Short terms Volunteering Frequently Asked Questions

You will find the answers to your questions in this page. If you should have any other questions which aren't dealt with on this page, please let us know by sending a message in the contact form and we will reply to you as soon as possible.

1. Can I enjoy my vacations at the same time as being a volunteer?

Our organization gives you the opportunity to enjoy an exciting vacation and at the same time work with the communities, regular children, children with disabilities, orphans, and young people whom we serve.

Is a great reward to know that you are giving a hand to people who really needs and appreciates your love and support.

You will also enjoy the beuty of our country, you will be able share and develop friendship with ecuadorians.

Being part of a group, allows you to enjoy making friends, exchanging ideas and opinios and the most important to get to know people who are interesting to help and support others like you.

( Back . . . )

2. Who can take part in the volunteer programs?

Anyone can volunteer, age isn't important; generally we rely on students, although many of our members are between 30 and 80 years old. the childs can also take part as long as they are accompanied by their parents or a tutor.
Our work teams are diverse: men and women; young and old; a whole variety of nationalities, although mostly Americans, Canadians and Europeans, they all come from different backgrounds and professions.

You can travel alone or accompanied, many people like to share and teach the importance about to help other, often the whole family chooses to take a vacation and spend some time volunteering with our programs. Others like to travel in groups either with friends or with their classmates, however most prefer to travel alone and make new friends during their travels.

"Alone or in group the important is that we will make your trip an unforgettable experience"

( Back . . . )

3. Can minors take part in the programs?

Without a doubt, it's excellent for younger people to develop a feeling of solidarity, as this can help them find their vocation in life. The only pre-requisite is that they be accompanied by their parents, an older relative, or a tutor.

( Back . . . )

4. Why take part in this vacation and volunteering program?

The Worldwide Voluntary Force Foundation offers you a wonderftul opportunity to enjoy a different experience, enjoy the pleasure and rewards of serving, visit magical places and get to know new cultures in Ecuador. It will allow you to learn and practice spanish, try the local cousin,make new friends around the world and have fun working in a team, as well as taking part in a cultural and professional exchange.

We offert tax deductible receipts in USA for the amount of money that you invest in this experience which include the airfare cost, plus the program fee, so this can give you an opportunity to recover some of your investment in this unforgetable experience.

Minor and college students can obtaing certifications from our organization of community work according the hours that they put in our project. Usually we work 40 hours per week. If you need this certification, please let us know in advanced.

( Back . . . )

5. How long do the volunteer programs last?

We offer you the chance to serve in the area of your choice and according to your availability, whether it be one, two or three weeks. We recommended that you take at least two weeks in order to better organize your work within the team.

If you wish to volunteer for a longer period of time, you can contact us and we will arrange your stay for the length of time that suits you.

( Back . . . )

6. How much does the international volunteer program cost?

We offert tax deductible receipts in USA for the amount of money that you invest in this experience which include the airfare cost, plus the program fee, so this can give you an opportunity to recover some of your investment in this unforgetable experience.

( Back . . . )

7. What does this include?

The program costs include the following:

Food:

All meals are provided. It's exciting to try the exquisite local food, taste new and exotic fruits and the typical dishes prepared especially for you, all this is enough to satisfy even the most demanding of palates.

Accommodation:

The Hotel Sol de Quito is centrally located in Quito’s “New Town”.  The hotel is nicely decorated and each room has a private bathroom, telephone, cable TV, laundry service and wireless internet access.  There is also a computer with internet access for guests in the lobby available for a fee. 

Within a few minutes walking distance of the hotel there is a modern shopping mall that includes a supermarket, pharmacy, access to ATMs, etc.  In the same area there is an Internet café where you can also make telephone calls if you prefer not to place calls from the hotel.  All of the food and beverages served at the hotel and at your volunteer work site will be safe to eat and drink.

