Techo is an organization which seeks to overcome poverty for thousands of people living in slums, through training and joint actions of its residents and young volunteers in Ecuador.
In Latin America, more than 200 million people live in poverty. Of these 80 million live in extreme poverty on less than $ 1 a day. In Ecuador the percentage is really high, so volunteers are always welcome to help make a change for these families who live in extreme poverty.
Techo Ecuador is always looking for construction volunteers who will help build emergency houses in rural places of Ecuador where these living conditions exist.
A construction and maintenance volunteer would be in charge of assessing the housing needs at a specific location and if deemed appropriate would then organize all necessary data, supplies and volunteers to perform the task. This would also include the best materials and type of construction in the designated location.
A construction and maintenance volunteer for this placement must have adequate knowledge in the construction business including a few years of experience; as the placement job is to not only help build these homes but to be in charge of the whole operation. The volunteer must be a mature individual who is able to organize all aspects of the construction, as well as supervise the volunteers who would be working at the site. A construction and maintenance volunteer must be able to do hard manual labour in the Ecuadorian climate and have a intermediate level of understanding of the Spanish language.
It is a sub area within the construction department that is responsible for assessing the conditions of families living in these settlements. Assignments of emergency built homes is done through a methodology of surveys and interviews conducted by volunteers; who are the first and only link with the families until the time of construction.
To plan an appropriate methodology for the construction phase, which would include obtaining volunteers from the area, appropriate for the jobs. The construction and maintenance volunteer would be in charge to obtain the items needed for construction such as tools and materials, as well as transportation, food and shelter for the volunteers.
The construction and maintenance volunteer would be responsible for the design of the emergency housing and the training of volunteers to work in the construction of said homes. The volunteers would be expected to do the research necessary to determine the best materials and construction methods.
The construction and maintenance volunteer would be responsible to: ensure that all safety regulations were followed; that all volunteers were directed and supervised for each day's activities and that at the end of each working day that all equipment and supplies were properly put away and the site clean and safe.
Techo is an organization operating in Latin America and the Caribbean, which seeks to overcome poverty for thousands of people living in slums, through training and joint actions of its residents and young volunteers.
The people in the Techo Organization work tirelessly in the fight against poverty and the promotion of community development. "Techo Community Intervention" focuses on the most excluded slums and its key drivers are the joint actions taken by its residents and young volunteers from these areas, who work to generate solutions to the problems of poverty.
This initiative originated in Chile then went to El Salvador and Peru. Now after 15 years, it operates in 19 countries of Latin America: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Dominican Republic, Uruguay and Venezuela.
Five Values That Moves Techo Towards A Better Future:
1) Solidarity - Empathy is crucial to the fate of these excluded families. It moves us to want to be and work with them, to share their difficulties and hopes, to learn from their skills and perseverance, as well as report and make an effort to correct things that marginalize these people and does not recognize their fundamental rights as human beings.
2) Conviction - To overcome poverty and injustice in our continent, " Is Possible". This certainty gives us the determination to work tirelessly with others to achieve these challenging goals and to take the risks necessary to move beyond the fatalistic attitudes of others around us.
3) Excellence - Everything we do must be of high quality. We aim to be creative, innovative and rigorous, as well as respectful of commitments made. We will acknowledge and correct errors in a timely manner, while taking into consideration proposed solutions.
4) Diversity - All young people have a space in the Techo organization, regardless of social or ethnic origins, religious beliefs, sexual orientation or political choices. We are sure that our differences are an asset to join forces in what unites us, "the fight against extreme poverty throughout this continent". 5) Optimism - The Techo Organization faces the future with hope but not naivety. We believe that the injustice we see today, is possible to be defeated and we work towards that future with joy. We recognize the privilege of devoting our lives to making our world a more humane place for all.
Techo - Ecuador was established in May 2008. At that time, they constructed five houses in the neighborhood of Carretas, sector La Bota, in the province of Pichincha. The homes were built with the help of 60 volunteers between 18 and 30 years of age. Since then Techo has built 1564 houses and mobilized more than 15,000 volunteers who constructed these homes among'st 12 provinces in the country.
In 1997 a group of young people funded the first Techo establishment in Chile with the help of individual organizations and donors. Since that time the Techo Organization in now in 19 countries and receives its funding through its own fundraising initiatives in each country and through private donors.
Techo Ecuador is located in a large-scale district of Quito. Situated around the Parque La Carolina - the financial center - they are surrounded by banks and multinational companies. These tall buildings are made of steel, concrete and glass, giving this area a very modern and edgy feel. Many of the most important and traditional malls in the city are in this area: the Garden Mall, Quicentro Shopping, Mall Iñaquito (CCI), Caracol Mall, Mall United Nations (CCNU).
Techo's office is a big house where activities and meetings take place before moving to the rescue place. In the house there is a big community area, a kitchen, three offices and a backyard. The house is just for volunteers to apply and meet there co-workers. Volunteers will go anywhere in Ecuador to help families, so volunteers will be staying in community centers, with bedrooms and kitchens.
