6 weeks NGO support (street children) - Quito

I spent 6 weeks on NGO support in Quito, Ecuador working alongside UBECI, a local NGO established since 1999, aiming to eliminate child labour by providing educational programs to children in south Quito markets, encouraging them to develop an interest in learning, as well as cognitive/social skills, so that they'll be better equipped for life.

Volunteers in the NGO support/admin role primarily assist the Director in a variety of daily tasks, depending on what the organization's needs are - translation, videography, report-writing, fundraising, social media, business strategy planning, improving financial accountability etc It is recommended that volunteers have a basic level of Spanish, in order to communicate effectively. It would also be hugely beneficial to have some work experience, and/or fundraising/grant-writing/international relations background, as volunteers are expected to come together, share ideas/past experiences and collaborate. As a finance professional, I assisted the Director in reviewing their budget tracking process, financial statements, wrote a donor report, and drafted a framework for improving accountability.

Working hours are 830AM - 430PM from Tuesdays to Fridays. We have the weekends and Mondays off, and it's really easy & cheap to travel out of town, or just spend a day walking about the historical old town, visit museums, people-watch at the Plaza, and enjoying the many culinary delights scattered around the city. Quito is very safe for tourists and generally it's more convenient to take Uber (personal preference).

For accommodation, I opted for a homestay. You'll definitely get a more 'local' experience living with a family. Breakfast and dinner are included, even on weekends if you're staying in. The best part is our home is located a mere 2-minute walk from the office. Cheap lunch options are plenty nearby, and there's a huge mall (El Recreo) with a cinema and supermarket.