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

It's a great experience to live with a host family, be immersed in Spanish, and see how other cultures live their lives. I am a teacher and the work UBECI is doing with these socially and economically deprived children is great. You get to help work with the kids on key skills, such as following directions, concept of print, using a pencil etc. It's very rewarding, and a lot of fun.

Overall, my experience with UBECI has been wonderful! The staff and other volunteers are very supportive and the children we work with are so beautiful. I chose to spend two weeks working in the markets with the young children, one week with the 1-3 year olds and the second week with the 7-15 year olds. Every morning the staff would meet us volunteers at the office to head to the market together which I really appreciated. Since we spent about one day a week at each market, it was nice to see more of Quito and the different dynamics of the markets. At the same time, rotating the markets (each market location is only open a couple days a week so no choice) made it difficult to make progress with the children. Coming with parents to sell on a daily basis, some of these children are not in school and receive all their academic training from us. It was hard to repeatedly work with the young children unable to recognize basic shapes and colors we had covered the week before. At the end of the day, I had to look and appreciate the small successes in each child´s life and I am so glad UBECI is there for these children. Not only do they stress learning though books, puzzles, and lessons, they also emphasis hygiene, physical movements, and emotional wellbeing. The staff and volunteers do so much to be loving and present to these children. I highly recommend volunteering with UBECI and enjoyed my experiences in Quito with them!

UBECI is an amazing organization to volunteer with. The program is well structured with concrete goals. After working with the program for 2 months, I can say I really feel like I am making an impact on the children´s life here. I was orginally only going to stay one month with the program but after 3 weeks I decided I wanted to stay longer. I love the program, my wonderful host family and traveling in Ecuador. Everybody is so welcoming and for no matter how long or short you stay(or your level of Spanish) you will feel at home. Our typical day begins in the office with a short meeting on the goals for the week. We then travel by bus to one of the 4 markets we work at. Once arriving we set up tents and gather children from the market. During the first hour of our time with the children we play with them, read books and most importantly give them an opportunity to be kids! After we begin teaching the children various concepts including numbers, shapes and opposites. We then take a break in the afternoon for lunch and work again from 2-4:30. We work Tuesdays-Friday and thus you have plenty of free time to travel during the weekends as well. The children range from the ages of 1-14. So there is certaintly the opportunity to work with the age group you prefer. I usually work with the children from the ages of 4-6 and I really enjoy it. The kids are so full of life and want to get to know you as well. This program and the children in the markets have taught me so much about life and I have gained so much from this experience. I can not recommend this program enough. Ecuador is a unique country to visit and you can make a real difference here. -Lisa Zychowski

I take spanish lessons in the morning, take a two hour break for lunch, then head to work in the market. The organization with which I´m affiliated is UBECI in Quito, Ecuador. I work with kids in markets throughout Quito and it´s a challenge sometimes, and difficult trying to teach the kids things, but it´s a valuable experience and I´m proud to be affiliated with this organization. They do very good things for these kids.

Working with UBECI has been a great experience. Volunteering with market children in Ecuador certainly has its challenges, but every day brings something new. It´s incredibly rewarding to work with children who have so little, and are so appreciative what you bring to the program, be it resources, time, affection or enthusiasm.

The staff at UBECI have been very supportive. They are always willing to listen to your questions and queries, and provide good advice to ensure that you have a safe and enjoyable stay.

Be prepared to work hard - it´s not always easy to have so much enthusiasm every day! Your diet will be very different, you may struggle with the language and you won´t have all of the conveniences of home, but that is the point. You aren´t at home. However the experience that you take home will be one of the most rewarding that you can imagine. I have no problem recommending UBECI as an organisation to volunteer with.

so many priceless memories and beautiful children! i would go back in a heartbeat.
anyone who loves kids and a wants to see a country rich in relatively untouched South American culture would love this program!