| Matthew Houston / Volunteer at "Alejandro Saez Day Care Center at San Roque" |
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I worked at San Roque. Absolutely loved all aspects of my time there, kids were great fun and it was a very humbled experience for me |
| David Ernst / Volunteer at "La Bota Kindergarden" |
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I would do it once again without regretting it. It is a very nice experience to live and work in Ecuador. Most of the projects need assistance. I worked in a Kindergarden and everyday I looked forward to the next one. The school offers many trips to volcanoes, markets, cities and much more that you can make on weekends. This is a wonderful experience, too. Travel to Ecuador and work there. You will never forget it!!! |
| Vanessa Schweiger / Volunteer at "Jatun Sacha – San Cristóbal" |
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I had the best time ever in my life. Thank you very much for everything and for these nice moments in Ecuador!!! |
| Andre Wachtler / Volunteer at "Centro de Salud No.4 - Pio XII" |
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Although it was hard at the beginning it was a good time for me. It was a good decision to make this trip. Through the Spanish school you can easily make friends in Quito and the teachers helped me in any problem I had. In general it was a great experience and I am also happy to find out time to do this trip |
| Elin Roed Rennemo / Volunteer at "Santa Martha Flor de la Amazonía" |
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Working at Santa Martha Flor de la Amazonía was an amazing experience. I think this kind of volunteer work is very different from many other projects, because you live at the project, and because of that I felt like I had the opportunity to contribute more. I would recommend future volunteers to stay for at least 1 month, so that you will have time to get to know the animals and to contribute more. It is a very rewarding project where they really need all help they can get |
| Michelle
Klein (Nurse) /
Volunteer at “Asociación
Vivir” |
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I just finished a 5 weeks stint
volunteering at a clinic in Tumbaco,
a suburb of Quito, Ecuador, through
the volunteer program at Simon
Bolivar. The coordinator, Helene
Myrvold, was really great. She
had several options for me to
choose from and stressed that
if I didn't like my placement
all I needed to do was say so
and she would find something more
suitable. We
considered multiple options and
visited a couple of places to
make a decision. I decided on
the Asociación Vivir. Mariana,
the director, who is also a doctor
of naturopathic medicine, strives
to keep her great dreams for Ecuador
on a realistic level. |
The association
is putting together a report in
order to put on a fundraising
program in Europe. Much of what
I did there was to help out with
this work. I also set up a small
nurses area, where I gave the
occasional injection, washed huge
amounts of ear wax out of a little
girls ears once, and mostly did
vital signs and measured little
kids. I found pediatric growth
charts online and copied a bunch
in order to put one each in with
the individual charts in order
to track growth. Hopefully they
continue this practice. Anyway,
I'm so glad I got to have this
experience. I really felt like
I was able to help out a lot and
I also got a lot out of it as
well.
|
| Mira Freiburger / Volunteer at "Casa refugio Matilde" |
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After
having seen a few locations and
possibilities to work, I went with
Helene, the manager of voluntary
work to Casa refugio Mathilde and
decided to stay there for a few
months. Casa refugio Matilde is
a house of refugee for women and
their children suffering from domestic
violence. The institution offers
boarding and lodging for women and
their kids, medical care and psychological
attention.
There
are also workshops concerning domestic
violence, self-esteem, family relationship,
sexuality, working in groups etc. |
| It wasn't very clear what I had
to do, so I decided to work with
the children in Casa Matilde. Beside
the women they are really the persons,
who need help and generally they
enjoy to have the possibility to
play and work with a volunteer.
At first, I started to make a daily
plan for the children and managed
some special projects for example
a painting hour or a rubbish collecting
competition. The work in Casa Matilde
isn't that easy, because on the
one hand you have to be able to
work and create things almost every
time alone and it isn't clear how
many days you can spend with a group
of children, because almost every
day mothers with their kids are
leaving and entering. On the other
hand all members of Casa Matilde,
as well as mothers and their kids
are very thankful for the support
by a volunteer. The kids are very
glad to be engaged in some activities.
Moreover you may learn a lot of
things about social life in Ecuador
and about various destinies of life
of Ecuadorian and Columbian kids.
One of the most important experiences
in my live! Thank you very much! |
| Benjamin
Flaig-Suizo /
Volunteer at “Minadores
de Sueños” |
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I love the atmosphere behind these
four walls that makes the classroom
experience for the kids. When
I go to the School Assistance
it’s not only for work reasons,
but also for me to come together
with the kids sharing good moments,
happiness and learning about human
values. It’s
wonderful to feel and receive
the great enthusiasm from the
kids. I have noticed that I’m
not only able to teach the kids
stuff, but they also help me in
learning a lot. |
| The kids make
me laugh and think. I have the
faith that by helping these kids
out with homework and other school
or family issues I also contribute
to their independence in the future. |
| Michael
Devine / Volunteer at "Fundación Integrar" |
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The time I
spent at Fundacion Integrar was
one of the most fulfilling, challenging,
stimulating and FUN experiences
I have had in South America. The
staff are very experienced but
also extremely friendly and made
sure that I was fully involved
with the work of the centre from
day one. More than anything, working
with the children and youths at
the centre taught me considerably
more than I would ever be able
to teach them - you cant underestimate
the value of patience, a sense
of humour and a smile for these
kids. I will remember my time
at Fundacion Integrar for the
rest of my life. |
| Tina Pocher / July 2007 |
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It was a great experience to see how people life in this country and to be part of a time I will never forget! It’s great to spend some time in the same place to get used to it and to enjoy the real Ecuadorian life |
| Martina Unterrainer / July 2007 |
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The first day at work can be really difficult you understand nobody and nobody understand you. But its get better and its a great experience.
