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Volunteer at a Day Care Center in Galapagos Islands

Volunteer in Galapagos Islands with Volunteering Solutions. Volunteers working in the Day care center project work in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz.  Volunteers are placed in a day care center which is a bit behind the touristic areas in the middle of town. It is a quite newly built center that is one of few public and they have at the moment about 40 children in the ages 1 to 5 years.
 
It is in many ways like a daycare center anywhere in the world but they don’t always have the resources or knowledge to give enough pedagogic classes to the children. Many times the way of thinking when it comes to pedagogic classes and education of smaller children is very different that from for example Europe and it can many times look more like they just look after the children until the parents come to get them.

Volunteers are needed to help with the daily tasks in the center that might be keeping an eye on the children, play games with the children, help with pedagogic classes, help children in the bathroom, help with meals for the children by for example cooking /serving food / feeding smaller children, make games, dance, sing, change diapers on the smaller once etc. Exactly what the volunteers will do depends on what the volunteer can and feel comfortable to do as well as what they need help with at the daycare center.

Volunteers working in this project usually work from Monday - Friday 6-7 hours with a lunch break in between. Afternoons are normally quite calm and slow so volunteers can often choose to just work in the morning depending on the needs at the center.

Volunteers are welcome to bring gifts for the children such as games for the children to play with, ideas of games to teach and play with the children, songs and instruments of songs to play with children.

The project is highly recommended for anyone who likes to work with children.
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Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and an interest in working with children. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Volunteers joining this program should have at least a beginner level in Spanish. Volunteers would also need to email a copy of their CV and passport to us after submitting their application.
 

Project Location

The Project is located in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz Island which is one of the most visited towns in the islands. Most visitors at least pass by here on their way to other Islands or on one of the many cruise ships. Puerto Ayora several nice beaches that can easily be reached and it’s the best place to be for day trips to other Islands such as Bartolome, Santa Fe, Floreana and Isabela as well bay trips or diving trips.

What we provide

Airport Receive/ Transfer: Volunteers need to arrive in Quito first 2 days before the program start where they are given orientation by the local coordinators. After completing the orientation, volunteers take a flight to Galapagos Islands.
 
Orientation: A half day orientation will be provided by the local staff. Areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation, safety and volunteer placements are given during the orientation. 
 
Lodging: Accommodation is provided with a local Ecuadorian host family which would be around 10-15 minutes away from the center. All volunteers are provided with separate rooms in most cases. However, in a some cases you would be sharing the room with a fellow volunteer. All host families are carefully selected and approved by the local staff and have past experience oh hosting international volunteers. 
 
Food:The host family provides three meals a day to the volunteers. Ecuadorian food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot.
 
Insurance: Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here
 
In – Country travel assistance: Volunteers are assisted by the local staff and coordinators for any kind of assistance they need for their travel arrangements. 
 
In-country support: 24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff who will be contactable 24 hrs once you are in country.
 
Pre-departure information: After we receive full and final payment all participants are provided by a pre-departure information booklet which will have all vital information about your program. The Pre Departure Information Booklet provides the complete details of the country, project locations, Visas, Immunizations, Things to Pack list, Accommodations, Contact Information etc.

Start Dates 

Volunteers can begin their project placement on 1st or 3rd Monday of the month. Volunteers have to arrive to Quito for at least one day and two nights when we have the orientation.
 

Program Costs

Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offers one of the most affordable volunteer abroad programs. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference. 
 
USD GBP EUR
2 Weeks3 Weeks4 Weeks5 Weeks6 Weeks7 Weeks8 WeeksExtra Weeks
$825$1045$1265$1485$1705$1925$2145$220
Please Note: -An application fee of $200 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
2 Weeks3 Weeks4 Weeks5 Weeks6 Weeks7 Weeks8 WeeksExtra Weeks
£578£732£886£1040£1194£1348£1502£154
Please Note: -An application fee of £140 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.
2 Weeks3 Weeks4 Weeks5 Weeks6 Weeks7 Weeks8 WeeksExtra Weeks
€660€836€1012€1188€1364€1540€1716€176
Please Note: -An application fee of €160 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

    What are you Paying For ?

