Volunteer in Formal & Non-Formal Education with Fundación VASE in Ecuador

Of course the first time is a great change because you get in touch with a new culture, everything is exciting and sometimes it's also hard to adapt to a new system. But you can learn so much and find new ways to manage things. This makes it to a really great experience.
I work in a Highschool, the teachers give me a lot of freedom with the kids, so we can play games, sing songs or do different exercises in English. I really enjoy working with them and it makes me happy when I realize they are making progress in their english skills.

I have an amazing experience here in Ecuador. I live in Quito right now and work in a Casa familia, which is a house where children live that can’t live with their parents, because the have problems with alcohol or drugs, are abusive or don’t live anymore. In my work I help the children with homework or do other activities with them and I really enjoy it. Especially with VASE it’s great, because if you have a problem you can always go to them and they’ll help you. No matter if it’s a problem with your host family (if you live in one) or your project where you work.

I am working in two indigenous communities outside of Otavalo. In these communities I‘m teaching English and support the other teachers during other classes as well.

The advantage of my project is, that I live for three days a week with a host family in one of the communities. This way, I can experience their day to day life.
The other days I live together with other volunteers in an apartment in Otavalo, which allows me to not be as disconnected as in the community and travel the country on the weekends. This allows me to enjoy a part of everything.

Working in one of Vases educational projects, a small school in a suburb of quito, I have really learned a lot. Not only have I improved my spanish but I have also got to know a different teaching method and the culture of ecuador. In the school we celebrate all the different festivities and by talking to the children you learn more about differences inside of the families and how everyone lives so you get a better overall picture of ecuadors people. The school is full of nice and helpful people, as the kods are the number one priority.

Can fully recommend a year in Ecuador. I have such a great time here and made personal growth in new experiences everyday. I live in a hostfamily and can improve my Spanish and learn more about the ecuadorian culture.
At work I assist in english classes at a school for kids from vulnerable families. My work is isn't that hard but don't expect it to be a picnic.
Personally I would recommend my project „Proyecto Salesiano" to a person that is advanced in speaking spanish, because the students mostly aren't able to understand any english

I am thoroughly enjoying the experience of living in Cañar and being part of the PRIMOK project. Cañar is a small indigenous community where I learn a LOT about what it's like to live on agriculture and selling products on the daily market; The cities Azogues and Cuenca, where I take dancing lessons and go out at night, are only a one-hour bus ride away. So I'm getting the best of both worlds!
Working for PRIMOK, I take on the role of an English teacher. Although I am not a qualified educator, PRIMOK appreciates me for my motivation to learn while teaching, my intuitive understanding of the kids' needs and my fluent English. My fellow teachers are volunteers from all around the globe whose age ranges from eighteen to sixty; The high diversity of our team results in enriching interpersonal exchange. What we all share: high motivation to improve the project! I highly recommend PRIMOK for curious volunteers with good English skills who enjoy working with kids and adolescents. Cañar may be your place to go if you are unafraid of experiencing a little culture shock, a mountain lover and/or a foodie: The Indígenas' affection is generally expressed through generosity in offering tons of delicious foods.

Ecuador is a completly different county than Germany. And i am glad that it is, otherwise i wouldn't have learned so much about me. Also it got me out of my comfort Zone, which helped me grow more as a Person. Vase is a great Organisation, they are Always there for you when you need them. I would consider them more helpful than my Organisation in Germany.
I also really Like how different the whole country is. From the dschungle over the mountains to the beach, you can experience a lot here. Also i have Made some great friends who i really like

I am a german volunteer with VASE and working in a primary school in Quito with two more volunteers.

I live in a very kind and integrating host family in Quito, approximately one hour from my project by bus. In the project I support the English teacher and teach music and arts. The primary school has about 200 students in the age between three and twelve years.
Although the project is sometimes a little bit spontanious with decisions and the children are often noisy in class, it's rewarding to see the children being happy and kind to you.
Next to our usual work schedule we sometimes attend to special celebrations on the weekend, e.g. a football cup (picture) or traditional festivities.
Due to the excellent ubication of Quito and Ecuador being a small country you can easily use weekends and vacation days to explore all the amazing nature and cities of Ecuador (coast, amazon rain forest, sierra and Galapagos).

All in all, I really recommend doing a volunteer service with VASE in the formal educational sector because of the rewarding work, the numerous possibilities you have in your free time and because you can really learn a lot about yourself and the ecuadorian culture.