Job Discussion Forums

pozteach · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Canada

Hello All,

I was wondering if anyone was familiar with the Children of Ecuador Program in Bahia de Caraquez thru the Genesis Volunteer Program? I am thinking of going down there for 4 weeks in July to volunteer and want to make sure it's all on the up and up. It sounds wonderful, and it seems to be perfect considering the limited time I have to be there.

Thanks for any info or opinions you might have!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 11:51 pm Post subject:

Never heard of it, but if you pass me a link, I can have a look around and see.

Justin

pozteach · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Canada

Thanks Justin. Here's the website, www.childrenecuador.org

Cheers.

roymakaay · Joined: 11 Feb 2006 Posts: 5

I�ve been looking at that too, it looks great. I haven�t taught before, and they give you experience, and you learn some Spanish, I emailed them a few weeks ago, but from work, so will post their reply when I�m in work tomorrow.

Does anyone know of any other projects like this? I want some experience before I go off teaching on my own. South America and Brazil in particular would be ideal, I don�t mind paying something towards the cost, but a lot of the Brazil ones I�ve saw are stupidly expensive.

Ta!

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 11:50 pm Post subject:

Checked out the link-

Nobody in our overseas volunteer department has heard of it, which probably means it's pretty small scale.

The website looks good- like they're involved in some good projects. I have no idea about the price tag- it looks pretty reasonable compared to other programs- though the claim that %25 goes towards their projects struck me as a little weird. Where does the other 75% go?

Still, if 25% goes towards projects, and 75% goes to costs, that's better than a lot of things I've seen...

Next time I'm there, I'll stick my head in and see if they'd be a good place for us to place volunteers.

The "TEFL certificate" they offer sounds like it would be worth about the paper it's written on, though...

Justin

pozteach · Joined: 13 Apr 2005 Posts: 5 Location: Canada

Thanks for checking that out, Justin.

What about the city, do you know much about that area? They say I'd have to fly into Quito and get a bus to Bahia, which is a long haul. How safe do you think that would be for a female to travel on her own?

Justin Trullinger · Posted: Fri May 12, 2006 6:34 pm Post subject:

The Bahia area is absolutely gorgeous, and very popular with local and international tourists alike. A lot of my friends are there this weekend.

My colleagues caught the night bus at 11:00 last night, should have arrived about 10 this morning. Two women travelling together...they do it often, so I assume it's no serious problem.

In general, bus travel in Ecuador is secure...sort of. The spectre of buses held up at gun point, people kidnapped, etc, isn't the kind of problem you're likely to have. Do be careful with all your belongings, keep track of things, and don't let strangers handle your bags. This is easier to do if you travel light, which I recommend.

As a woman alone, ignore any strangers who approach you, flirt with you, etc. This is how latin women handle it, too. Do not accept friendly invitations or offers of help if they involve going anywhere off the beaten path.

Be careful, but have fun.

Justin