VOLUNTEER PROGRAM

Volunteering and working ¡n an ¡nternational organization ¡s a great way to practice and improve your Spanish skills in real life situations. In addition to help créate a better society you can use this invaluable working experience to enhance your resume and bring different perspectives and skills to your future employers, universities, projects, career, etc.
 

Once your Spanish has reached a high enough level (usually 50-80 lessons), you can take a Volunteer or Internship program ranging from 4 to 24 weeks. This intemship or volunteer position is usually unpaid. You will use your Spanish skills ¡n real business life, or while you help at foundations, schools, hospitals, agricultura! projects, travel agencies, or environmental projects. This program is available all year round.

PROJECTS

Here is a sample list of the projects we currently work with, and a brief description of each one. After receiving an application, resume, and letter of interest, ORDEX will match the volunteer with an organization and send the placement for the student's approval. ORDEX will make every effort to match volunteers with their current interests, although placement in their first choice of interest ¡s not guaranteed.

• Child care
• Arts
• Social Work
• Red Cross

 

Organization: Centro Los Niños de la Calle
Nature of the Institution: This is a private organization supported by UNESCO that provides counseling and support for street children and their families to enable the children to return home. The organization works within the public school system as well as directly with the children in the streets. They also provide temporary homes for the children. The Centro is located in the northern part of Quito.

Responsibilities: There are two types of positions available. Those with Social Work or Psychology specializations can help the regular full time staff with counseling for the children. Those without specific qualifications can help in areas such as administration, homework activities, and general care of the children.

 

Organization: Sala de Artes Kingman or Guayasamín
Nature of the Institution: A privately funded art museum located in the commercial part of Quito. It promotes understanding and knowledge of modern art. The exhibits are mainly works by Guayasamín and Kingman. There is also a section displaying pre -Inca works. Guided tours are offered as well as art related lectures.

Responsibilities: Those volunteers who are professional artists can give art classes to children and adults, other volunteers are needed to talk about art to children and encourage their participation in museum activities. Translators are needed for correspondence and logging from the guest book. Also, help is needed in recruiting and training local volunteers.

 

Organization: Salinas de Bolívar Community
Nature of the Organization : This is a project created to develop the community of Salinas, a very small town, located in the Andean Región (Approx. 4 hrs from Quito), where different kind of small businesses have been created with the collaboration of volunteers from all over the world.

Responsibilities: The volunteers will help the community members perfomning activities in the following áreas:

Cheese and chocolate elaboration, small factory on site.
English teaching for community people.
Wool sweaters confection and handicrafts.
Help in feeding and caring for the animals.
Tourism and marketing development

Accommodation: This service will be provided by the community. Depending on the number of volunteers and season of the year, you will live on site or at a volunteer family.

 

 

Organization: International Red Cross – Ecuador
Nature of the Institution: Its mission is the promotion of social programs including: education, health prevention, basic infrastructure and the general well-being for poor communities.

The International Red Cross offers the following areas for volunteers:

Assistance to the health and dental department.
English teaching for the children in the communities
Therapists and laboratory assistants.

Responsibilities: Volunteers can work in the area where they express most interest or where their skills are most needed. The work mainly involves interaction with local communities in different projects close to Quito.

The Organization develops projects in various areas; therefore volunteers can get advantage of this great opportunity. Mobilization is given by the Red Cross during their visits out of the city

 

 

 

 

THE PROGRAM INCLUDES:

 

2 weeks (25 lessons a week) of Spanish lessons.
Books and/or educational materials.
Accommodation with selected host families (14 meals a week).
Orientation at the beginning of the program.
Placement in a local Organization or company.
Evaluation tests on arrival and continuous assessment tests.
Support. advice and personal assistance for the entire stay
Certificate at the end of your program.
Excursions to the jungle. beaches. mountains, plus many other activities at cost.
Airport transfer free of charge on your arrival at Quito.

 

 

" We strive to assure you get the best possible experience"

 

 

 

 

 

 

INCLUDES:

 

 

2 weeks Spanish lessons one-to-one 4 hours per day.
4 weeks of Conservation project in the Amazon region.
6 week host family or hostel accommodation for the group.
21 meals per week in all locations.
Transportation: Transfer in from airport to family or hostel, transportation from Quito to the project in the Amazon region, transportation from Amazon project back to Quito family or hostel, transfer out from Quito family or hostel to airport.
ORDEX coordinator to bring the group and settle them at the Amazon project
ORDEX coordinator to bring the group back from the Amazon to Quito.
Local support and coordination throughout the 6 week program.

 

 

" We strive to assure you get the best possible experience"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Does not include:

Transportation: Local transportation in Quito from host family to Spanish school and back.
Additional snacks, drinks or meals.
Departure tax (25USD) to be paid at the airport.

If you, your group, or organizations would like to take part of a similar experience as this one please do not hesitate to contact us for personalized help.