Service-Learning: Volunteer Program in Quito, Ecuador

Agency working with elderly people from the street

Private NGO working with adults and elderly people generally living on the streets. Every day they meet at FABC for recreational activities like basic art classes, baking, yoga, and others, as well as for medical assistance. Volunteers assist the teachers at each activity and help organize different social and cultural festivities with them.

Population Served: Elderly people
Areas of Service: Elderly / Recreation / Healthcare

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Art education program

This private NGO runs a special art program for select public schools. The program teaches main subjects using art as teaching methodology. Volunteers collaborate by assisting the children and the artist during their classes and preparing class materials in the office. For working during the class, volunteers must have two specific days off, usually Wednesday and/or Thursday. Preparing class materials can be done during office days and office hours.

Population Served: Low-income primary school children
Areas of Service: Education / Arts / Children & Youth / Teaching/tutoring

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Art program in the public schools

Private NGO that runs special art classes at different public schools with national artists. Volunteers assist the children and artists during the classes and help prepare the class materials.

Population Served: Children
Areas of Service: Arts / Education / Children & Youth

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Daycare center for children of low-income and single-parent families

This is an Episcopal congregation located in Comité del Pueblo, a working-class, largely immigrant (both from within Ecuador and outside) community in northeastern Quito. The congregation runs a small savings-and-loan, a health clinic, and a day care. The health clinic has a variable morning schedule. Volunteers would primarily help in the day care, which serves about 45 children, mostly from low-income and single-parent families. The day care runs from 7:30am to 2pm, Monday to Friday, and volunteers would contribute by teaching, playing with, and taking care of the children.

Population Served: Low-income youth and children
Areas of Service: Education / Childcare / Children & Youth / Teaching/tutoring

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Hospital for children

The hospital was founded in 1920. It is a public hospital, and its mission is to assist poor children of all ages. The main budget comes from the government, but the hosptial also receives donations from the local community. IPSL students can work in the area of health, or the social-work aspects of it, caring for and playing with the ill babies and children.

Population Served: Poor children of all ages
Areas of Service: Healthcare / Childcare

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Organization addressing the needs of street children

This non-profit organization works with communities and families throughout Ecuador to help children, adolescents, and youth who are at-risk. Through education, the organization strives to develop children’s abilities and potential by offering them alternatives to better their quality of life and protect them from the negative influences of life on the street. This is accomplished through a variety of programs including educational assistance, job-skills training, recreational activities, medical attention, and shelters. Volunteers can work at the organization’s various locations throughout Quito. One site, Centro de Referencia la Marín, is an educational center serving approximately 60 children per day in the historic center of Quito. Youth come to play and learn, receive assistance with homework, and engage in recreational activities. Programs for parents and support in maintaining family relations are also provided at the center. Volunteers help children and youth with homework, play games with them, as well as teach basic English at a nearby elementary school, Escuela Mercedes Gonzalez.

Population Served: Street children
Areas of Service: Social services / Education / Children & Youth

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Primary school

The school at the Episcopal Cathedral of El Señor is a small primary school serving about 25 children in seven grade levels. It is located in northern Quito, not far from the airport. The school day runs from 8am to 12:30pm, Monday to Friday. Depending on the interests of the volunteer, there are opportunities to participate in English classes, other academic areas, sports, and possibly school counseling.

Population Served: Low-income primary school children
Areas of Service: Education / Children & Youth / Teaching/tutoring / Recreation / ESL / Counseling

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Private hospital for women and children

This is a public facility offering healthcare services for pregnant adolescents and women of all ages. Patients receive prenatal and pediatric care, psychological support, legal consultation, gynecology and family planning services, as well as health education. Free health care is provided for women throughout pregnancy and for babies up to 5 years of age. The hospital also finances the cost of medicine, vaccinations, and routine examinations for expectant mothers and their babies. Volunteers assist nurses with weighing and measuring pregnant women and babies. They also interview women on their initial visit to the hospital, documenting their health and family history, and schedule follow-up appointments.

Population Served: Low-income women and children
Areas of Service: Healthcare / Counseling / Women's issues

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School for children

Private day care center located at the residence of a neighbor, providing day care for children of low-income families in the surrounding area. The center provides many recreational activities and also some teaching. Volunteers assist in coordinating recreational activities and help with general care of the children.

Population Served: Low-income children
Areas of Service: Education / Recreation / Children & Youth

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School for children with Down’s Syndrome

This is a public municipal school for children with Down’s Syndrome. Volunteers work as teaching assistants in the classes and help with recreational activities.

Population Served: Children with Down’s Syndrome
Areas of Service: Special education / Disabilities / Recreation / Teaching/tutoring / Children & Youth

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School for indigenous children

Founded in 1992, the school strives to give children of all backgrounds and religions a well-rounded education. The students, more than 90 percent indigenous, come from families with limited economic resources, many of whom work in the surrounding streets of Quito’s historic center. Students are encouraged to develop their individual abilities, self-esteem, love for their country and for their ethnic background and also study Spanish, Quechua, and English. The school offers classes through the seventh basic grade level, preparing students to attend a variety of high schools in Quito. Classes are small with an average of 10 students per grade level. Volunteers are utilized to teach English, computer literacy, art, and music. Others serve as teacher aides.

Population Served: “Invasion” or squatter community residents
Areas of Service: Education / Teaching/tutoring

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Schools, nurseries or healthcare centers

This is a world-wide organization whose mission is to assist children, youth and families, providing the necessary infrastructure for the development of the community. It has nurseries, schools and medical centers located in the poorest neighborhoods of the main cities in Ecuador. Its budget comes from local and international donations. IPSL students can work in schools, nurseries, or medical/health centers.

Population Served: Children, youth, and families
Areas of Service: Community development / Education / Childcare / Teaching/tutoring

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service categories

Population Served:
Areas of Service: Disabilities / Arts / Museum / Historic preservation / Elderly / Job training / Human rights / Women's issues / Environment

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Tutoring low-income children in Quito’s historic center

This is a private foundation that helps low-income children by providing guidance and academic support in its afterschool program. The foundation also helps provide food and clothing to the children. Volunteers can help students with their homework and they can also assist in the preparation of their meals.

Population Served: Low-income youth
Areas of Service: Education / Children & Youth / ESL / Teaching/tutoring

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