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Social Development Program in a Beach Community

Don Juan, Pedernales, Ecuador

Social Development Program in a Beach Community

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Trip Highlights

Work for a meaningful social cause and improve the lives of the most vulnerable population – girls, women, and teenagers - in northern Manabí
Volunteer for eradicating social violence, decrease adolescent pregnancy, promote gender equity, etc
Opportunity to spend at least 2 amazing weeks and live in a lovely authentic fisher’s village
Get to know more about the culture and lifestyle of the people living in this part of the world
Meet some amazing travelers from across the world

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Overview Program Requirements Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities Volunteer Work Schedule Living Costs Dates Reviews

Overview

Being a volunteer for this Social Development Program in Ecuador, you'll not only be able to make a difference in the lives of girls, women, and teenagers but also spread happiness while empowering them. By providing formal and informal education, you can motivate these people to dream bigger and fulfill them. As they say, an educated society is capable of fighting against all odds!

The main focus of this program is to provide a harmonious society for the most vulnerable population in northern Manabí, through eradication of violence, decrease adolescent pregnancy, ensuring gender equity and female leadership as well as spreading environmental awareness. You can also teach sports or arts, opening up healthy opportunities for the women in this society.

The project is located in the lovely and authentic fisher’s village Don Juan in Jama, located about 190 km west of Quito, Ecuador's capital.

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project, and must be ready to commit at least 2 weeks for this program. You need to have an open mind and a flexible attitude for working with the locals. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Participants must be fit and healthy at the time of joining the program and should be prepared to work outdoors and get their hands dirty. Participants should have no criminal convictions and should provide a clean criminal background check report. Knowledge of at least basic Spanish language will be preferable.

Volunteer Roles & Responsibilities

As a volunteer for the social development program, your tasks might vary as per need. However, some of the common tasks would be:

Helping create an organic garden
Supporting education organizing activities with sport/art/music/theater, reading English book for the kids
Conversations with kids & teenagers about their dreams and motivating them to achieve their goals
Clean beaches from garbage with the kids & teenagers
Create activities regarding recycle

Volunteer Work Schedule

Volunteers generally work for 4 to 5 hours a day, Monday to Friday. Weekends are free.While the volunteer work schedule may vary as per needs, here's a rough itinerary to give you a basic idea:

Day 1 - Sunday - Arrival day in Pedernales bus station where our Project Coordinator will be waiting for you to take you to the project (20 minutes away) and will give a first introduction of the village.

Day 2 - Monday - On Monday, the work schedule of the week will be defined (which will vary), Work can be related to organizing a class for the kids, or helping to create an organic garden.

Day 3 to Day 6 - Tuesday to Friday - Again, your work will depend on the need, but mostly you'll be assisting the coordinators with activities from the center such as put in order the books, paint walls, and prepare the material for the classes. Support with the education organizing activities with sport/art/music/theater, reading English books for the kids, etc.

Days 7 & Day 8 - Saturday-Sunday - Weekends are free for you so that you can enjoy going to the beach, playing soccer or beach volleyball with the coordinators and other volunteers. You can also go for a short trip.

Day 9 - Monday - Your work schedule will be defined on Monday. You might have to work with the locals in setting up a library for the kids, or engage the women in some livelihood activities.

Days 10 to Day 13 - Tuesday to Friday - Work will continue as per assignment.

Day 14 - Saturday - Last day of your program and time to bid goodbye to all or continue with the program for more weeks.

Living

Volunteering Solutions is an established name for volunteering placements abroad. We ensure that all our accommodation and living standards match the requirements and comfort levels of our volunteers.

Airport and Project Transfer

Volunteers would be picked up from the Mariscal Sucre International Airport by the VolSol staff or the in-country coordinator. Volunteers who are already present in Quito can arrive directly at the hostel accommodation.

After arrival on the next day, participants travel to the project location by bus. The ride from Quito to Pedernales city takes between 5 and 6 hours. Upon arrival in Pedernales, the project coordinator will meet and escort you to the village of Don Juan.

Accommodation

Upon arrival in Quito, volunteers are provided accommodation for a night at a hostel.. After transfer to the project participants stay at the volunteer residence at the Intercultural Center in Don Juan. It is a beautiful bamboo house, with 2 rooms and the kitchen is fully equipped. The bathroom and bedroom are very comfortable too.

Orientation

The local coordinator will provide a basic orientation and help you with the arrangements for your bus ride from Quito to Pedernales on the Pacific Coast (around 5 hours). On-site, the program staff will introduce the volunteer to the project and the local project staff and help with basic induction.

Meals

Volunteers are provided with three meals during the program in Don Juan. Only breakfast is included in the accommodation in hostel in Quito.

During your Free Time

Don Juan has breathtaking beaches where you can walk for hours.In your free time, you can visit the impressive nature reserve LaloLoor, go to the vibrant coast village Canoa or enjoy enacting with the locals and relax.

Dates

2023

2024

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December

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February

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June

July

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October

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December

Past Date

Available

Unavailable

Filling Fast

Costs

2 Weeks $798

3 Weeks $938

4 Weeks $1078

5 Weeks $1218

6 Weeks $1358

7 Weeks $1498

8 Weeks $1638

Extra Week $145

Please Note: -An application fee of $229 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment. (A 4% international banking fee is charged at the time of payment)

What are you Paying for?

24 hrs Assistance and support from staff
Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
Quito Airport Pickup
One night hostel stay in Quito
Orientation
Assistance in arrangement of transfer from Quito to Don Juan
Bus ticket cost from Quito to Pedernales
Meals
Accommodation in Don Juan
Travel & Medical Insurance (Available at an extra cost)

Certificate Of Completion (Upon Request)

What's NOT included?

