Ecuador Non-Profit Volunteering

My daughter (15 years old at the time) and I spent two weeks volunteering in Calderon. This was truly a experience of a lifetime. The center were we volunteered was in a vibrant area bustling with everyday life where we got to experience the food and culture first hand. We were immersed everyday with our interactions with the beautiful children, teachers, parents and the women of FUNDAC walking way from the experience with a greater sense of our world, differences and how small gestures can help in so many ways. This experience has lead my daughter to continue on in studying International relations and development next year. Our Global Volunteer leader Maggie was amazing, guided us in every way and there to help us with anything that we needed. Ecuador is one of the most beautiful countries and has so much to offer. I hope to make it back there again.

The experiences we had in Ecuador were meaningful and memorable. Our group of 15 volunteers worked in the early childhood development center in Quito. Some volunteers worked in the classrooms with the children and others worked on the building itself doing maintenance projects and painting beautiful murals. On weekends we explored "Old Town" in Quito and visited the equator and rode a tram up a mountain. The hotel we stayed in was comfortable and the food was good. Sometimes we visited local restaurants. Maggie Bjorklund was our team leader and she was great. Everything about this volunteer program was wonderful. Spending time with the children in the classroom and the dining room were the most heartwarming moments for me personally. As a father and grandfather, the beautiful children of Quito really moved me. If you love children, kind people, and beautiful mountains, then go with Global Volunteers to Equador for one of the most magnificent experiences of a lifetime.

My daughter and I have volunteered with Global Volunteers for 2 years and we are looking forward to working again soon! It is a fabulous opportunity to help and experience new cultures. The best part is meeting the local people! Our work in Quito, Ecuador was headed by Maggie Bjorklund and she was fantastic! The program was very well organized and we always felt safe. We spent two weeks doing labor work at a pre-school and loved playing with the children and assisting the teachers. The hotel we stayed was very comfortable and everyone was very helpful. Our daily breakfast was ready in the mornings and our lunches were delicious! We also had some free time to explore the city and to try typical Ecuadorian foods. I highly recommend Global Volunteers! It will exceed your expectations!

Being with these kids in Ecuador changes you. My 12 yo son came with me. What we learned from these amazing people who experienced poverty: that you feel joy, that you love your kids like crazy, that you have hopes & dreams for them, and they are attainable. We saw unending love and dignity there. The teachers at the daycare are angels. Our team worked hard during the day, then at night -over delicious homemade meals- we debriefed, we laughed, we compared all the connections we have between the cultures. The guidance of our leader Maggie- a rock star! We want to go back. My son remembers details about this special vacation, when all other 'beach' vacation memories have sadly merged together, unimportant. It was a such a profound experience.

My then 14-year-old son Josh and I loved being part of the GV trip to Quito in mid-February. From a mom's perspective, I saw my son with new eyes as he interacted with the construction "crew" (GV volunteers and local helpers). And I'll never forget watching him as he worked with the young children I was working with. He helped get them ready for their naps and then came back after his building work to take the children down for afternoon snacks, holding their hands, playing little games, using his ninth-grade Spanish with them. I had moments of pride -- and discovery! I never knew my son was so considerate and gentle and it took a GV trip to show me that. Josh adds that the GV trip has given him more confidence to deal with new people and new situations. Altogether we loved our time with a terrific group of people and would highly recommend doing a service trip -- as a family.

My goal was to help the staff and children in whatever way they felt was needed. I am a retired early childhood special ed teacher so I took activities, songs, books etc but only used what the teachers wanted as part of their day. It was a very rewarding experience but not always easy for me as their structure is very different from an early childhood program in the US. However, the children were very loving and anxious for attention and the teachers appreciative for the help so it was a good way to learn a new culture.

The program director was wonderful, full of enthusiasm and so helpful. Any difficulties which came along were easily solved with her expert help and fluent spanish. She also knew Quito and how to see all the beautiful and interesting areas of the city. I always felt safe and did not worry about being out and about.

My only change would be to bring warmer clothes if I went in Jan. again, especially pajamas. We had some lovely days but evenings were damp and rainy. Without heat in the hotel it could be chilly. My hair dryer also served as a bed warmer!

I enjoyed working at the daycare with the kids...they even taught me three year old's Spanish. The other volunteers were amazing, after 5 years, I am still in touch with two of them (in fact one is coming to visit me in May). I went on the Global Volunteers trip alone but never felt lonely, everyone was amazing.

The two day care centers enable parents to work without worrying if their children are fed, cleaned, taught, and loved while apart from them. The tias or childcare workers are remarkable in keeping the youngsters' attention, challenging them through music, art, reading, playtime. Volunteers can help with the children, with construction projects,or teaching English to the tias.
The only problem I have ever encountered, other than getting lost in Quito which was totally my fault since I had a map, was keeping one toddler from biting...me and others.
The Global Volunteers organization strives to prepare its volunteers for their upcoming experience prior to their leaving their homes as well as provide them with in-country safe housing and travel, cultural opportunities, and language immersion. We are well-fed, comfortably housed, and become cherished workers who have made many new friends, both young and not so young, at the end of our two-week stay. Come join me in Ecuador!