Ecuador Volunteers’ Reviews Laud Service Programs
Time and again, volunteers report that the community-based service they provide on Global Volunteers’ programs is both impactful and meaningful. These online reviews on GoOverseas by volunteers who served in Ecuador reflect their appreciation for their volunteer experience. Read more on their site and leave your own review to inspire others to follow in your footsteps!
“The Most Meaningful Trip of our Lives”
Review by Carolyn Martin
“Being with these kids in Ecuador changes you. My 12 yo son came with me. What we learned from these amazing people who experienced poverty: that you feel joy, that you love your kids like crazy, that you have hopes & dreams for them, and they are attainable. We saw unending love and dignity there. The teachers at the daycare are angels. Our team worked hard during the day, then at night — over delicious homemade meals — we debriefed, we laughed, we compared all the connections we have between the cultures. The guidance of our leader Maggie – a rock star! We want to go back. My son remembers details about this special vacation, when all other ‘beach’ vacation memories have sadly merged together, unimportant. It was a such a profound experience.”
After leaving that online review, Carolyn reflected more on her experience with her son in Ecuador:
“I decided to take my 12-year-old son with me, and volunteer abroad for the first time in our lives. I felt he was old enough to experience the joys and struggles of a completely different culture. I researched, and then researched some more. As a single mom, I wanted it to be something that he’d never forget, be a realistic experience, yet feel completely safe and cared for. Global Volunteers was the top of the tier as THE best international volunteering agency. Every review I’d read during the research phase confirmed that you get what you pay when choosing Global Volunteers – for us, it meant the most meaningful trip of our lives.”
“My son remembers details about this special vacation, when all other ‘beach’ vacation memories have sadly merged together, unimportant. It was a such a profound experience.”
– Carolyn Martin, Ecuador volunteer
“We said goodbye to our small town in Ontario, Canada and headed to the beautiful lushness of Quito, Ecuador. It meant so much to me that our role during this trip was to act as ‘servant-learner’. Global Volunteers’ mission is to meet the needs of their partner community, and that community decides what projects are valuable to them. When a community identifies what is important to them, and you can help them achieve it, the reward is unforgettable. My son and I knew we were there to help the families of the daycare centers in a way that helped them most: the initiatives were driven by the center, by the people who lived and worked there, by the parents and kids themselves, and I truly felt our small group made a big impact. Our host Maggie was a force of nature. She has been a part of the lives of the community partner for eight years, and they treasured her. Her leadership, and her years of working in this community, gave us an experience that would never happen anywhere else.
“I can’t express how meaningful this trip was for me as a mom, as a nurse, and as a global citizen who wants to see young kids thrive, no matter where they live in the world. My son wants to go back next year. The breathtaking Andes, their resilient, loving people, and the dedication of the Global Volunteers leader and our team members means we will definitely be returning. It honestly changed our lives.”
“The breathtaking Andes, their resilient, loving people, and the dedication of the Global Volunteers leader and our team members means we will definitely be returning. It honestly changed our lives.”
– Carolyn Martin, Ecuador volunteer
“It was the most meaningful trip of our lives.”
– Carolyn Martin, Ecuador volunteer
“Ecuador – A truly magnificent volunteer program.”
Review by Gordon Smith
“The experiences we had in Ecuador were meaningful and memorable. Our group of 15 volunteers worked in the early childhood development center in Quito. Some volunteers worked in the classrooms with the children and others worked on the building itself doing maintenance projects and painting beautiful murals. On weekends we explored “Old Town” in Quito and visited the equator and rode a tram up a mountain. The hotel we stayed in was comfortable and the food was good. Sometimes we visited local restaurants. Maggie Bjorklund was our team leader and she was great. Everything about this volunteer program was wonderful. Spending time with the children in the classroom and the dining room were the most heartwarming moments for me personally. As a father and grandfather, the beautiful children of Quito really moved me. If you love children, kind people, and beautiful mountains, then go with Global Volunteers to Ecuador for one of the most magnificent experiences of a lifetime.”
What would you improve about this program?
“This volunteer program is outstanding and I would not change a thing.”
“As a father and grandfather, the beautiful children of Quito really moved me. If you love children, kind people, and beautiful mountains, then go with Global Volunteers to Ecuador for one of the most magnificent experiences of a lifetime.”
– Gordon Smith, Ecuador volunteer
“Experience of a lifetime…”
Review by Natalie Lindsay
My daughter (15 years old at the time) and I spent two weeks volunteering in Calderon. This was truly a experience of a lifetime. The center were we volunteered was in a vibrant area bustling with everyday life where we got to experience the food and culture first hand. We were immersed everyday with our interactions with the beautiful children, teachers, parents and the women of FUNDAC walking way from the experience with a greater sense of our world, differences and how small gestures can help in so many ways. This experience has lead my daughter to continue on in studying International relations and development next year. Our Global Volunteer leader Maggie was amazing, guided us in every way and there to help us with anything that we needed. Ecuador is one of the most beautiful countries and has so much to offer. I hope to make it back there again.
Pros
- Real immersion in the culture
- Gratitude and appreciation from kids, parents and organization
- Global Volunteers had everything we needed pre and during trip. Well organized and executed
“We were immersed everyday with our interactions with the beautiful children, teachers, parents and the women of FUNDAC walking way from the experience with a greater sense of our world, differences and how small gestures can help in so many ways.”
– Natalie Lindsay, Ecuador volunteer
“We loved our time with a terrific group of people.”
Review by Sue Simpson
My then 14-year-old son Josh and I loved being part of the GV trip to Quito in mid-February. From a mom’s perspective, I saw my son with new eyes as he interacted with the construction “crew” (Global Volunteers and local helpers). And I’ll never forget watching him as he worked with the young children I was working with. He helped get them ready for their naps and then came back after his building work to take the children down for afternoon snacks, holding their hands, playing little games, using his ninth-grade Spanish with them. I had moments of pride — and discovery! I never knew my son was so considerate and gentle and it took a Global Volunteers trip to show me that. Josh adds that the program has given him more confidence to deal with new people and new situations. Altogether we loved our time with a terrific group of people and would highly recommend doing a service trip — as a family.
“I had moments of pride — and discovery! I never knew my son was so considerate and gentle and it took a Global Volunteers trip to show me that. Josh adds that the program has given him more confidence to deal with new people and new situations.”
– Sue Simpson, Ecuador volunteer
You too can serve in the breathtaking Andes of Ecuador with the teachers whom Carolyn Martin describes as “angels.” Volunteer Coordinators are available to provide more details, including Ecuador references for additional personal accounts of volunteering experiences. Call a Volunteer Coordinator today at 651-407-6100.
You may also like:
Leave a Reply
Want to join the discussion?Feel free to contribute!