Flights
Vaccination
Visa
Transfer to airport on departure day
Personal Expenses

Reviews

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Frequently asked questions

: We always recommend all our volunteers to apply in advance. This way they get time to prepare better for the trip. Applying in advance has perks like:
-Confirmed booking/placement.
-Application Fee is valid for a year and you can choose to do two three programs in the same year without paying an additional application fee.
-You can make the payment for program fee in parts.
Also, we abide by the first come first serve policy.
: Usually, it takes around 10-12 working days for the application to be processed and placement to be confirmed. After the application is accepted, your placement document shall be updated in your account online and you can view the information in your account. The application acceptance depends on the availability of seats in the project as well as the eligibility criteria of the program (age, skills and experience etc.).
: Below are the necessary requirements to participate in the Quito volunteering projects:
Intermediate or Beginner Level of Spanish is required.
Volunteers must be 18 years or older at the time of joining the project.
Participants must have a Clean Police Record (Criminal Background Check).
Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment.
The volunteers should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference.
: Yes, you must volunteer in a group. In fact volunteering in a group has its own perks. You can get discounts on application fee and you can pool in for add-on tours and travel.
: Arrival dates for all projects in Ecuador are on Saturdays. Once you land in Quito, you would be picked up by one of the Volunteering Solutions’ staff and you would be given a general induction. The volunteer coordinator will brief you about the history of the program, what the project currently is involved in, additional projects that might be going on at that time that volunteers can participate in, additional safety information, information on what to do during your free time, information on how to get there and around at the project. This is all presented in a booklet format and lasts +/- 30 minutes per volunteer.

On the first day of the project, our volunteer coordinator accompanies the volunteer to his/her project and shows how public transport works to and from the project. On the site, the coordinator will introduce the volunteer to the project and the local project staff and help with basic induction.
: No matter wherever you travel to, make sure that your passport is valid for at least another 6 months upon arrival to that place. That is applicable for Ecuador too. On your arrival in Ecuador, you will get a T-3 Visa stamp. This Visa stamp is valid for 90 days. If you plan to stay longer than this, you should apply for 12-IX Visa at the Ecuadorian Embassy of your home country, before leaving. This Visa would be valid for 180 days then.
: From the US to Quito, the recommended services are:
American
Avianca
Aeromexico

From Europe to Quito, the recommended services are:
Iberia
Taca
KLM
: Safety is a concern for all the international travelers; however, Quito is a tourist friendly country and major incidents involving volunteers is unheard of. Both the accommodation of Host family and the Volunteer house are safe. Although, when you venture out for a visit try to be with your group. Consult your coordinator before you decide to wander alone, especially in the night.
Here are some guidelines from the project:
When using public transport keep your bag and valuables with you and not on the shelves or under the seat.
Do not bring things which are not required or are extremely expensive: jewelry, credit cards, more money than you're spending money for that day, etc.
When it gets dark, take a taxi, they are cheap here in Ecuador and will guarantee you a safe ride home.
Do not drink in the company of the strangers, until you are with your volunteer group or company.
: You must visit your doctor 2 months prior to your overseas travel. As a precaution, carry your yellow fever certificate and vaccinations booklet to be produced at the border crossings, if need be.
: Yes, for all participants it is mandatory to have a travel medical insurance.Volunteers have the option to purchase Travel and Medical Insurance at a nominal extra cost from Volunteering Solutions. To provide the best option to our participants, we offer comprehensive insurance coverage in collaboration with a leading insurance provider.
: A member of the local coordinating team will take you to your placement and introduce you to your project after giving you a basic orientation about the program/city/culture etc. You will be told about the directions to the project from your accommodation and the mode of transport you can use.
: For accommodation, volunteers can choose to stay either with a local host family or in the volunteer’s hostel. Both the accommodation options are fully furnished and provide a comfortable stay to volunteers.
In Volunteer house, there is the provision of the fully functional kitchen but no meals. Volunteers can prepare meals for themselves. Meals are provided by the host family, thrice a day.
: Yes, however, you must inform us in advance and also mention about any dietary requirement in your application form.
: Volunteers typically work for around 5-6 hours in a day. Depending on the workload every day, working hours can vary. Evenings are free for the volunteers and volunteers usually get together and go out for social gatherings, eat out or just relax at the volunteer house. Quito offers a number of activities and attractions for the discerning travelers. Quito is surrounded by Cotopaxi volcano and Pichincha, Antizana, Cayambe volcanoes that make the Andean contour. Full of churches and majestic architecture and exquisite fine dining experiences, walking tour in this beautiful city is not enough. Galapagos is at a distance of half an hour from the mainland Quito by air and you can go crazy looking and experience the untouched wilderness there. Island hopping, swimming, and snorkeling are just a few of the perks!
: Your program fee covers your Airport Pickup, Accommodation, Food and In-country Support.

You will need to cover yourself for your personal expenses, such as local transport, telephone, the internet, shopping, weekend trips etc. However, you should carry around $50 per week for your basic personal expenses. This amount can vary and you would need a higher amount if you go on weekend sightseeing tours.
: Volunteers usually work for 5 to 6 hours a day depending on their program. You will have the weekend off so you can go to travel on weekends. However, volunteers need to be flexible, open-minded and understand that work requirements can change as well on certain occasions.
: You will find a number of currency exchange counters and ATMs in the airport as well as the popular tourist areas of Quito. Your pre-departure booklet will have this information, your coordinator would also guide you with this information.
: We encourage volunteers to get in touch with former Volunteering Solutions Quito program participants and also other program participants joining our projects. You are recommended to join the Volunteering Solutions Facebook Page or Facebook Group to communicate with other participants.

To read alumni interviews from past participants, visit the Meet a Volunteer section on our website.