I’ve met so friendly people at the hospital and I also learnt a lot. I would never like to miss this experience. I’ve learn a lot for my life. |
| Ilana Kresch / July 2007 |
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Volunteering at San Roque, was a beautiful experience that thought me about the poverty, the prejudice and the hardship the Quichua people in Quito struggle with. In spite of their situations, I have never seen such joy in the eyes of children. Those kids have a lot to teach.
Ecuador is unlike any country I have been to and in spite of the things that did not go as planned, I learned a lot and will forever be grateful for the lessons and wisdom my kids have showed with me. |
| Ana Vicente Moreno / July 2007 |
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Hacer voluntariado en Latinoamérica y trabajando con niños, era un sueño que cada día retrasaba más y que nunca pensé que fuese a ser tan importante como ahora pienso que ha sido. Mi idea cuando empecé era aportar mi pequeño granito para intentar aportarles algo de felicidad pero después de un mes siento que han sido ellos los que me han hecho más feliz a mi con sus sonrisas y abrazos los que me han enseñado, me han cambiado y me han robado parte de mi corazón.
Una experiencia inolvidable!
Natalia Cordero |
| Natalia Cordero / July 2007 |
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La experiencia ha sido genial. Trabajar ayudando a una buena causa llena mucho y hace crecer como persona. Además la gente en Ecuador es encantadora, todos tiene ganas de ayudar y han sido muy acogedores.
Estuve encantada con mi estancia en Ecuador! |
| María Fernanda Valles / June 2007 |
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I decided to volunteer in Ecuador alter returning back to my country and seeing that things haven’t changed much. That were still children in the streets without a proper shelter or a decent education. From then on I set out to find a place where my help be most needed. Initially I got a placement through the International Students Volunteers in the Amazon working with some local tribes in a development program, however the cost for the placement was very high and although it was worth it, as I student I couldn’t afford it. Nevertheless with some luck I managed to get in touch with the Simón Bolívar Volunteer Program, from the start they were very supportive and friendly. They granted me a placement at the day care in San Roque.
When I arrived at my placement I felt very intimidated by the children, there were so many. Eventually I started to engage with them and I discovered that they were all very special. During the 5 weeks of the placement not only did I have the opportunity to teach them things, but I also learn many valuable things, and thought the work was demanding at times it was equally enjoyable. In general I felt that the experience was worthwhile, and if I ever return to do work experience in Ecuador I would definitely consider to do in it through Simón Bolívar. |
| Shelly Ewig / June 2007 |
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I am truly grateful to Simón Bolívar for connecting me with Children International through this organization. I taught English to under privileged Children between the ages of 5 and 14. Even though these children live with the bare minimum, their spirits are so energetic and strong as much as they think I helped them, I am truly the one who can not thank them. They opened my eyes to the important things in life: family, community, hard work, and hope. I will carry the memory of them with me wherever I go. |
| Elke Zeintl / March 2007 |
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I made a lot of nice experiences, but I sometimes did not feel secure. It would have more sense if the volunteers speak better Spanish before they come. I could not work like in Austria although I would know a lot of illnesses, because I couldn’t speak good enough. My boss at my volunteer place at a Hospital helped me a lot and I enjoyed working there. |
| Verena Muffel / February 2007 |
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My time in the school was very good! Thanks for everything, I loved my time in Ecuador! |
| Maria Micheel / December 2006 |
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Spending 2 months in the volunteer program of Simon Bolivar was a really great experience. I enjoyed get to know so many people here, to live with them, to learn with them and to work with them. The activities during the week were always great fun and I felt good supported by the team here. Joining the volunteer program is a great chance too to learn Spanish and to get to know the Ecuadorian culture. |
| Laura Rupprecht / November 2006 |
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What I liked about the program was the fact that one can easily meet people and make new friends. The school offers the opportunity of getting to know other students and volunteers during the various afternoon activities. The weekend excursions are an additional possibility of getting to know the country and learn more about the inhabitants. Even though you arrive alone in most cases, you can find new friends pretty fast no matter if you live in an apartment with other volunteers or in a family. I enjoyed sharing an apartment with people from my program and it was never boring at home. |
| Martin Jaeger / December 2006 |
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If you love the chance to join a volunteer program of Simon Bolivar, do it! The experiences you will get in Ecuador are very special and individual, like in no other country. Nice people at the school who help you with any problem you might have. Join the program and I think you will never forget the experiences in this nice country and its people and culture. |
