The staff, who works at Simon Bolivar Volunteer Program, has worked as volunteers in Ecuador themselves. They have extensive experience in welcoming foreigners to Ecuador and speak fluent English and Spanish. Due to our experience we always offer the best for our volunteers.

• What you will receive
• Who can volunteer?
• How long do I need to volunteer?
• What’s it like to volunteer?
• Language
• How do I become a volunteer?
• Documents necessary for the application
• What will happen when I come to Ecuador?
  

What you will receive
The Simon Bolivar Volunteer Program will be your best choice if you are interested in receiving the following:

• Realistic guidance and useful information to prepare you for your stay.
• A personal advisor who will follow work progress throughout the entire process.
• Fast and punctual feedback.
• A workplace that fits your education, interests and desires and where you feel that you are contributing.
• A professional workplace and that will receive you in the best manner.
• Someone who will greet you at the airport.
• A place to live that makes you feel at home, (family, hotel or at the workplace).
• The best Spanish lessons in Quito, with the time schedule that you desire.
• The possibility to participate in many fun social events.
• Free internet access
• Dancing lessons
• Cooking lessons
• Football
• Monthly meetings with other volunteers (if you live close to Quito and depending on the other volunteers).
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Who can volunteer?
Anyone 18 years of age or older! To participate in the Simon Bolivar Volunte er Program you don’t need to have an education or any organizational experience, that’s what makes us different from many other voluntary programs. Previous experience is perfectly o.k. of course. Back to top

How long do I need to volunteer?
You decide how long and when you would like to begin your volunteer program. However, certain projects require a commitment of a given duration. Please see more detailed information for each workplace under the link programs. Back to top

What’s it like to volunteer?
The sensation you get when you volunteer is that you give and receive. Your work will make a significant difference while, at the same time, you will learn a lot from your colleagues and your work experience. Our partners are organizations with a high level of experience but unfortunately with low economic resources. That’s why they need help from volunteers and they will repay you with a wealth of new knowledge and friendship. Depending on where you will work the experience can also be very difficult. Some volunteers may see a lot that they are not used to. However, we can promise you that you will also find a lot of smiling faces and happiness. It is important to remember that poorness it’s not the same as unhappiness! Back to top

Language
The overwhelming majority of Ecuadorians speak only Spanish. Therefore, in order for you to work as a volunteer you need to be able to speak Spanish as well. If you are a beginner we urge you to take six weeks of Spanish (four to six ours per day) before you start to work. On the following link you will find more information about Spanish lessons at Simón Bolívar Spanish School. We recommend that you to study with us not only because of the high quality of the lessons but because we will also be able to give you a packet price for both the Spanish lessons and the volunteer program. Back to top

How do I become a volunteer?
If you want to participate in the Simon Bolivar Volunteer Program please fill in the application form. In order for us to treat your application you need to pay the registration fee. We will send you information about how to do this, when we receive your application. When we receive the registration fee, we will immediately begin to process your applicaton in order to fulfill your needs. As soon as we have a suggestion for you we will send it to you. (Within a week maximum) If you are not pleased with our suggestion we will give you a new offer until you are satisfied. Back to top

Documents necessary for the application

Documents necessary when the application is sent by e-mail:

• Payment of registration fee
• Visa, if you are going to stay more than 3 month
• Confirmation that you have a round - trip ticket

When you arrive in Quito we need:

• Copy of passport.
• Two photographs
• Copy of degree / CV
• Payment of participation fee
• Copy of insurance documents
• Police record

Documents necessary when applying here in Quito:

• Copy of passport.
• Two photographs
• Copy of degree / CV
• Payment of participation fee
• Copy of insurance documents
• Police record
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What will happen when I come to Ecuador?
When you arrive Ecuador you will be met at the airport of a representative of the Simon Bolivar Volunteer Program. If you arrive during the day our representative will bring you by car to the Simón Bolívar Spanish School. There, your personal advisor from the Volunteer Program will meet you. If you arrive by night you will be taken to the place where you are going to live and you will meet your advisor the following day. (If possible, your advisor will pick you up at the airport). Your advisor will give you all the information you need and you will be able to ask questions. If you are first going to be taking Spanish lessons, you will start your lessons as soon as possible. If not, you will start your work as a volunteer as soon as possible.

Your advisor will introduce you to your workplace, your colleagues and your contact person at your work. If you are going to study Spanish, you will visit your workplace during your last week at the school, and you will start to work as soon as your lessons have finished. During your working period your advisor will visit you at work and will periodically check in on you progress through the duration of your project. When you have finished your working period, your advisor will talk with you and your contact person at your work in order to give you a certificate for your voluntary period. If, during your stay, would like to visit other parts of Ecuador, we will be able to help you out with this as well.
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