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Children from all over Ecuador end up in this public
hospital with a range of short and long term medical conditions. You'll
help to keep them cheerful and optimistic during their stay with games
and other activities, as well as providing educational support to those
who've been in hospital a long time. This is a fantastic opportunity to
meet some of Ecuador's bravest children and put a smile back on their
faces!
You'll need a little Spanish to do this project, but
we've got that covered! If you have no knowledge of Spanish at all, you
can combine your project with two weeks of Spanish.
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►SUMMARY
FACTFILE |
| Start Dates |
All year round - you choose your start and finish dates! |
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Duration |
Minimum stay 3 weeks and up to 12 weeks, subject to visa
requirements |
| Requirements |
None, just enthusiasm and energy. You do need a little
Spanish to take part in this project - lessons can be combined
with your project though!
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Price |
Prices range from £895
for 3 weeks to £1,895
for 12 weeks
excluding
Spanish Lessons, staying in our Volunteer House
Prices range from £995
for 3 weeks to £1,995
for 12 weeks including
2 weeks of Spanish Lessons concurrent with your project, staying in
our Volunteer House
►USA:
Prices range from US$1,345 for 3 weeks to US$2,845 for 12 weeks
excluding Spanish Lessons, staying in our Volunteer House
►USA:
Prices range from US$1,495 for 3 weeks to US$2,995 for 12 weeks
including 2 weeks of Spanish Lessons, staying in our Volunteer House
Full Price List and other
Currencies
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| What's included |
►Accommodation
►Meeting you at the Airport
►Transfer to your accommodation
►Full pre-departure support
►Local in-country support
and backup
►24-hr emergency support
►Weekly
Salsa Class and drink in Quito |
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What's not included |
Flights, Insurance,
Cost of Visas (if a visa is required, but we'll provide necessary documents and
assistance), Transport to and from your project, Food (unless living with a host family, when food is provided
Monday - Friday.), Return transfer to
airport |
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Who can do this Project? |
All our projects are
open to all nationalities.
Anyone aged 17 - 70+ |
PROJECT OVERVIEW
In this
large, public hospital in Quito, medical treatment is given to children
from all over Ecuador, many from the poorest families. There are many
sick children, with a range of conditions - most are aged between 0 and
15. Their families often come with them, but due to space limitations,
there's usually only room for one parent to stay.
Within
the hospital, there is a centre for Children called "Ludoteca", which
gives them space to heal from their injuries, and keeps them entertained
during this time - which for many can be a lengthy process. Around 50
children each day visit this area of the hospital for recreational
activities and games. For those children who cannot move or walk by
themselves, activities are taken to them - usually this is done
alongside another person from the hospital staff.
WHAT YOU'LL GAIN FROM DOING THIS PROJECT:
The enormous satisfaction of helping disadvantaged children and
knowing that you made a difference to them.
New skills, more confidence, a greater understanding
of a different culture, invaluable personal and professional
development.
An entry on your CV or résumé that will put you head
and shoulders above most others in the job market
And best of all ... an unforgettable experience!
YOUR WORK
It will be reward enough just to see the smiles on the faces of the
children that you work with. Unfortunately the children in the hospital
are from underprivileged backgrounds and have not had the best start in
life. You will help to be their ray of sunshine, by lavishing attention
on them and taking the time to play games you'll help all the children
to forget their injuries.
As well as going to "Ludoteca" to help with recreational activities
and games, you'll pay particular attention to any children who have been
in the hospital a long time. Often these children miss a large part of
their school education, and so need help with basic tutoring and
where possible, some English lessons. If you wish to, there will also be plenty of
opportunities to interact in Spanish, with either the children or their
parents. If there are any other educational activities you wish to work
on with the children, please do not be afraid to ask your project
coordinator. The hospital is grateful of any help you can give them, so
if you have a special talent please do not be afraid to share it with
the children.
This
placement is very intensive as you will be working with some severely
disabled and disadvantaged children, which can be distressing. It is
frustrating to see the lack of social services and aids for disabled
children that there are, in comparison to a developed country. But
because of this, it means that your work is even more important. You may
feel like in your normal day-to-day volunteering you are not really
'helping' but please rest assured that a minimal amount of effort on
your part brings a great deal of happiness into the lives of the
children you'll be working with. Ecuadorian culture does differ to that
of your home country, and therefore things may work slower on your
project than you are used to. It is always wise to remember that by
showing a little initiative and the more effort you put into the
placement, the more fantastic it will be!
WORKING HOURS:
Work is available between 8:30am - 4:30pm, Monday to Friday,
either for the full day or for a 3 - 4 hour period. There is plenty of
flexibility, depending on your preferences: the staff will be delighted
to have an extra pair of hands. Just discuss on arrival with your
project coordinator the times that you wish to work.
SPANISH LESSONS:
If you have no previous knowledge of Spanish, your project will include
2 weeks of Spanish lessons at a fantastic and very well-established
Spanish school in Quito. For the first week of your project, you will
have 4 hours of group Spanish classes in the morning and will work at
the project in the afternoon. For the second week of your project you
will have 2 hours of private Spanish lessons . On the third and fourth
weeks of your projects, your Spanish will be brilliant and you won't
need Spanish classes so will spend all the time at your project!! (Of
course, if you wish we can arrange for you to continue with your Spanish
classes - please see the prices page for the supplemental cost for
this.)
All the teachers at the school have taught Spanish for 8 or more
years and between them they have developed a great many resources to
make the lessons lively and fun. They also periodically organise
interesting and enjoyable activities in order to introduce the
Ecuadorian and Latin culture to their students - most recently they've
been cooking Ecuadorian dishes in classes! It's a great, fun way to
learn!
LOCATION:
The hospital is located just a short walk from the Mariscal area of Quito.
The Mariscal area is the commercial district, with cosmopolitan
nightlife, bars and restaurants. Quito is a wonderful city, with a
population of 2.4 million inhabitants. It is full of exciting history to
explore, which is easier to find than in most cities as the most
important dates in Ecuadorian history are in the street names - you'll
come across 10 de Agosto street, 12 de Octubre street and 6 de Diciembre
street. You then just have to find out what happened on those dates!
There is always something to
do in Quito, whether you'd like to experience some culture or join in
with the cosmopolitan, modern way of life, there is always something to
do or somewhere to visit. Cultural highlights include the old town, the
cable car and the equator, along with a multitude of museums and monuments.
Modern highlights include a range of shopping malls, a zoo, an ice
skating rink, and plenty of restaurants and bars serving wonderful
cocktails and tasty food -
you'll find anything from traditional Ecuadorian cuisine to Thai and
Italian!
Quito is very easy to get
around. You can either use the buses, trolley buses or taxis, which are
all very cheap and easily accessible.
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Got any questions? Please
email us:
info@travellersworldwide.com
Enhance your Programme with some exciting activities:
Got any questions? Please
email us:
info@travellersworldwide.com
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