STREET CHILDREN CENTRE IN AMBATO, EQUADOR – help the street children with their home work, teach them English and other skills and keep them safe and off the street

This Street Children Centre caters for the children of Ambato, a busy industrial town south of Quito.  Although not technically Street Children, these children come from poor backgrounds and seek refuge at the Centre during the day where, in addition to having supervised homework sessions, they are given lunch. Some do come from orphanages and Ambato is a town renowned for abandonment, or child trafficking and even parent’s selling their children into work!

Why Volunteer help is needed

The street children centre is run by nuns and does have a social worker and a psychologist in attendance too as many of the kids have suffered traumas in their lives. Volunteer help is much appreciated for helping the children with their homework during the mornings and the afternoons and for helping with specialist subjects such as computer studies and English.   Your positive and caring attitude could make a big difference in the lives of these children and the centre provides them with a secure environment where they can be children and concentrate on their studies.

One of the things the Street Children Centre does to raise some money is make items to sell such as cloth dolls, clothing and items for the household.

Where you will stay

You will stay with local Spanish speaking families in Ambato and have your own room with a shared bathroom.  Meals will be provided and you will have the opportunity for total integration into the local culture and language.

What to do in your spare time

It is a good idea to plan your weekends carefully to make the most of them.  The popular town of Banos is a bus ride away and has many interesting things to do:  thermal baths, white water rafting, punting (bungee jumping), cycling, climbing up mountains….Beyond Banos, you start getting into the Jungle and weekend excursions can be arranged.  The active volcano Tungurahua is not too far away too.  Buses are very cheap so travel around Ecuador is not prohibitively expensive.

For more advice on travelling to Ecuador, check out the FCO Advice Page