Ecuador

Hi.

I recently went to Quito, Ecuador to volunteer at school for kids ranging from the ages of 2 to 5 years old. This was my first time traveling to Ecuador, let alone South America; this was also my first time traveling alone. Initially, when I left the US I was very nervous about adjusting to a whole new country, with people I did not know and a language I did not understand. However, by the end of my trip I had fallen in love with Ecuador and the kids at the school.

When I registered to volunteer through RCDP, I was given the option to stay with a host Ecuadorian family or at a hostel. Of course, I chose to stay with an Ecuadorian family to get the full experience and it was one of the best decisions I made. The family was extremely personable, sweet and helpful. They cooked amazing food and the house was very clean at all times.

The coordinator in Ecuador ensured that I was picked up from the airport and routinely asked if I was doing okay. At the school, I helped the teachers with the kids lunch, getting them cleaned up after lunch, taught them a little English here and there and mostly spent a lot of time playing with them and consoling them if they were upset or got hurt playing. The kids were an absolute delight to be around.

I would return to Ecuador again and volunteer through RCDP.