Ordex Cultural Exchange
ORDEX Cultural Exchange is one of the most recognised agencies in Ecuador. Based in Quito, the capital city, and with offices in Guayaquil and Cuenca, they have been running for 12 years. Their mission is to provide a valuable and memorable experience to their participants, which will enable them to become world citizens and influence positively worldwide. They offer programmes that combine sustainable development and cultural exchange for individual travellers and groups.
Programmes in Ecuador
Your participation on any of their programmes will contribute to finance a scholarship for an Ecuadorian student who wants to learn English abroad!! To learn more about their projects, see below:
Conservation
Animal Rescue Andes and Amazon Region
The programme’s aim is to help wild animals that have been rescued from mistreatment, abuse, traffic, sickness, or have been saved from a certain death from living in horrible conditions. This programme is focused on saving and helping all animals to recover and, if possible, to return them to their natural habitat.
Medical
Children Hospital in Quito
In Quito, the Children’s Hospital works with approx 50 local doctors to attend the demand of 250 children approx from all regions of the country, therefore the help of volunteers is much appreciated to ensure that children rights are achieved.
Ecuadorian Red Cross
The Ecuadorian Red Cross has a mobile and dental clinic programme in Quito with the purpose of giving a proper health assistance to schools in rural communities. (Closed during summer vacations: July and August). Volunteers will be assisting local Doctors during their visits to the communties twice or three times a week according to the needs of the communities.
Street Children
Daycare Centres and Public Schools
There are several social programmes in Quito established by public Institutions and local NGO’s to assist children from poor areas, many of them spend an average of 8 hours a day on the street: selling candies, looking after their brothers and sisters , or doing housework. The projects have been created to keep children safe and, give them the opportunity to learn new interesting things according to their age. Volunteers are the basic resource for the project. Time and love are the most important things children need to reinforce their self esteem.
Teaching
Teach Ecuador Programme
The school year runs from September through June in Ecuador's Andean region and from April to January in the coastal region and Galapagos Islands. The project works with schools in poor areas of the city, where children don’t have the same facilities as in a private school, where their lifestyles are different, and where their parents have to make a huge effort to send them to school. Volunteers serve as the basic human resource, and all your patience and love becomes the basis to give these children hope for a better future.
NEW - Summer Camp Assistant in Ecuador 2010
If you like to travel, make new friends, and learn about a new culture, this programme is right for you!! Ecuador is a diverse country where you can visit amazing sites during your time off and get a glimpse of the Latin American life. Camps are located in Quito and on the Galapagos Islands.
Teaching English in the Galapagos Islands
The acquisition of a foreign language for a Galapagos resident provides countless personal, social, and economic opportunities. Not only does it help locals better serve the more than 170,000 tourists that visit Galapagos each year, it provides a new, sustainable alternative to fishing and allows for a mutual sharing of perspectives as contact between visitor and resident are made possible. More importantly, foreign language skills are not limited to tourism, but include areas such as scientific research, education, and many others. The foreign language programme offers courses for children ages 4-12, teenagers ages 13-18, and adults at all skill levels.
Place: San Cristobal Island – Galapagos
Accommodation: Home stays
Meals: Half-board
Length: 3 months+ (Shorter time for English teachers upon request).
Dates: All year long – in February and March only Summer Camps
Requirements: Intermediate Spanish Motivation to teach English and deal with conservation on
Programme highlights:
- Share your time and love with children and local families, while you teach basic English and about conservation
- Experience the unique nature of the Galapagos Islands
- Improve your Spanish skills by communicating with school staff as well as the children.
Costs: The cost of this programme is from USD 845 (3 weeks)
What is included:
- Airport pickup at arrival in Quito.
- One night hostel accommodation.
- Detailed orientation meeting in Quito, and walking tour of the city.
- Accommodation at home stay on San Cristobal – half-board
- Placement at local school and follow up during your programme from Quito.
- 24 /7 hour emergency help in Quito, and assistance on San Cristobal Island for any urgent matter.
- Airfare: Quito – Galapagos – Quito.
Not Included:
- International flight Lunches, approximately USD 5.00 daily.
- Personal travel insurance.
- Any activities beyond your planned itinerary.
- Galapagos National Park entrance fee USD 110.00
Your role as a volunteer:
Some of your responsibilities as a volunteer include:
- Daily attendance in classes Teach English to children of different age groups
- Focus the lessons on conservation topics on Galapagos
- Help children with their homework
- Lead discussion groups about topics concerning Galapagos
Daily schedule:
7:00 Breakfast at the host family
8:30 Free time – prepare lessons of the day
12:00 Lunch
14:00 After school children come to project to learn English and learn about the conservation of their home Galapagos.
17:30 – 19:00 Classes for adults
Working Hours: Monday – Friday 14:00 – 19:00 approx.
Contact information:
Ordex Cultural Exchange
Address: Antonio Navarro N32-179 y Juan Severino (Sector Ciespal), Quito, Ecuador
Telephone: (593) 2 2502 345 Ext 103 / Fax: (593) 2 2234 531
Website: www.ordex.org