Who Should Volunteer:

We are currently looking for volunteers to fill the roles of teacher, organizers and counselors in our classrooms, to help out with local recruiting and fundraising, and to contribute to the general development of the Bruce Ecuador program. While Spanish language ability is a huge plus, it is not a requirement and volunteers of all ability levels are welcome. Length of stay is not important; however, long term volunteers are an integral part of our foundation’s success.

Bruce Ecuador was established in the spring of 2006 and is still in the expansion and development stage. To date, we have opened two centers in and around Quito that provide classes and emotional support to numerous students previously excluded from the public school system. We are currently looking to enhance the existing centers and expand our project into other areas of the city. Our organization thrives on the energy and motivation of volunteers therefore individuals are encouraged to apply their unique skills, strengths and interests to enhance our organization and our classrooms. So, if you are motivated, creative, team- oriented and excited about putting your own spin on our program, Bruce Ecuador will prove to be a rewarding experience.

Volunteer Experience:

Volunteers are lodged in a comfortable three bedroom apartment in the safe part of Quito, close to Mariscal, which is an active area where you can find the majority of restaurants, shops, and bars, as well as local artisan markets, Spanish schools, salsatechs, and city parks.

Day in the life:

- A typical volunteer day begins with a breakfast.t.
-This is followed by a trip to one of our two centers: Las Casas in Northern Quito and Santo Domingo in the South City.
- In the afternoon we return to our volunteer base to have a lunch or volunteer can eat in local restaurants.
- In the afternoon, from 2pm to 5pm, volunteers can take a Spanish classes with our excellent Ecuadorian teacher
- In the afternoon, from Monday to Thursday, from 5pm till 7pm, we teach English classes to local adults and children
- Off days / afternoons are spent by organizing fundraisers, researching areas for new centers, buying school supplies, and recruiting local children and volunteers.
- We have a weekly dinner schedule in the evening, so everyone can participate and cook measl according to your taste
- weekends and most evenings are free to explore the country and the natural surroundings and experience the culture of this beautiful city..

Once a month we run fundraisers at Bungalow 6, a local bar in the Mariscal district of Quito (please see our “Fundraising / Events” tab for details). We are currently developing additional fundraising projects and plan to establish a regular game / trivia night at one of the local pubs.

Testimonials:

"The time that I have spent with the children so far has been indescribable.  Every child has so much potential and personality, it´s hard to believe that they haven´t been given a chance at an education.  My decision to come here has changed my life, and hopefully helped at least one child to a future of their own.  I will never forget these kids and every one of their smiles." - Sarah Baratta

How to Get Involved:

There are two options in terms applying to volunteer with Bruce Ecuador:

1) Volunteers may apply directly to the Bruce Organization (Volunteer Application) and pay the volunteer fees at least one month in advance of their arrival in Quito.

2) Volunteers who are planning on traveling through Ecuador and cannot give an exact arrival date or who are looking for more flexibility in their schedule may contact our Bruce Ecuador operation directly by: emailing an application form and basic travel plans to info@volunteerecuador.net; or, if you would prefer to converse via phone, you may contact our local liaison, (and parent NGO) Agenda SOS International, .at their latin American headquarters in Trujillo, Peru +51 44 949924445 - We can normally give you a Quito cell number for the current project coordinator.

Volunteers are asked to pay a fee:

First 3 Months           €360 / month
Second 3 Months      €290 / month ...(Note: in order to take advantage of these discounts -
After 6 Months          €150 / month ....volunteers must pay their entire fee prior to arrival.)

Visa Information:

Visa requirements vary depending on your country of citizenship, for details please visit your local Ecuadorian embassy. For U.S. and British volunteers staying in Ecuador for three months or less, no visa is required. For those staying up to six months, you most either apply for a six month tourist visa or simply request an extension of your three month stamp once in Quito. For those staying longer than six months, you must apply for a volunteer visa and may contact us directly at info@volunteerecuador.net for information on this process.