Volunteering Abroad on a Care Project in Ecuador

• Placement locations: San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands
• Types of care projects: Special needs schools, kindergartens
• Age of children: 0 - 18
• Number of people cared for:
  10 - 15
• Role: Assisting with local staff including playing with children, basic teaching and giving general help
• Accommodation: Host families
• Price: From £1295
• What’s included? Food, accommodation, transfers, insurance, personal webpage, induction and orientation, 24/7 support, social activities
• What’s not included? Flights, visa costs, spending money
• Length of placement: From one month
• Start dates: Flexible

As a volunteer on a Care project in Ecuador you have an important role to play, whether you are on a gap year or career break looking for some experience in development work, or as a trained professional offering us the benefit of your experience. Everybody is welcomed, provided you are willing to work hard and be committed to the role and to the children you are there to help.

Projects Abroad volunteers work with special needs centres and kindergartens in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the island of San Cristobal on the Galapagos Islands. The Galapagos Islands receive many tourists interested in the amazing wildlife, but the local children are often given less attention.

Volunteer Care Work in the Galapagos Islands

In whichever volunteer care project you find yourself, you need to be ready for a challenge. Many of the children may have had difficult lives and will have a variety of needs. At the special needs centre there will be some children with health problems and who require special attention due to disabilities like Downs Syndrome or visual impairments. Your role is to help improve their lives in whatever way possible.

The care work is often quite varied; it may involve practical care activities like washing and dressing the children, or playing games, sports and helping older children with their homework. You may even want to take a group out on a trip. Projects Abroad will support you in any way that we can.

Helping with basic education in the kindergartens is also important. Volunteers at these placements assist with interactive activities that enhance the growth and development of the children.

All volunteers on Teaching and Care placements in Ecuador now have the opportunity to add a 7-Day Conservation Project to the end of their main placement. For more information visit our 7-Day Ecuador Conservation Project page.