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Vad ingår?

Längd

15 dagar

Börjar i

Quito

Avslutas i

Quito

This project aims to help children, youth and adults who live on the streets of Quito. The main objective is to give people hope for their future, supporting them by providing a place to eat, a change of clothes, and a shower. Younger children are encouraged to go to school and get support with their homework at the project in the afternoons. This project offers training courses, health care, nutritional support, sex education and is always in need of volunteers to assist with their many activities.

Sinsoluka is a non-profit organization for children who live or have lived on the streets of Quito. The name Sinsoluka means ´without glue´, derived from the fact that a lot of people living on the streets of Quito are addicted to drugs and/or sniff glue because it is the cheapest drug they can afford. The project was created by two psychologists whose aim is not only to help the children but also their parents. This project has helped a lot of families get off the streets, find somewhere to live and when possible a job. And most importantly the project is now in its second phase of working with the children of the original street dwellers.

Today the center helps over 250 children and their families, although they do not all come to the center at the same time. In the morning around 30 children in the ages 10 till 15 come to Sinsoluka and in the afternoon another 70 children in the ages 4 till 12 come to the center. All children receive a nutritious lunch at the center and they have to brush their teeth afterwards. Many of these children have had a bad start to life such as being born to drug addicted parents, living on the streets, subjected to violence, abuse or neglect, made to work selling sweets in the street etc. The aim is to stress the importance of education as a way of breaking the circle and ensuring that these children do not fall for the same way of life and temptations that their parents did before them. With the help of funding and sponsors, the project pays to send the children to school and help out with any costs that the family may not be able to cover like school uniforms, books, materials etc.

It also provides help and support to the children’s families who come from poor, vulnerable and often broken backgrounds. One of the main problems facing those who have left behind their addictions and life on the street is finding employment due to their lack of education and skills. As a result, the project has created a carpentry work shop as well as a bakery that young people and adults can come and receive training and various courses.

Volunteer Activities
The volunteers work in the center with the children who either go to school in the morning or in the afternoon. The volunteers are mainly assistants and educators; apart from giving the children many hugs and much attention, these are some of the tasks

- Help children with their homework (children are often behind in school and do not have a quiet space to do their homework, or have parents who are not capable of helping them at home so volunteers are a great help in this area).
- Help in the kitchen, especially during lunch time which can be very chaotic and busy. The staff need help assisting the youngest children and make sure they clean up after themselves.
- Help in the carpentry workshop (when necessary)
- School visits (the center needs to keep a check on the children enrolled at school and regularly visit the local schools to ask about a certain child’s attendance, grades, ability etc.)
- Prepare educational activities
- Prepare recreational activities to be carried out when the children finish their homework or during their breaks
- Assist in hygiene education, such as hand washing and brushing teeth
- Supervise and assist children when they are allowed to use the computer room for their homework
- Anything that may arise, e.g. taking someone to a doctor’s appointment or dentist

The more hard work you put into the project the more reward you get! Show initiative, work independently and don’t be afraid of working hard. They need all the help you can give them.

Resrutt

You working week is Monday to Friday. You can work from 09:00 until 16:30. Discuss with your volunteer coordinator and the staff if you will work full days or half days and what the possibilities are. You will have your weekends free to explore Quito and the surrounding areas.

The project is located in the historic center of Quito. You will have to catch a bus to the project - it will take you approximately 30 minutes to reach the center. Cost of bus is not included, and is at your own expense.

This is a tough project so please be patient, your volunteer work is extremely valuable and helps to keep the project running. You will learn a lot and at times you may get frustrated with the way things work in Ecuador. Organization and the pace at which things run may be very different to what you are used to but please take into account that these are cultural differences that you should respect. Show initiative that you are willing to work hard, be happy and motivated and you will get the most out of you time as a volunteer!

Although it is not necessary, it is highly appreciated if you bring donations with you like children’s clothes, shoes. And also educational or recreational play material would always be welcome.

