Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life.
SOCIAL-ECONOMIC VOLUNTEERING: The social capital represented by volunteering plays a key role in social/ economic regeneration.
Some samples of Social-Economic Volunteering:
- Workshops on women and children’s rights
- Care of disabled children
- Psychological family counseling
- Workshops on self-esteem (specifically aimed at young mothers)
- Development of recreational spaces
- Workshops for parents (pot lucks, self-esteem, nutrition)
EDUCATION/ TUTORING VOLUNTEERING: There are many opportunities available in the Ecuadorian school system for volunteers to contribute, specially if you have a specific skill or trade.
Benefits for schools: Provided with additional service without having to have added costs, A positive relationship between the community and the school can be nurtured.
Benefits for volunteers: A sense of personal satisfaction, Ability to meet new people and develop new friendships.
Benefits for students: Students are given a positive role model, Educational success is encouraged and improved.
Some samples of Educational Volunteering:
- Teaching a foreign language (other than Spanish) in public primary and high schools
- Math classes and tutoring
- Art, music, theater, sports, etc. with emphasis on solidarity, good treatment, and rights
- Reading motivation for children 3 years and older
- Care for the environment
- Personal motivation to teachers and parents
MEDICAL VOLUNTEERING: Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work in, such as medicine. Others volunteer on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a natural disaster. Either way, you can make a difference in the lives of those you meet and help while volunteering in Ecuador.
Some samples of Medical Volunteering:
- Practice general medicine in hospitals and health centers located in urban or rural areas
- Lend medical attention to children suffering from prevalent childhood diseases (diarrhea, respiratory infections, etc.)
- Health workshops to promote nutritional values and the prevention of infectious diseases.
- Hygiene workshops to develop healthy practices
- Attention to emergency and urgent cases
AGRICULTURAL/ ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEERING: It refers to volunteers who contribute towards agricultural sustainability and environmental management. Volunteers conduct a range of activities including agricultural production, agronomy environmental monitoring, ecological restoration such as re-vegetation and weed removal, and educating others about the natural environment.
Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science
Some samples of Agricultural/ Environmental Volunteering:
- Farming practices consulting
- Soil evaluation and classification
- Crop rotation and irrigation methods
- Environmentally friendly weed and insect control
- Optimization of production and commercialization
- Replanting of natural species
- Ecoturism & organic based produce
- Workshops on implementing Permaculture practices
NOTE: Suggestions for future volunteering programs not mentioned above are welcomed. A basic understanding of Spanish will be required.
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