Before and After School Program Volunteer

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VOLUNTEER POSITION: Volunteer Before & After-School Program Volunter

The Starfish Foundation (Fundación Estrellitas del Mar) is looking for short and long-term volunteers to work with our high school students in Guayaquil, Ecuador! This is a great opportunity for anyone who enjoys working with youth, is passionate about Latin American culture, and believes that education is the path to a better future!

WHERE: Guayaquil, Ecuador

Starfish Foundation volunteers live with a host family in a neighborhood called Flor de Bastión. All families with which Starfish volunteers stay are experienced in hosting foreign volunteers and the accommodations are comfortable. Buses are easily accessible to take you to the center of the city on your days off.

VOLUNTEERS RESPONSIBILITIES: Each volunteer is given the opportunity to propose his/her own project to carry out during his/her volunteer time based on interests and passions. Past projects have included photography, fundraising, nutrition, ESL classes, sports, etc. Starfish has monthly themes and if known ahead of time can incorporate your project into the monthly theme. Additionally, all volunteers will:

• Help run our tutoring program in Flor de Bastión Monday-Friday and be a good role model for our scholarship students
• Bring your own talents to the program through planning supplemental activities for to begin our tutoring sessions 1-2 times per week
• Write for The Starfish Foundation's blog with updates on your volunteer experience
• Assist with field trips, special workshops, house visits, monthly meetings and other programming as they arise.
• Opportunities for teaching a small group English (or other subject of your choice) class to help students.
• Provide professional development and leadership guidance to current employees in Ecuador
• Continue to foster deeper relationships with Starfish families via our "Humans of Starfish" project and other time spent in the community.
• Help Starfish gather necessary data for growth and grants through conducting program evaluations with students & parents, as well as neighborhood data collection surveys.

SKILLS NEEDED:

• Intermediate Spanish (and willing to learn more!)
• High School graduate, 18+ years old, (College preferred but not required); 16+ with chaperone
• Experience working with youth
• A passion for education and working with youth
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Patience and flexibility
• Strong sense of initiative
• Excellent communication skills
• Travel experience in developing nations (recommended)

WORKING HOURS:

All volunteers will work Monday - Friday 7:30-11:00am and 1:30-5:30pm at the refuerzo program. (Exact hours vary by day.) Additional hours may be required at other times to assist with special workshops, house visits, or other programming needs. Volunteers may also assist with weekend activities.

TRIP PREPARATION:

Before your volunteer experience, all volunteers are expected to hold a fundraiser for Starfish. You can be creative as to what to do, and we are available to help guide you in this process. The funds raised will be used to cover some of your expenses (including housing and food) while with Starfish. Fundraising goals begin at $400 for 5-week summer volunteers and increase based on length of stay. Your fundraiser will be an important way for you to share with others about Starfish and the work you will be doing!

INCLUDES:

• Airport Pick-Up and Drop-Off
• Starfish Shirt
• Cell Phone for use during volunteer experience (will need to add minutes)
• Work related business expenses
• Coordinate housing with a family in Flor de Bastión
• 1 week in-country orientation
• Assistance with Visa paperwork if staying beyond the 90-day tourist visa

RESPONSIBILITY OF VOLUNTEER:

• Cost of Flight
• Personal Expenses including re-charging cell phone with minutes, toiletries, bus fare, personal items such as laundry detergent & free time travel
• International health insurance (Required for all visitors to Ecuador - For short-term experiences usually costs $50/$60 per month)
• Updated vaccinations before the trip
• Fundraiser for The Starfish Foundation before your time in Ecuador
• If you do not wish to live with a family, we can give advice but you will be responsible for your own housing.

TIME COMMITMENT:

Starting Dates:

Approximately June 1 each year for 5-week summer program, Flexible starts for 10-week program September - March

Volunteers must volunteer for at least 10 weeks, though an adapted version of our volunteer program is offered for a minimum of 5 weeks during the summer months with the start dates listed above. School year volunteers have flexible start dates. For start dates September - February, please contact us to coordinate.

• Note* The school year in Guayaquil runs from April-February. In March preparations are made for the new school year, including the selection of new scholarship recipients. During this time, a volunteer would have a less-fixed schedule, less structured time with the students and would have to be flexible and patient with last-minute schedule changes.

TO APPLY: Please fill out our volunteer application : https://form.jotform.us/71095181914154