Ecuador Volunteering-Social-Adopt A Dream

Description

Centro de la Niña Trabajadora (CENIT) is a non-governmental, non-profit organization that is dedicated to providing opportunities for Ecuadorian youth. This organization was started as an attempt to address a number of social issues that were escalating due to events that took place through the 1980's. In the late 1970's to the late 1980's many countries throughout the world entered into a recession due, in part, to a drastic increase in Oil prices. As a result, these countries began to need assistance. Ecuador began to borrow more and more money, however, they were finding it difficult to repay the loans due to high interest rates and little economic surplus.
The debt crisis (as known by many people in Ecuador) occurred throughout many countries in Latin America and as a result many countries like Ecuador were so far into debt that they could not pay the loans back. During this period many people lost their jobs, the social infrastructure in Ecuador began to crumble and there was no money to put into improving educational or medical facilities. As a result, working children became a common sight on the streets of Quito and all over most Latin American cities.
Since this phenomenon began, many programs and centres have been formed to assist in supporting males to find employment and aid. In 1989, frustrated by the lack of attention paid to the specific problems confronted by working girls, a group of concerned Ecuadorian citizens founded Centro de la Niña Trabajadora (CENIT).
The founding members of CENIT wanted to create a program that was focused on creating opportunities for young girls who were unable to attend school, who did not have access to safe drinking water and who were not able to access health and medical care. By developing and implementing educational and vocational programs, CENIT is helping working girls and their families overcome barriers and receive essential necessities. They have created many opportunities for young women, such as, a basic education, job training and access to recreational games.

Why does this organization need volunteers?

"Adopt a Dream" is a program that recruits and manages outside donors contributions to sponsor CENIT students, including paying for their school fees, supplies, uniforms, as well as other clothing and food. CENIT chooses the children who need the help most. Every sponsor helps one student and his or her family.
This program needs volunteers who are committed to administering to the various goals of CENIT, and who can provide their services to the sponsorship program, helping with sponsors and those being sponsored alike.
CENIT relies heavily on volunteers from all over the world in many of its various programs. As a CENIT volunteer, you will work in a team environment to help improve the lives of the CENIT students.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

As a volunteer you will help with the administration and organization of the "Adopt a Dream" program. You may be asked to go shopping with the mothers and kids who are being sponsored, to buy clothes and food thus being responsible for calculating how much money is spent.
Additionally you may be asked to provide the sponsors with information such as school results, postcards and pictures. You must also attend weekly planning meetings.

Requirements:
Experience in organization and administration would be an asset for a volunteer at this placement. Also, experience in recruiting donors and/or fundraising would be an asset.
THIS PLACEMENT REQUIRES A ONE YEAR MINIMUM COMMITMENT.

Requirements

Language

English

Upon arrival in country our staff will pick you up at the airport and return you to our Orientation Center for a safety briefing and general country orientation. For this program you are required to complete one - 4 weeks of language training and orientation which is included in the cost of the program. At the end of that week you will transfer to your placement to begin volunteering. Our staff are available to assist you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week should you require help of any kind.