Volunteers' FAQ

How many volunteers are there at CENIT?

There are typically around 40 to 50 foreign and national volunteers at CENIT.

Where do most of the volunteers come from?

The majority of CENIT volunteers generally come from Europe and North America. However, we often also have volunteers from Asia, Australia and New Zealand, South America and Central America, which makes CENIT volunteers a diverse, interesting global community!

Is there a minimum of time I must volunteer?

Yes, the minimum time commitment for volunteers is two months. We have this regulation because the success of our work depends greatly on the amount of trust and confidence we are able to build with the children and families. When a volunteer is here for a shorter amount of time, building this type of relationship is difficult. With a longer stay there is a greater probability that a volunteer will truly develop a relationship with CENIT’s clientele, ultimately resulting in a better experience for both the families, and the volunteer. Longer term volunteers (those able to stay over 6 months) generally qualify to work in more CENIT programs than short term volunteers.

I have a specific skill (i.e. I am a doctor), can you make an exception to this time limit?

For especially skilled individuals, such as doctors and nurses, an exception may be made to the two month rule. This, however, would have to be discussed and evaluated on an individual basis.

Is there a cost for being a volunteer?

Yes, there is a one-time only inscription fee of $50 which does not vary with the amount of time you choose to volunteer. This $50 goes to pay for administrative costs in the volunteer office (internet, electricity, paper and so on), for the t-shirt and identification you will receive as a volunteer, and towards staff salaries.

Does CENIT provide food or housing for its volunteers?

Due to economic constraints, CENIT is unable to provide its volunteers with free housing, although it does allow volunteers to eat lunch for free at its school cafeteria.

Does CENIT provide health insurance for its volunteers?

CENIT is unable to provide health insurance for its volunteers, yet volunteers are welcome to attend the twice weekly clinic where basic medical services are provided by an Ecuadorian doctor.

How much can I expect to spend on housing?

Housing costs vary greatly on where you decide to live. Some volunteers live with an Ecuadorian family, which usually costs around $300 a month including food. This can be arranged through a home stay organization: CENIT works with several such organizations, and more information can be provided via email. Another interesting option for many volunteers is staying in a long-term hostel. These usually cost between $80 and $150 a month, and again, more information can be provided via email. Additionally, some volunteers choose to live in apartments. This usually costs around $100 to $150 a month, and much like a hostel, does not include food. These are usually found by volunteers once they are already here, by word of mouth, through posters in the tourist part of town, or through announcements in the CENIT office. Please feel free to email us at volunteer-office@cenitecuador.org for more information.

How much can I expect to spend on food?

Food costs can vary greatly. To eat lunch or dinner in a traditional Ecuadorian restaurant costs around $1.50, while in the tourist part of town a meal can easily cost $7.00 or more.

How much can I expect to spend in general?

This is a tough question. CENIT staff members earn $140 a month, which is very little, but manage to live on this amount of money. Generally volunteers spend quite a bit more, but the amount you spend depends greatly on the amount you wish to travel, how many souvenirs you want to bring home, etc. To give you a few examples: buses generally cost $1 per hour of travel; it costs $4 to go to the movies; a hostel generally costs between $5 and $10 per night. A local bus costs $0.25. A new pair of jeans may cost between $10 and $15.

Do I need to speak Spanish?

Ideally, yes. CENIT requires that 60% to 70% of our volunteers speak Spanish at least at a level that is sufficient to hold and understand a conversation; the other 30% to 40% must have a specific skill that compensates for their lack of Spanish. While it is possible to volunteer at CENIT with a very basic level of Spanish, you’ll have a more fulfilling experience if you are at least conversationally proficient. Since our population speaks Spanish, it is very difficult to communicate with them, and thus assist and support them, if you do not speak their language. We highly recommend studying Spanish before you come by taking classes, reading books or listening to language CDs.

Can I take Spanish classes in Quito?

You can take Spanish classes in Quito; in fact, we recommend that you take them. The price for individual Spanish classes ranges from $4 to $10 an hour. Group classes are generally quite small (4-6 students) and cost slightly less. There are over 100 Spanish Schools in Quito, with almost constant availability. Often it works best to wait until you are in Quito to find a school, that way you will know your time availability, the proximity of the school to the part of town you will be living in, and how much money you will have to spend. However, we can recommend several schools that we work with via email and will be happy to send you their contact information if you so desire.

Does CENIT require a specific religious orientation to be a volunteer?

CENIT is run by Catholic nuns from the order of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd and accepts volunteers regardless of race, religion or sexual preference.

How do I get to CENIT for the first time?

