Teach and learn Spanish and explore Ecuador and South America

Previous Pause Next

Program Overview
Life on the Program
Program Details
Volunteer Testimonials

Program Overview

Travel to the beautiful and picturesque Andean town of Otavalo in Ecuador and teach basic education and literacy to indigenous children.

You will plan and teach classes in Spanish, working primarily with young children from the age of 4. Focusing on broad topic areas such as maths, sports, art and games, you will assist and guide the children through the early stages of their educational development.

This project is operated by our in-country partners, Phoenix, who have been working in Ecuador since 2005 providing educational reinforcement to indigenous communities around Otavalo.

Life on the Program

Your time will be split between Otavalo for your Spanish lessons and one of the three partner communities where you will be teaching.

Working with children is a very rewarding experience but you are expected to put in the time and effort to plan interactive and effective lessons for your class. Days start early, leaving town before 7am returning mid-afternoon, after which you can relax with your fellow volunteers or lesson plan for the following day.

Otavalo will serve as your base town where you will live with a local host family, giving you an insight into Andean culture and the opportunity to practice your Spanish on a daily basis.

Otavalo is famed for its textiles market, an essential must see for any tourist to Ecuador.

Program Details

The numbers that transition from primary to secondary school is alarmingly low with around only 12% of children attending high school. It is the aim to ensure the children are sufficiently prepared for secondary education and provide the necessary funding to allow the children to actually attend.

Phoenix projects are based on a 25-year cycle, where the youngest child will eventually have their own family and with the education we have provided and the better job opportunities that come with this, it is hoped they will be able to afford the education for their own children, therefore Phoenix becomes sustainable.

Volunteer Testimonials

I left Australia expecting to spend 16 weeks of my life volunteering with GVI in Ecuador. Instead, those 16 weeks were just the beginning. GVI has inspired me to dedicate my life to improving the...

Victoria Allison, Australia

I left Australia expecting to spend 16 weeks of my life volunteering with GVI in Ecuador. Instead, those 16 weeks were just the beginning. GVI has inspired me to dedicate my life to improving the quality of the lives I touch through my volunteering both overseas and here in Australia. To be involved in the GVI community where everyone has the same passion and determination to be the difference is truly something unique.

Many past volunteers have had amazing experiences traveling with GVI. Read what they have to say here.