    •  24 hrs Assistance and support from Staff
    •  Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
    •  Airport Pickup in Quito
    •  Orientation in Quito
    •  Food - 3 meals a day
    •  Accommodation 
    •  Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

    What's NOT Included ?

    • Airfare to Ecuador and Galapagos and Airport Taxes
    • Galapagos Entry Fee
    • Return Trip to Airport 
    • Local In country transportation
    • Visas
    • Vaccinations

What are the Program locations in Ecuador?

Volunteering Solutions offers programs across different locations in Ecuador. Programs are available in the capital city of Quito as well as other towns such as Ibarra, Ambato, Tena, Santa Elena and Cuenca. In Galapagos Islands, programs take place in Isabela and Santa Cruz Island.

Does Volunteering Solutions help with Visa?

Receiving a tourist visa for tourism purpose is the volunteer's responsibility. Volunteering Solutions strongly recommends all volunteers to apply and get a tourist visa before departing for Ecuador. If needed, Volunteering Solutions do provide with written document which would help volunteers in getting the Visa.

When should I apply for the volunteer programs in Ecuador?

We are able to offer placements on the first Monday of each month year round. Because of the increasing volume of applications, participants are requested to apply in advance to secure their spots.

How long does it take to process my application?

Once you have applied, we will send you details of your placement usually within 7-10 working days.

When do I need to arrive in Ecuador for my program? What will happen once I arrive in Ecuador?

The volunteer projects in Ecuador have a start date of 1st and 3rd Monday of the month. Volunteers should arrive either on Friday or Saturday morning as orientation in Quito takes place on Saturday after which the volunteers join their respective projects. For those volunteers who will be volunteering in Galapagos Islands, the orientation would be in Quito after which they would take the flight to Galapagos Islands.

I want to know more about accommodation arrangements?

We provide you with accommodation from your start date to the end of the program. Accommodation will be provided in a host family or home stay.  You will have your own room, which you might share with another volunteer. You should bring along things like towels and toiletries. Accommodation will be neat, clean and basic.

Are there any necessary requirements to participate in the Ecuador-based volunteer programs?

The only qualifications are: -
 
-- Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the beginning of the program
-- Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
-- The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
-- Be in good health.
-- Volunteers need to provide us with their Resume , Photo and scanned copy of passport as per the project requirements

What immunizations/vaccinations will I need?

We recommend you speak to your doctor before coming. The following are recommended vaccinations: -
  1. Hepatitis A and B
  2. Typhoid

Are there more expenses once I arrive in Ecuador?

Your program fee covers you for food, accommodation, airport pick up, Orientation, Pre departure information and in country staff support. You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as traveling, telephone, internet, shopping, sightseeing etc. Traveling from Bus within Ecuador is cheap; however, you should carry around $40 - 50 per week for your basic personal expenses, such as water, local transport, phone etc.

What hours will I volunteer every day?

Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However some organizations will need you to work on some Saturdays as well.

Where can I change my money in Ecuador? Are there ATM’s in Ecuador?

You can change money in any bank or at the airport by showing your passport. There are ATM's located all around Quito city.

Can couples or families join the volunteer program?

Yes, couples and families are welcome to join our programs. We make special provisions for families joining our volunteering programs; we will be able to provide them with program placements and accommodations together.

What will be the food arrangement?

Do I need to buy health insurance?

Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To buy insurance from Volunteering Solutions, please click here

What sorts of clothes are required for Ecuador?

Lightweight clothing and rainwear is recommended as well as warmer clothing for the evenings (light jacket and/or light sweaters). A pair of walking shoes is highly recommended as well.

Do you recommend any cheap airlines flying into Ecuador?

There are many airlines offering direct connections to Quito. The major airlines operating to Ecuador are American Airlines, TACA, AeroGal, LAN Ecuador , TAME , KLM and United Airlines.

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