The project is closed on the following public holidays in 2019:

01-05 March: Carnaval
18-21 April: Easter
03-05 May: Labor Day
23-26 May: Pichincha Battle
08-11 August: Ecuadorian Independence
19 August-01 September: Project Closed
10-13 October: Independence of Guayaquil
31 October-04 November: All Souls and Independence Cuenca
24-26 December: Christmas

Minimum age of 18
Police Clearance Certificate
All foreigners entering Ecuador are obliged to have a valid health insurance
Basic English.
Basic Spanish is an advantage, but not required

If you have the time, we highly recommend starting with an Introduction Week in Quito so you will go well prepared to your project. This first week gives you an idea about life in Ecuador, shows highlights of the city and its surroundings, includes 20 hours of Spanish Group lessons, an in-depth volunteer preparation including language specifics, and other fun elements such as a private salsa lesson, a city tour, and visit to the Equator.

Saturday: Airport transfer and accommodation in Student House in Quito
Sunday: Free day
Monday: 4 hours of Spanish Classes. Afternoon homework time. Welcome cocktail in afternoon.
Tuesday: 4 hours of Spanish Classes. Afternoon homework time. 1 hour of private Salsa classes in afternoon.
Wednesday: 4 hours of Spanish Classes. 2 hours of practical volunteer introduction with Spanish terminology according to project chosen.
Thursday: 4 hours of Spanish Classes (eg. Market visit, museum visit, etc.) to use the Spanish language in a practical situation. Afternoon homework time.
Friday: 4 hours of Spanish Classes. 2 hours city tour through the Old Town of Quito with a Spanish teacher.
Saturday: All-day tour to Cotopaxi.
Sunday: Start of volunteer work program.

If you would like to continue Spanish lessons after your introduction week, then you can also choose to add 10 hours of private Spanish Lessons per week whilst your volunteering. You will receive two hours of private Spanish lessons from 08:00-10:00, and then participate in the volunteer project afterwards.

Volunteers need to be flexible and keep an open mind concerning their placements as situations can arise beyond our control which could require you to be placed at a different project than the one you have initially chosen. We will of course always do our utmost to fulfill your initial wishes but do remember that where you are going is quite different from where you are coming and as such one should be prepared for things not always going according to plan.

Volunteering and intercultural travel share a common trait: the more you put into it, the more you get out of it. This program is designed for proactive individuals and groups that are prepared to adapt to the local environment and its current needs. Naturally, the scheduling and activities of our program are subject to change. Alterations in activities are mainly due to changes in local conditions, which we believe is part of what makes overseas programs the interesting adventure and incredible learning experience that they are.

Our projects range from 1 week up to approx. 30 weeks. Projects have a specified minimum stay, then it’s up to you how long you can commit. In our experience the longer you stay the more you will gain, as your understanding of the project broadens and you take on more responsibilities. Every volunteer will be given a certificate of appreciation at the end of their stay as a symbol of volunteering stay.

Sammanfattning

You can choose between a private room at homestay accommodation or shared (twin or triple room) accommodation at our volunteer house.

Homestay
Staying with a host family is a great way to put your Spanish into practice in daily conversation and also to experience the everyday life of a middle class Ecuadorian family. You will be provided with your own room, receive three meals a day on weekdays and one laundry load a week.

Volunteer House
The volunteer house is located in the lively neighbourhood La Mariscal. Surrounded by restaurants and bars, there is enough to do in the area to not get bored! But our house is comfortable as well: a spacious living room with a TV, DVD and a comfy sofa, a big table to eat with all your housemates and a great kitchen that is fully equipped for you to cook your meals.

This project is available with or without an arrival transfer from Quito Airport to your accommodation. Arrival transfer is included with the Intro Week, if you choose that option.

How to Get to the Project:
On your first day a coordinator will accompany you to the project. The project is located in the historic centre of Quito and it takes 30 mins by bus to get there from the volunteer house. The bus costs USD 0.25.

3 meals a day during weekdays are included if you choose the homestay option, otherwise self-catering.

Please don’t give money directly to co-workers, children or their family, but talk to our volunteer coordinator about how to most wisely invest it in the project.

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Volunteer at a Centre for Street Children

Volunteer at a Centre for Street Children