Child Care Worker at Youth Center

location
4 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Very Good 4.3  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • Experience the Ecuadorian way of life. Ama la vida!
  • Gain Spanish fluency by following one of our Spanish courses, living with a host family and sharing daily life with locals.
  • Make memories you’ll never forget while working in our daily projects and during weekend excursions with your fellow participants.

Highlights

  • Experience the Ecuadorian way of life. Ama la vida!
  • Gain Spanish fluency by following one of our Spanish courses, living with a host family and sharing daily life with locals.
  • Make memories you’ll never forget while working in our daily projects and during weekend excursions with your fellow participants.
  • Become more passionate about your major and propel your career with international experience.
  • Visit Cuenca, Montañita, Baños, The Galapagos Islands, Cuyabeno and all the other wonderful places in Ecuador during your free time.


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+
    Wheel Chairs

    About the program

    At the child care project, you work as a social worker and can follow internships in the fields of pedagogy, psychology and more.

    A big part of the Ecuadorian population still lives below the poverty line. For poor families it’s often hard to give their children a careless childhood, because there isn’t enough money for healthy food and not enough knowledge for a good education. A lot of families in Ecuador are ‘one ...

    About the program

    A big part of the Ecuadorian population still lives below the poverty line. For poor families it’s often hard to give their children a careless childhood, because there isn’t enough money for healthy food and not enough knowledge for a good education. A lot of families in Ecuador are ‘one parent families’ and more than once the mother is still a teenager, without any education or job. When a mother does have a job, often they take their children with them to work, where they have to sit in a corner and be quiet. Alcoholism among parents is also a common thing.

    Not far from our office there is a daycare that receives children in the ages from two to twelve years on a daily basis. The kids follow a curriculum that is recognized by the Ecuadorian government, get a healthy meal and they participate in workshops and sports classes that are organized with the help of international volunteers. The children grow up in a safe environment and receive the attention they deserve. At the same time their parents have the opportunity to complete their education or to earn a living.

    As a volunteer you work on a daily basis in the daycare. Your job consists mainly of supporting the teachers who often have a lot of experience working in this place. You work with children across different ages, each with its own story. Characteristic for this project is creativity, enthusiasm and of course dealing with young children.


    Typical day

    You can work part-time or full-time at the youth center, depending on your further program. Normally you start at 9 AM and finish your day around 5 PM. In between you have ample time to have lunch with your colleagues, fellow volunteers and interns and of course the kids.


    Your program and the ...

    Typical day

    You can work part-time or full-time at the youth center, depending on your further program. Normally you start at 9 AM and finish your day around 5 PM. In between you have ample time to have lunch with your colleagues, fellow volunteers and interns and of course the kids.


    Your program and the activities you will be involved in will depend on your level of Spanish.


    Free-time activities

    During your stay with Local Dreamers you will live with one of our local host families or you will have a room in our volunteer house. It's completely up to you. Both the host families and volunteer house (located above our office) are located in central Quito, near the historical center and the ...

    Free-time activities

    During your stay with Local Dreamers you will live with one of our local host families or you will have a room in our volunteer house. It's completely up to you. Both the host families and volunteer house (located above our office) are located in central Quito, near the historical center and the tourist center.

    In the weekends you are free to come and go wherever you want. Ecuador is incredibly versatile, but still relatively small and easily accessible. From Quito you can easily go on a discovery tour and get to know more of this fantastic country. Our coordinators are happy to help you on your way. If you want to take a little more time for a trip, that is of course always possible. We are a flexible organization and are happy to think along with you.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level)

    Criminal Background Check

    required

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 17:00

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by Foundation Local Dreamers

    The mentioned costs involve room, board, airport pickup and preperation & guidance as well as a one-time contribution towards the project.

    Airport Pickup at Mariscal Sucre International Airport

    When you arrive at airport Mariscal Sucre, our driver José Luis will be waiting for you at the gate. We always provide him with some pictures of you, so he will for sure recognize you. Together with José Luis you will make a one-hour drive to our office in the centre of Quito. At the office, one of our coordinators will welcome you and show you around in the neighborhood. After a little small talk we will bring you to your host family/ the volunteer house where you have all the time to recover from your flight.

    Accommodation

    During your stay with Local Dreamers you will live with one of our local host families or you will have a room in our volunteer house (guest house). It's completely up to you. Both the host families and volunteer house (located above our office) are located in central Quito, near the historical center and the tourist center.

    Food & Beverages

    Our host families provide a daily breakfast and dinner, which is included in the price. All our families are happy to introduce you to the Ecuadorian cuisine, and will provide you with varied meals. In the evening they prepare a warm meal, with plenty of vegetables and meat. They also like to take into account any allergies or vegetarian requirements, please let us know during your application.

    In our volunteer house we have a large kitchen with everything you need to prepare great meals. We often see volunteers doing the shopping and cooking together. There is a large supermarket on the same street.

