Volunteer Opportunities in Ecuador Quito

1- How were the local ABV Coordinator and the support provided in-country?
Laura and her family were amazing. They were so welcoming, and they were always there to help me whenever I needed something. If I needed anything I could ask Laura. She gave me suggestions on things I could do as well as tips on how to be safe with I’m traveling. She and her family really cared about me and wanted to make sure that everything was good. I loved getting to know them and their adorable dog Zach.

2- What was the most surprising thing you experienced?
The most surprising thing I experienced was how sweet the people are. I interacted with many of the local people while on my job and I found that they were so nice, welcoming, and happy. They were so sweet to me and were patient with me when I didn’t understand what they were saying to me. I was also surprised at how amazing the city of Quito is. It is so vast and beautiful and truly amazing city.

3- What was most difficult to experience?
The most difficult part of my experience was the language barrier. I came to Quito with high school level Spanish. I quickly learned that that was not enough. The first few days were tough getting used to everything being spoken in a different language. Laura and her family were great at trying to help me understand.

The most difficult part was during the first few days at my job when I had to speak to the nurses and patients in Spanish. I quickly learned how to ask them basic things about their health and after a few days, I noticed that I was started to understand more and more and I was able to say more and more.

Go to Ecuador

4- Any tips for future volunteers… 
It is cold here in the mornings and at night so definitely bring pants, long sleeve tops, and a sweatshirt or two. When you go out try to layer because in the morning it might be cold but by midafternoon it will be sunny and warm.

Bring comfortable clothes because after a long day at work it was really nice to be able to come back and change into something comfortable. Bring your laptop or other devices because the house has WiFi. I brought sterile gloves and gauze pads to my site to donate.

Volunteering Ecuador

5.1- Other things volunteers should know:
Bring a photocopy of your driver’s license and passport with you. Leave the actual passport and license in the house you are staying at and take the copies with you when you go out. Also, try to bring bills that are $10 or smaller because some places won’t accept large bills. Bring a small bag that you take with you when you go to your site or go around the city.

6- Personal Paragraph (ABV Program Testimonial):
I am so grateful I was able to go on this trip. I learned so much from Laura and her family along with the nurses and patients at my site. Every day I would wake up excited to go to my job and get to see the nurses and patients. When I would come home I was able to walk around and explore. I had so much fun getting to know the city and I will always love Quito. It has been an experience of a lifetime and I cannot wait to return here someday.

7- How would you describe your accommodation, meals, security (e: host family, on-site, shared)
I stayed in the host family’s apartment. I stayed there with Laura’s family. The house was very clean and nice. I had my own room and I was able to come and go as I pleased. The food was amazing and dinners with the family were so great. The apartment is very secure. I never once felt scared or unsafe.

Volunteer Ecuador

8- What was your favorite memory of this trip?
My favorite memory of this trip is taking the family dog, Zach, on walks with Laura’s son after dinner. It was really nice getting to walk around and just learn more about Ecuador and the family. One weekend I went to Mitad del Mundo with Laura and another volunteer. I was such a great experience and such an amazing day. I also went to Teleferico one day with one of the volunteers. There you take a chairlift up the mountain and you are able to see views of the whole city. It was breathtaking.

9- How was the ABV USA support prior to traveling?

The ABV USA support was great prior to travel. I had to change my dates a couple of times and they helped me change them without a problem. Whenever I had a question about my trip I emailed them, and they would quickly respond to me. I also called them a couple times just to be sure about dates and booking my flight and they were always available and willing to help.

10–Are you willing to speak to other potential ABV volunteers?

Yes, of course!

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