location

Volunteering solutions provide lodging and bedding for its

volunteers in the mainland city of Quito itself. You can choose to

stay either in a volunteer house or with a host family, both of

which are fully furnished and provides all basic necessities; like,

heater, western style bathrooms, internet facility, in close

proximity to the market. The rooms at the volunteer house are

according to same gender sharing.

WhileWhile a fully equipped kitchen is available at the volunteer house,

where you can cook whatever you want to, at the host family

house you are provided with meal thrice a day with some delicious

local food options; including, chicken, fish, meat and various

vegetarian options.


Accommodation and Living11


Cost and Start Dates12

Please Note: -An application fee of $225 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. The above fees are for volunteer

hostel accommodation. Please add $100 extra per week for host family accommodation

Quito Program Costs (in USD)

1 Week 2 Weeks 3 Weeks 4 Weeks 5 Weeks 6 Weeks 7 Weeks 8 Weeks Program Name Extra Weeks

$500$400 $570 $650 $800 $910 $1010 $1100 $175Quito all Program Costs

Airfare

Mobile connection and recharge

Transportation and local travel

Visa Fee

Personal expenses

Expenses other than program fee

Quito Day Care, Teaching & Sports Program Dates

Quito Street Children & Mentally Disabled Children Program Dates

Most people are surprised to hear that they have to pay to volunteer abroad. What they often do not realize is that there

are significant administrative costs involved to arrange for a worthwhile volunteer abroad placement. Volunteering

SolutionsSolutions is not supported by any government funding and runs its programs entirely from the fee that volunteers pay to

take part in the volunteer programs. Volunteering Abroad, involves incurring of many costs such as food, accommodation,

transportation, transfers, project selection etc. The program fee charged by us, goes into providing you all these services.

The money that you pay to us is distributed at various stages to provide you a meaningful volunteer abroad experience.

VOLSOL Program Cost IncludesAdvertising Online/Offline Credit Card processing charges

In country maintenance of offices, vehicles etc.Staff recruitmentVolunteer recruitmentMaintaining office and other expenses

Salaries for staffNGO financial helpCommunication with volunteers and partners, by phone/email etc.International travel done by our staff to monitor projects and attend local meetings with partnersWebsite maintenance.Government taxes.


What am I paying for?13

Administration Cost

In Country SupportProject Development

Project Support &Field Cost

Food & Accommodation

It is necessary for an organization to employ full time staff to recruit and manage volunteers. There is lot of work that goes

side by side ensuring that you are supported before and during your program. We are dedicated to make your volunteering

abroad a memorable experience and ward off of all possible hunches at every steps. Our administration cost is 28% of the

total cost which include advertising, staff salary, website maintenance, taxes, volunteer recruitment and other expenses.

The application processing fee is part of your administrative costs, unlike many other volunteer travel company we do not

chargecharge any additional credit card processing fee. These companies can charge as much as 6% on your application fee taking

it to a difference of almost $100 extra. We have a flat rate and that is what we charge.

Administration

You may be endowed with exceptional skills and acumen in your area of expertise but to figure out your exact role in the

placement agency and to gain insights of its operations require training. To know cultural practices and etiquettes is of

sublime importance to carry out your tasks. So you need someone who could impart training and dispel your doubts at

every step, obviously he/she doubles as your friend and trainer.

Good grasp of the local language is an added advantage that helps you to communicate effectively and learn the culture

promptly so in some cases they also assign language trainers to help you out who is paid by program provider.

Training and orientation

We charge for food and accommodation based on your preferences. You may decide to do home stay or group accommo-

dation or relish the cuisines cooked by host family and pay them. You may cook for yourself if you find it economical or your

placement organization may provide you lunch. You have plethora of options to choose from and charges are determined

accordingly. Host organization provides a safe and welcoming atmosphere for the volunteers. Food and accommodation

charges cover 40% of your total expenditure.

Food and accommodation

Volunteer service organization often employs in-country staff to provide local support and to make your volunteering

abroad experience memorable. As long as you are volunteering outside which may take up to six months, our staff is

continuously working for you behind the screen. So we pay them from program fees we receive despite other sources like

grants and donations.

Nothing can be more discomforting than to struggle for getting basic services like healthcare, banking or even visa

reviewingreviewing in a foreign land that otherwise would have been comparatively less difficult in an English speaking country. As a

volunteer, you have not been tied up to the agency only but you may roam around the city to watch historical places, zoo,

movies etc. and should have total access to everything in order to distress yourself. VolSol has incredible in-country support

(around 12%) to ensure your trip runs smoothly.

In country support

The most important part of the volunteering fees is on the project which you have chosen. Program fees help fund the

project activities and resources. Thus organizations need paid staff member to ensure continuity of your program and

administrative duties. Project development involved 11% of the total program fee.

Project Development

What am I paying for? (Contd.)14

With a tank full of active volcanoes in its periphery, Ecuador gives you the opportunity to see and admire what one may

even analogue as gigantic cannons. Cotopaxi, the second highest mountain peak in the country is an ironical showcase of

a volcano, with snow covering on the top circumference. And while Illiniza is a pair of volcanic mountains in the Andes

range, Tungurahua and Pichincha are amongst the few other located in Ecuador.