From the Basecamp House take a bus on 6 de diciembre that is called Guadalajara, this bus will take you on the main street called Eloy Alfaro. Get off on the Carolinas Park. Jardin Mall will be at you right so walk that way. On the corner you will see a Gas station and a street called Italia, walk up the hill and look for the blue house - that is Techo Ecuador.
Distance from BaseCamp: 10km
Travel Time from BaseCamp: 0:15
Because Ecuador is located on the Equator line, Quito's weather is very unique. Due to the Equator, Ecuador has no seasons; there is summer and winter. The year has six months winter and six months summer but the number of months for each changes from time to time.
Because Quito is so high up in the mountains, the sun is very strong and the wind blows really hard; it can get pretty cold at night. Quito always has a temperate climate with temperatures ranging from 10 to 27 ° C.
Quito or also called "Luz de America", is the capital of Ecuador; a country located in South America, on the Equator line. Quito is considered one of the most beautiful cities in South America because of its amazing colonial architecture, historical sites, fantastic landscapes and panoramic views all surrounded by incredible mountains, rivers, parks and volcanoes.
Quito was founded in the 16th century by the Incas Tribe and is located at an altitude of 2,850 meters above sea level.
Centro de Quito, (colonial city) is the largest and best conserved colonial city in South America; this is why the UNESCO named it a "World Cultural Heritage Site" in 1978. The city's structure on the 320 hectare compound is an outstanding example of superb architecture from the sixteenth to the twentieth century; surrounded by volcanic stone with very narrow streets within, (built stone by stone), there is much to see.
The historic centre of Quito has ancient colonial homes, priceless churches, chapels, monasteries, convents, as well as plazas, museums and republican buildings with interesting architecture.
Once outside of the historical centre of the city, Quito takes on a completely different personality in the “new town” where many high rise and government buildings are found.
Though Quito is old and historic, the public transportation is fairly efficient and the city is served by a network of buses that travel throughout most of the areas; it is a cheap way of getting around. Since the city is very long and narrow, it is divided into three zones and many buses run in each zone of the city.
Currently, the heart of the capital is full of vigour and culture, such as "Heritage Nights" where citizens and visitors can enjoy the unique attractions in the, "jewel in the crown of Ecuador", through images and videos.
Clìnica Pichincha
Paez N22-160 y Veintimilla
Quito
TEL 1: 593 2 2998-777
Un techo para mi Pais Ecuador
Italia N30-85 Y Eloy Alfaro, Quito
Quito
Ecuador
All of our volunteers begin their stay in Ecuador at our BaseCamp Center in Quito. Given that this placement is less than a 1 hour and 15 minute commute from BaseCamp, volunteers working here will have the option of living with us at BaseCamp or living with a host family.
The following information outlines a brief description of life at BaseCamp and also what someone can expect living with a host family in Ecuador. Once you have completed our application, you can let our staff know if you would prefer to live with a host family. Otherwise, your application will default to having you live with us at BaseCamp.
If you have any questions about the difference between life at BaseCamp or life with a host family in Ecuador you can always give us a call or send us an email. Our contact details are listed in the footer of every page of the site.
Juan Rodriguez E8 - 72 Y
6 De Diciembre
Quito, Ecuador
Tel: 593 2-254-7737 (Guest House Jazmines)
Mobile: 593-0-998-221-438
BaseCamp Ecuador is located in the trendy Mariscal district of Quito. Within easy walking distance of banks, restaurants, internet cafes and more; BaseCamp in Quito is perfectly situated for any need. Whether you are taking advantage of the rich and vibrant night life of La Mariscal or visiting a local market, BaseCamp Ecuador is always just a few minutes away.
There are six dormitory style guest rooms and five wash-rooms. Pillows, sheets and blankets are provided. There are two common areas on the main floor, including a small resource centre, containing books, magazines, games and other Ecuadorian publications. As well there is a large selection of local movies and documentaries which are available for guest viewing. In addition to the two common areas, BaseCamp Quito has a rooftop terrace, the perfect spot to watch the street come awake with a morning cup of coffee, or spend an afternoon relaxing in the sun.
BaseCamp Quito is also the orientation and training centre for international volunteers visiting Ecuador. In addition to accommodation and meals, BaseCamp Quito also provides volunteers with orientation, Spanish Language training (1 - 8 weeks), placement consultation and work plan seminars, as well as follow up and continued support while volunteers are at their placements. All of these services are available to guests who are interested.
Living with a host family in Ecuador is a fantastic way to gain a deep understanding of and appreciation for the people and customs of the country. Each home-stay will provide a bed and three meals per day for our volunteers. The majority of host families offer private rooms with only one or two volunteers living with the family.
In the case of a volunteer lodge or ranger station (which is often the only option for placements within a National Park), volunteers will be living in dormitory type accommodation and meals will be provided in a mess hall or dining area.