Transportation:

During your stay travel by land; transfer to and from the airport to the hotel at arrival and departure times, and daily transportation from the hotel to the place of service will be provided

Coordinators:

Each team is directed by one or two ecuadorian coordinators who have experience and who possesses leadership abilities. The leaders coordinates the team's work, maintains communication with Camp Hope where we serve, contracts translators, vehicles etc.; their services are indispensable for the group while giving service to the local organization.

Contribution to Camp Hope:

While the team is serving at Camp Hope projects various materials will be required in order to carry out the work, the cost is $400 per volunteer per two weeks,$300 per one week, and $500 per three weeks. The budget for the project is set in agreement between Camp Hope where we are working and our Foundation.

Program Coordination:

All the inherent costs of coordinating the volunteer team's work are covered by the Foundation.

Administrationn fees:

All the administrative expenses are covered by the service costs.

( Back . . . )

8. What is not included in the program price?

Airfare, visa costs, pocket money for leisure time, alcoholic drinks, medical and travel insurance.

9. What are the cancellation policies for the volunteer and vacation programs?

The cancellation or transfer of the date on the program is possible, but you should consider the following things before doing so:

1. Cancellations and transfers are expensive for the World-Wide Voluntary Force Foundation, as we arrange the service immediately after receiving your application; for this reason we will charge you the costs relating to the arrangements that have already been made.

2. Before applying, it is always better to wait until you are completely sure that you have chosen the date that best suit you, in this way, later inconveniences can be avoided.

3. The 250 USD application fee is non-refundable but it can be transferred to another program with a charge of 20 USD, in other words, 230 USD may be transferred to another program, which must begin within 12 months of the start date of the program you originally applied for, this transfer is subject to availability on the program of your choice. This transfers can be done only until 15 days before the program start.

5. In all cases, your decision to cancel or transfer dates on a program must be notified in writing.

6. World-Wide Voluntary Force Foundation may cancel any service program at any time.

7. World-Wide Voluntary Force Foundation can also reject an application at any time before departure.

8. World-Wide Voluntary Force Foundation will not give refunds for unexpected circumstances or due to your inability to take part in the program itinerary. World-Wide Voluntary Force Foundation willl return the full payment value if the service program of your choice is full when you apply, if World-Wide Voluntary Force Foundation doesn't accept your application for any reason, or if the service program should be cancelled for any reason other than because World-Wide Voluntary Force Foundation considers it dangerous to travel to Quito-Ecuador.

9. Partial refunds depend on when you cancel the program, for which you should consult the following table, the sooner you cancel your place on program the bigger the percentage we can refund to you.

Cancellation policy based on cancellation date:

The $250 deposit from application will not be refunded in any case.

More than 60 days prior to departure: 100% of the remaining cost will be refundedBetween 60 and 30 days: El 55% of the remaining cost will be refunded

Less than 30 days: 25 % of the remaining cost will be refunded

10. If the service program is cancelled due to a warning from World-Wide Voluntary Force Foundation about a possible danger in relation to Qito-Ecuador to where you are travelling, you can carry out a transfer to a program in another date, subject to availability .

( Back . . . )

10. Do volunteers have free time during the service program?

Of course you will have plenty of free time to get to know the place while you're staying, make friends, travel within the country and more. Wherever you go you will be able to find lots of interesting things to visit, as well as get to know the culture, the people and the countryside.

The team work is carried out from Monday to Friday, during office hours. between the 8:00 a.m. 15:00 p.m. Afternoons and weekends are free for you to do any social or touristy activities alone or with the rest of the team. All free time expenses are your responsibility.

Generally you will be given information on all the activities you can take part in during your free time.

Remember that free time is up to you, and you can hired any tour company that is convenient to you.

The majority of volunteers usually waits until they are in Quito with the team to plan free time activities, since being part of a team can be fun and cheaper to you.

The majority of our volunteers work with friendly-tours, and they report that they had a great experience with it. However always remember that planning your free time is your responsability and not something that World Wide Voluntary Force Foundation offers or organize for you, we do not offert any kind of free time arragements.

( Back . . . )