It is the volunteer’s responsibility to arrive at CENIT on their own and there are several options to do so. CENIT is located in the south of Quito, the capital of Ecuador. For specific directions to CENIT once in Quito check the Directions page.

Can you pick me up at the airport?

Due to financial restrictions, CENIT will not be able to pick you up at the airport. However, it is very simple to take a taxi from the airport to wherever you will be spending your first night. Legitimate taxis are yellow, have a light on top, have a red registration sticker, and have the name of the cooperative that they work for on the back door. During the day they are required to use the taxi meter, whereas at night you should agree on a price before you get in.

Do I have to work every day?

Certain CENIT programs require daily attendance; in others you can work a set number of days per week. However, you will have a greater variety of options if you are able to work every day. We expect that volunteers treat working at CENIT much like it was a paying job. You are expected to be here every day, ready and motivated to work. You are expected to phone in prior to 9:30am if you will not be able to make it that day due to illness or some other excusable reason and must bring a doctor's note if their illness lasts more than two days. Tardiness, unreliability, and unprofessional behavior will not be tolerated among volunteers.

Do I have to work all day?

Generally there are two work sessions, one from 9:30am to 12:30pm, and one from 1:30pm to 4:15pm. There are a few activities which exist outside of this schedule, but those are the exception. Volunteers are welcome to work in both sessions, or to work either in the mornings or in the afternoons.

How much vacation time do I get?

Volunteers are allowed 5 days of vacation for every 2 months of volunteer work at CENIT.

Is CENIT open on weekends?

Volunteers generally work Monday through Fridays. There is a youth group on Saturday mornings for interested, long-term volunteers.

Is Quito dangerous?

Although some volunteers have been victims of pickpockets and muggings, these are problems that can inevitably be found in almost any developing country. In its Ecuadorian edition, the popular tourist guidebook Lonely Planet warns tourists about these aforementioned risks and then says "Despite these warnings, Quito is not particularly dangerous. If you avoid attracting undue attention, it's very unlikely that you’ll have any problems at all." (Lonely Planet Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands, page 123). We recommend that all volunteers research Ecuador prior to coming. If you have any further concerns, we recommend that you contact your country's State Department/ Foreign Office.

What is the climate like in Quito?

The climate in Quito is moderate, generally between 15 and 25 degrees Celsius. The weather does not change greatly in temperature throughout the year. From October to April it rains nearly every afternoon, whereas for the other half of the year it does not. Generally, wearing pants/ trousers and a shirt and sweater is warm enough for Quito, although when heading to the mountains warmer clothing is needed.

Do I need a visa in order to come to Ecuador?

Foreigners are allowed to enter Ecuador for 90 days as a tourist. From there, you can easily obtain an extension of 90 more days to continue your tourism. For anyone planning to stay for more than 180 days however, a volunteer visa is necessary. The visa is valid for one year, and costs $180 plus any costs to prepare the necessary documentation. If you will be volunteering at CENIT for more than 6 months, we can help you obtain your visa either here or in your home country. Please keep in mind that if you enter the country as a tourist and then decide to get a visa, you will be required to leave the country, either by returning home or by going to Columbia or Peru in bus or plane.

Is there a dress code for volunteers?

We ask that volunteers please do not wear torn or very dirty clothing. We also ask that you refrain from wearing anything with an obscene message, advertising for tobacco, liquor companies and so on, or anything that is overly revealing (bare midriffs, very low cut shirts, short skirts etc) It is important to remember that as a volunteer you are a role model for the children, and they will emulate your behavior. For this reason we ask that you dress comfortably yet conservatively.

Am I allowed to have any piercings (other than earrings)?

Volunteers at CENIT are not allowed to have any visible piercings other than earrings. Although in many parts of the world piercings are seen as completely normal, they are still seen in Ecuador as a sign of someone that is affiliated with being a member of a gang. We have found that when volunteers arrive with piercings, the students tend to emulate their behaviour, and are then left with piercings that are symbolic of being part of a delinquent gang. We do not want to offend or exclude anyone with this, but we do wish to avoid misunderstandings and uncomfortable situations when you arrive.

Can I get a work certificate or a letter of recommendation when I finish my time at CENIT?

Yes.

Are there any administrative openings at CENIT?

We frequently have administrative openings for prospective volunteers willing to make a long-term commitment to CENIT. Please contact the volunteer office at volunteer-office@cenitecuador.org for further, updated information.

Are there paid positions for foreigners?

There are currently no paid positions for foreigners; however, we have had many volunteers come to CENIT in the past with scholarships or grants from their colleges or universities, youth groups, or other organizations, and have found that it is often possible to do enough fundraising at home to finance your stay here.

How can I get more information?

You can get more information by emailing us at volunteer-office@cenitecuador.org.