Ecuador Volunteer Programs from $21/day | Most Affordable & Trusted

I participated in the Street Children Work project in Ecuador. I absolutely loved this trip for so many reasons. First of all, IVHQ does such a good job of responding to emails and making sure you're safe and prepared to travel, and also help you arrange weekend trips easily. Secondly, I really liked the homestead aspect. On the trip, volunteers are placed in the home of an actual family living in Ecuador with other volunteers. The food they cooked was amazing, and it was interesting to see how they lived their lives in Ecuador. Also it was awesome to meet volunteers from all around the world. For the actual volunteering, the kids were great, they're all super grateful for your presence and very loving. The UBECI staff is so good with kids and it's really fulfilling to see how excited they get when they see us in the markets. Ecuador is also relatively inexpensive to the states and has a fun nightlife on the weekends. Overall, I really recommend this trip and IVHQ in general.

I was reluctant to travel alone as a single female, but could not be any happier that I did! Between the experience itself and the friends that I made along the way, this program was life changing! I worked for a month on the Street Children Project in Quito and never wanted to leave. From teaching English to children falling asleep in your arms, it was beyond my every expectation. The children are so loving and want nothing more than your love and attention. The UBECI staff was amazing and made you feel comfortable and right at home. I also took part in the Spanish lessons that were offered and they were intense, but I learned a great deal. Safety was not an issue as you travel to and from the street markets as a group. While staying in Quito, I was placed at the volunteer house. At the house, on our downtime, we played games, had movie nights, and planned our next adventures. Those of us at the house generally traveled as a group on the weekends as there are so many things to do and see! I would recommend this program to anyone that is looking for a hands on experience that will impact the children's lives and their lives forever.

I didn't realize what I was getting into. I had a great time and am glad I went but I didn't like the city of Quito at all. You do have to have a god level of Spanish speaking skills in order to talk with anyone. The only people I met who spoke Spanish were the people at IVHQ and the fellow volunteers. You will be staying with a host family who does not speak English. It is hard, but a great experience nonetheless.

I have previously traveled with IVHQ to Kenya and China, but out of the three programs I have participated in, working with UBECI in Quito has been my favorite. Though there are things that could be improved upon from an NGO stand-point, the intent and mission of the UBECI staff and program coordinators is incredible. Jairo and Javier (the group leaders) were amazing with the kids, they always led fun, engaging lessons, and you could tell that they cared very deeply about the kids and their welfare. The kids were so much fun to play with - they were all so happy and so friendly, it was so rewarding to be able to work with them, to teach them, to be examples to them, to play with them, and to learn from them.
With most people, especially with me and the programs I have participated in, I always go in thinking that I am going to do my best to serve the kids and make even the smallest difference in their lives, but after you go home, you realize that the kids made such an impact on you and helped/served you more than you ever thought possible. This stands true for this program - I learned more from working with UBECI than I ever thought possible, and I am eternally grateful for that.

My volunteer trip to Quito, Ecuador in 2 words would be "life changing". I had never heard of IVHQ before and so when it started getting close to when it was time to leave I got a little bit more nervous. A week before my trip I came across a Facebook page for Ecuador IVHQ Program, so I joined it and got to reading on tips from past volunteers and even met volunteers via Facebook who were arriving the same time as me, seeing this eased my nerves. I felt more ready than ever. When I arrived in Quito, Ecuador with my boyfriend and as we walked right through the "exit doors" into the airport lobby there was a man with my boyfriend and I's name on the sign, which was super easy and comforting to see. He took us to our accommodations where our host mom Monica was there to welcome us to our new home for the next 2 weeks and to show us around. They instantly made us feel at home!! We met the volunteers that were living in the Volunteer House as well and we all clicked instantly and were laughing and sharing about ourselves in no time. Monday came along and we had orientation which was super informative and answered any questions we may have had. We also met the IVHQ staff that worked in the offices and everyone was sweet and eager to help us. Tuesday we jumped right in and started volunteering, we met the staff of the organization, UBECI, whom we would be volunteering with for the Street Children project. Everyone in this staff was so sweet and you could tell by the first day they truly cared about the kids and the difference that we were making. I fell in love with all the kids! We would wash their hands, play games with them, and have small interactive lessons with them. The connection that my boyfriend and I made with the kids, staff, and other volunteers was extraordinary. We had become one big family!! And to top it all off the meals that the host families would cook for us were delicious and I still crave them to this day. The time flew by and by the end of the trip the only regret I had was not staying longer. I would 10/10 recommend to anyone who is considering volunteering abroad or in a different country! Can't wait to go back one day! Thank you IVHQ staff and UBECI staff!

I originally went to Ecuador because I needed something to pad my resumé for PhD program admissions. What I got instead was something much more than that. During my time there, I spent most of my days in the NGO Support project, with some days spent in the Street Children project, seeking funding and logistic support for the UBECI Foundation, which seeks to better the lives of underserved and underprivileged children at risk in the capital city of Quito. Not only is the cause a good one, but the organization itself is fantastic. The team takes their charge seriously and they really do make a difference in the lives of the children they serve. It is not an exaggeration to say that they are a godsend. To have been able to work with them was truly an honor, and I expect to be going back some day very soon.

But beyond the work I did, I can happily say that I was satisfied with every aspect of my trip. I planned it through IVHQ, who partners with VCE in-country, and both of them saw to my every need. My accommodation in the Volunteer House with Monica and Byron was an excellent experience. We were well fed, warmly welcomed, and made to feel at home. On top of this, VCE provided many travel opportunities around the city and beyond for decent prices, which I took great advantage of.

All told, the relatively cheap cost of this program along with the excellent work environment and the overall good experience makes this trip ideal for everyone, regardless of your travel or volunteer experience. People of all ages and backgrounds were there, including whole families. I highly recommend you take advantage of this opportunity.

My time in Ecuador was unforgettable. The friends I made, the UBECI staff, and my host family all made my experience something that I will hold in my heart forever. The kids that I volunteered with have taught me far more than I could have ever taught them. My entire outlook on life has changed for the better. I plan on returning to the beautiful country of Ecuador. I would recommend this program to absolutely everyone.

I've just spent 7 weeks In Ecuador, volunteering in administration and working with street kids. I didn't realise how much I do would get to do that I don't get to do in England. From going to the Laundrette, jumping off a bridge, hitchhiking down an extinct volcano, taking a shower with live electric cables heating the water to meeting some amazing people, local and other volunteers! Iy was an absolutely incredible experience and I would highly recommend for anyone who is unsure to take the plunge and fully submerge yourself in the experience.