Ecuador Volunteering-Social-Street and Market Outreach

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?

This placement operates in three different markets throughout the week. A group of volunteers and CENIT staff will travel to a market and walk through the stalls collecting young children from their families who are not in school.
The groups ensure that the children, specifically those under the age of five who are not yet old enough to be enrolled in school, have a safe place to go during the day while their parents are at work. Many children with working parents end up going with them to the markets to sell during the day. As a result, these youth are less likely to receive a basic education and often spend their time in the streets instead of learning with their peers.
The three markets this program is current running in are Camal, Chiriyacu, and San Roque. Camal market is the nearest market to CENIT, about a ten minute walk away. At first this area can be a bit daunting with their many stalls selling fruits, vegetables, clothes and pig's heads. However, once the market families grow to trust you, you will find the atmosphere very friendly. This market has a classroom for the volunteers and kids to use.
The Chiriyacu market sells items such as clothing and shoes. It is located about a ten minute walk from CENIT, next to a park with a playground and space to play. There are about ten children who attend the outreach program at this market regularly.
San Roque market is mainly populated by indigenous people who have come to Quito with the hope of making a better living. This market is a little bit further, so volunteers need to take a bus to get there. There are more children participating in the outreach program at this market than in any other.
Energetic and enthusiastic volunteers are need to visit these markets throughout the week to provide structured learning activities and games for the children.

What tasks will you be required to fulfil?

During this placement volunteers will go together as a group with CENIT staff to collect the children in the markets. Volunteers will greet the children's families at the beginning of the day, thus establishing a relationship with them. Once everyone has been collected from the market, the group will provide structured educational and recreational sessions for the children. Volunteers must also be responsible for the safety and well being of the children during the hours of work. At the end of the session, volunteers are asked to accompany the children back to their families in the market.
Volunteers will also have the opportunity to teach and re-iterate good health and hygiene practices by ensuring that the children wash their hands and faces and brush their teeth.
If there are any social or health concerns regarding any of the children who attend the program it is important to notify the appropriate service at the CENIT headquarters.

Requirements:
Experience working with children would be an asset for a volunteer interested in this placement, but not a requirement.

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.