    At our office we provide drinking water, coffee and tea. Lunch will be for your own costs.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Feel free to join us in every time of the year, our projects are open during the whole year. We don't have specific arrival days, just search your most ideal flight. Our coordinators are available to welcome you on every day of the week, also during the weekend.

    Attention: for working as a volunteer on this project, you are required to stay in Quito for a minimum amount of 4 weeks.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    4 weeks (min. stay) 700€
    5 weeks 850€
    6 weeks 1,000€
    7 weeks 1,200€
    11 weeks 1,700€
    19 weeks 2,773€
    50 weeks (max. stay) 6,100€
    Average fees 148€/week

    Program fees

    148€ per week 4 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    4 - 50 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with Foundation Local Dreamers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    Foundation Local Dreamers

    Very Good 4.3 rating (14 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2011

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Excellent response rate

    Coordinated by

    Aldert

    Spoken languages: Spanish, Dutch, English

    About the project

    Local Dreamers is an organization that was founded by a small group of young idealists. It is created out of the passion for South-America and Ecuador in particular.

    Meet your organization

    After the establishment of Local Dreamers in November 2011, our Dutch founders Aldert Schriemer and Jesse van Woestijne first ran a pilot project in Quito, Ecuador, in 2012. Six years later, we are still pursuing our dream every day: deploying talent development, sport, language and creativity to develop personal and social development, self-confidence and entrepreneurship. 

    Our story

    We are a young team that operates quickly, openly, involved, passionately and dynamically. Every day we try to share our dreams with the community and try to make the dreams of the community come true. We do this with a healthy amount of energy and fun, but above all with an important objective: to contribute to a world that makes people happy. Step by step.

    Our top mission

    To create an inspiring and safe learning environment in which Ecuadorian children, youngsters and international volunteers can discover, develop, share and connect their talents and dreams with each other. We focus on the needs of both worlds and connect their different cultures and people with one another.

    We use talent, sport, education, creativity and communication in order to create social development, confidence and entrepreneurship. Our goal is to build fruitful, self-sustaining projects and to convey them to local project coordinators.

    • Create ties
    We create ties that last between different worlds, cultures and people. We try to broaden one´s view on the world, both for involved Ecuadorians as for international volunteers.

    •  Offer a safe environment

    We offer a safe environment in which Ecuadorian children and youngsters between the ages of 6 to 16 year, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic background, can discover and develop their talents.

    • Create self-sustaining projects

    We create self-sustaining projects, which will be governed by the inhabitants of the project areas within 10 years, after which Local Dreamers’ role in the projects will be limited to advising and controlling.

    • Contribute to a better world

    We arouse the interest and enthusiasm of international ‘dreamers’ in contributing to a better world by sharing knowledge, experiences, passions and talents with one another.

    • Stimulate social development

    We use sports and games, language, creativity and (intercultural) communication to stimulate the personal and social development of Ecuadorian children and teenagers.

    • Contribute to local initiatives

    We contribute to small-scale local initiatives through the knowledge, experience, passion and talent of international volunteers. Projects which have enough basis to survive without our presence.

    14 reviews · rating4.3

    Lars Rumawatine rating5

    2022 at Child Care Worker at Youth Center

    Amazing project in the South of Quito for the children who need it the most. I really liked the companionship with my fellow volunteers while doing some of the groceries and preparing dinner for the children. The smiles on the children's faces, while they were eating and playing games, were ...
    Simona Tamburrino rating1

    2022 at Child Care Worker at Youth Center

    # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # PROJECT STATEMENT BELOW # # # # # # # # # # # #Leider wurde mein Misstrauen nach nur einer Woche Aufenthalt in Quito gebrochen. Mein Weltanschauungsbild hinsichtlich Freiwilligenarbeit wurde von Local Dreamers komplett zerstört. Ich glaube nicht mehr daran, dass das ...
    Michele Vigano rating4.6

    2023 at Soccer Trainer at the Ecuadorian Coast

    Sono stato in un periodo non semplice per l’Ecuador, inizio Gennaio 2024. Nonostante questo sono riuscito a godermi a pieno un paese magnifico, con delle problematiche ma tanto potenziale. La scuola calcio è gestita alla grande da Adrian, Joshua e Klever. Sono davvero delle persone stupende e ...
    Local Dreamers is providing healthy meals for kids. It is creating a safe and fun place for children and family members. Volunteers prepared fresh food and healthy meals. ..
    Ruth Sophie Schrapper rating5

    2022 at Conservation of Nature

    I had two amazing weeks at Hacienda la Soledad with Eduardo, Carlos and basically the whole family because we even ended up joining the barbecue with the whole family! In two weeks we did something new every day and still had the afternoons and weekend to explore San Cristobal and the other islands! ...
    Stefanie Reiter rating2.2

    2021 at Teacher at a Swimming School

    ***Project Statement Below*** I signed up for the project "Teacher at a Swimming School" and expected to work as a swimming teacher during my volunteering time. Surprisingly I've been told on my first day that I was also in charge of teaching English (to adults and kids) and soccer (to kids). As ...

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    Contact Aldert
      Excellent response rate
    Spanish, Dutch, English

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