Living with a host family can greatly enhance your performance at your placement. For one, it will have a huge influence on the speed with which you gain familiarity with the local language. This, along with your deeper understanding of cultural practices and beliefs that you are likely to gain in this environment, can go a long way to improving or strengthening your relationships with your team mates at work. Furthermore, a significant percentage of our host families are closely affiliated with the organizations with which our volunteers work. As such, even the evening meal or hanging out around the house can become valuable time during which volunteers can share their ideas and continue their support of their host organization.
All of this being said, living with a host family is not for everyone. It is very important for volunteers to honor the house rules in their host family and to be punctual. Also, depending on how remote your placement location, host families can be very rustic. Our staff in country can give you a better idea of what exactly you can expect from a host family in any particular community. However, in general, if these things sound like they might pose a challenge for you, we strongly suggest that you look at a placement within commuting distance from BaseCamp Ecuador.
Our program structure and costing is completely flexible which lets our volunteers ensure that they only pay for exactly the degree of support that they want.
Some volunteers prefer to coordinate their own accommodation, meals and other support while overseas.
Anyone is welcome to use our volunteer placement search tool to help in finding a placement that is well suited to their interests. Once someone finds a placement that they wish to work with, they are welcome to make all the rest of their arrangmeents on their own.
As well, our team of staff overseas are often able to offer a few helpful pointers for volunteers 'doing it on their own'. Just send us an email with your questions and we will put you in touch with our team abroad. We only ask that you keep your requests fairly general, as this type of advice is exactly how our team earn their living. :)
Other volunteers would like assistance in selecting and confirming their placement, but they plan to manage their own accommodation and other expenses on their own.
These volunteers have the option of choosing to only have our assistance with selecting and confirming their placement. This option also includes ongoing placement support while abroad, so a volunteer would be able to ask our team for help if things at their placement were not working out.
In providing Placement Support, our team works with each volunteer through email, telephone and either Skype or Google Hangouts, to ensure that each volunteer has a clear understanding of their placement options. Our in-country staff will put together a custom list of placement options for each volunteer that they believe are the most appropriate matches with the volunteer's background, skills and interests. Then each volunteer can work with our team both in Canada and abroad to go through each of the options and narrow-down their selection.
For most volunteers who are volunteering for less than a year, they are looking for an option that includes their accommodation, meals, airport reception, country and program orientation and placement support. This is what our Program Fees are designed for.
We are proud of how over the years we have ensured that our program fees are amoungst the most reasonable of any program in the world while we continue to provide exceptional volunteer support both at home and abroad.
Our Program Fees and listings of what these do and do not include are listed below:
| Registration Fee | 250 |
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| 1 Week | 395 |
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| 2 Weeks | 620 |
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| 3 Weeks | 844 |
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| 4 Weeks | 1,068 |
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| 5 Weeks | 1,243 |
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| 6 Weeks | 1,418 |
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| 7 Weeks | 1,593 |
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| 8 Weeks | 1,768 |
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| Additional Weeks | 175 |
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Ecuador wildlife and conservation placements require an additional $7 USD per day fee to cover park fees and accommodation. All program fees are listed in US Dollars. |
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In some cases, a placement will have to take on certain expenses in order to host a volunteer. For example, some medical internship placements take time away from paid medical staff to help with educational assistance. This has a cost that is compensated by a placement fee. In other cases, the organization may have to pay for additional equipment, energy consumption or other expense in order to put a volunteer to work.
In such cases, the organizaiton charges a fee. This fee is paid directly to the organization in cash on the ground.
One of the reasons that we keep this fee separate is so that volunteers who do not pay us for accommodation, meals etc (Program Fees), will see that they will still have to make this payment directly to the organizaiton upon their arrival.
The placement fee for this organization is: 45 USD
The following is a list of all months during which this placement is not available.
Our regularly scheduled program start dates are the first Friday of each month, every month of the year. We strongly recommend beginning your program on one of these dates as this will allow you to go through our orientation alongside other international volunteers.
If you would prefer, our application will also allow you to select a custom start date for your program. Keep in mind that there is an additional fee for a custom start date which ranges from 50 to 75 USD.
| Dec 06, 2019 | Jan 03, 2020 | Feb 07, 2020 |
| Mar 06, 2020 | Apr 03, 2020 | May 01, 2020 |
| Jun 05, 2020 | Jul 03, 2020 | Aug 07, 2020 |
| Sep 04, 2020 | Oct 02, 2020 | Nov 06, 2020 |
| Dec 04, 2020 | Jan 01, 2021 | Feb 05, 2021 |
| Mar 05, 2021 | Apr 02, 2021 | May 07, 2021 |
| Jun 04, 2021 | Jul 02, 2021 | Aug 06, 2021 |
| Sep 03, 2021 | Oct 01, 2021 | Nov 05, 2021 |
These dates are the day that volunteers should plan to arrive on the ground in country. We can accommodate arrivals in-country at any time day or night on these dates.
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