Admire the conical fire

The Equatorial island region of Galapagos lies west to the region of Ecuador, with an amalgamation of a set of mysterious

yet mesmerizing islands. Enjoy the serene beaches and water reserves at various islands including, Santa Cruz, Fernandina,

Floreana, Rabida and many more.

Be an Amigo to Galapagos

Ecuador is surrounded with a number of active volcanoes, some of which are extremely beautiful and one just can’t resist

to get as close as possible. Apart from these, the varied flora and fauna residing amidst dense forests and sanctuaries are

a must to explore. The protected geobotanical reserve of Pululahua, the Podocarpus National Park, the Llanganates

National Park are just a few to name out of the entire lot of forest area covered, where you can encounter some of the

finest and also endemic species in the world.

Get the thrill as you will

When it comes to talking gluttony stuff about Ecuador, most of us would picture one thing for sure, Guinea Pigs. Sea food

is an obvious option without doubt; try Langostinos if you don’t mind putting on some extra pounds. Choclo, a dry roasted

Andean corn preparation, is a famous local snack that one can get from street vendors. Cuy (Guinea Pig), Llapingachos,

Locro Soup are amongst the many lip-smacking delicacies ready to be served on your platter.

Eat it the Spanish way!

Cathedrals, museums, theme parks…… there is no dearth of fascinating buildings, designed and built in the year of yore.

The Basilica of the National Vow, the largest neo-gothic catholic church in the Americas, is a famous piece of architectural

work and is incomplete till-date; local legends believe that its completion will bring about the end of the world, now that’s

spooky! The Parque El Ejido and the Vulqano Park are two of the amusement arenas in the capital city if Quito. An entire

day or two must be dedicated just to cherish the crafts of the cities.

Fine Art of Architecture

No trip is complete without some long lasting, memorable souvenirs; nor would this be. There are a plenty of markets in

the cities of Ecuador. Go to George Washington Street to grab some of the nicely knitted woolens (lama-hoodies are pretty

famous). The Saquisili market that sets up only on Thursdays has a good collection of souvenir items, sold at a reasonable

price.

*** Trip Notes: While you travel in Ecuador always carry your passport with you since it is a legal requirement and you

could be asked for it at any time.

Lot to take away


Things to do in Ecuador

15

How to apply - The process16

From the drop down select either Volunteer Abroad, Intern Abroad or Summer programs abroad.

If you are already familiar with the website and are visiting just to apply ignore this step and simply click on the Apply Now button at the

end of the drop down header.

Where it will ask you to create a login and password for your My Account login. Your email id would be treated as the username or user

id. Click on the proceed to next step button. The next step button will take you to a form that you have to fill to pay your application fee

of $225. This application fee will book your seat in the placement until you pay the entire program fee amount. If we fail to provide you

the placement we will refund you the money.

**Points to Heed

**If you are a past volunteer and already have my account user id and password then login to your my account section directly.

**If you are a returning volunteer within a year, then you do not need to pay the application fee again. **If you are a returning volunteer within a year, then you do not need to pay the application fee again.

01

When you click on the apply now button, you will get a window like this:

02



Fill out the forms marked 2 to 4 and submit application, it will be redirected to your payment gateway, where you can make the payment.

If you make the application fee payment now, your My account login would be activated as soon as we receive the payment. In case of

any glitches if your My account login is not activated, please inform us and we will do it manually.

You will receive a Thank you mail for booking the application or making your my account

login. You will get this email irrespective of full payment made or not.

03

04

This email would be followed by a Welcome mail and a community email with platforms to

help you connect with our past volunteers. If you are using gmail, please check your

promotions folder or spam folder and mark them not spam and shift them to your inbox.

Actively participate in VolSol Facebook page and Groups and also join the social

community made by volunteers, that will help you better prepare for the trip.

05



One month prior to your booking you will get your pre departure booklet. The

pre-departure booklet would contain all the details about your project and project

location.

While on the project, we will send you an email to check on you, whether you are doing fine or not. You can send your pictures, blogs or

videos or anything related to your ongoing work to us and we will share it with other prospective volunteers.

After the completion of your project, we send you a feedback form, fill this form out and help us improve our services.

Jonatan(Ecuador Coordinator)

Know your Team in Ecuador

06

If your placement is confirmed you will get an email from us stating the same, along with

the final payment due amount.

You can pay your program fee from your my account section or from payment page. The

links for the same would be provided in the email. Payment details would be updated on

your my account page.

05

Hi my name is Jonatan, I work for about half year within the company. My main tasks are to coordinate

if the whole package is confirmed. From hotels, to transportation, excursions and guides. I consider

myself a cheerful and friendly person and I am very happy if passengers enjoyed their tour. I am finish-

ing my bachelor’s degree in Ecotourism. I like all sports and I love adventure sports. In Ecuador we can

practice the sport of adventure and know many places with beautiful landscapes. My best part in Ecua-

dor is Amazon region, because they have many canyons cliffs and rivers surrounded by vegetation that

makes an unforgettable landscape.


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volsol ecuador brochure 2016 compressed

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