Orphanage in Quito (Ages 18+)

About the Project
The orphanage is for children whose mothers have been imprisoned. After many years of struggling to provide greater care for these children, the orphanage was built with the hope of giving them a better chance at life outside prison walls. With a classroom, sleeping facilities, a kitchen, gardens, and a playground, the children are able to make friends and have the opportunity to go to school.

From the kids at the orphanage leeching onto me the entire time I was there, to watching a Quito soccer game (number one in South America I heard) to white water rafting in the Amazon, my experience in Ecuador was truly a life-changing one. You don't appreciate things in your life until you visit a society where these things are seldom heard of. -Steve Montera, Greenheart Volunteer in Ecuador

Volunteer Responsibilities
Help is greatly needed with after-school tutoring, organizing recreational activities, helping to work with the children in the garden, and general counseling support. Volunteers are encouraged to get creative and bring any of their own materials to share with the children. .

Location
The project is located in the heart of Quito. All volunteers will be met at the airport in Quito.

Accommodations and Meals
Accommodation during the project is with a carefully screened host family located in Quito, the capital city of Ecuador.

Transportation and Travel Arrangements
All travel arrangements must be booked according to Greenheart Travel instructions. Booking travel is your responsibility, but we are more than happy to help you as needed. You will fly into the airport in Quito where a representative will meet you and take you directly to your host family’s house. It will be your responsibility to make your own arrangements for your return to Quito and the airport upon departure.

Buses are the main form of transportation in Ecuador and are extremely inexpensive. Each day you will need to travel by bus to and from the project. Greenheart Travel does not cover any bus fare used in transit to and from the project site.

Local Support
Greenheart Travel always provides you with a thorough network of support before departure and during your time abroad. You will be provided with pre-departure orientation materials that will walk you through every step of your program. Your local coordinator, host family, and volunteer site supervisor are more than happy to address questions or difficulties that you may have at anytime during your program.

Dates, Duration and Application Deadline
The project runs year-round for 2-12 weeks in length and volunteers may choose their own start dates, depending upon availability. Applications are due at least 8 weeks prior to departure.

Requirements
Experience or education in counseling, teaching and/or childcare is helpful, but not required, depending on the duties the volunteer will be expected to perform. An intermediate level of Spanish is required. Spanish lessons are available prior to the volunteer project in Quito for an additional fee.

Program Costs 

Included	Not Included
Lodging/3 meals per day	Airfare
Arrival Pick-up at airport	In country transportation
Medical/Accident Insurance	Phone cards
24 Emergency Staff	Internet
Pre-departure and arrival Orientation

Fees may be paid by personal check, money order or credit card.