LaTanya's South American Volunteering Adventure!

LaTanya Clarke Start Date: Jan 26, 2016 - End Date: Mar 17, 2016

My Travel Story

by: LaTanya Clarke Start Date: Jan 26, 2016 - End Date: Mar 17, 2016
Hola mi gente!

As some of you may or may not be aware, I will be going to Ecuador, South America for 3 weeks to take part in a volunteer project with IVHQ (link provided). I will be doing NGO support with VCE (Volunteer Connection Ecuador) which means that I will be helping to provide assistance with the organisations workload, enabling them to widen their reach and help more children. I will be helping with the day-to-day
operations of the organisation, as well as gain a greater understanding of NGOs and the issues they face. Some of the other tasks I will be assisting with include, but are not limited to translating, record keeping, fundraising and grant writing, public relations, campaign scholarships, systems reviews and communication.

Alongside NGO support, I will be working with Ecuadorian street children, children who don't have school as an option. These children spend 365 days a year working in the streets and markets, selling goods and performing with their parents to help their families stay alive. The Street Children Work project focuses on providing these children with some enjoyment in their lives, along with education.

I strongly believe this trip will be mutually benificial, not just to the people I will be helping, but for myself as well. I know I will grow so much as a person during my 3 weeks. I pride myself in being a very caring person and care deeply about the inequalities people may face and love helping people when and where I am able to. I understand that everyone does not have the same opportunities in life and people face different trials and tribulations so if I am able to even make a small difference or impact on someone's life positively, I would love to do so. Initially, I had wanted to spend 8 weeks, but due to third year uni commitments I have had to shorten this, however, I am still grateful that I am still able to go. This has always been something I have wanted to do and I know for a fact that my love and passion for the Spanish language and Latin American culture will allow me to immerse myself deeply in the project, and by spending some time in a South American country, I believe it will help me to further improve my Spanish speaking skills and further improve the fluency of my language skills.

I am required to fund the flight myself, and it is quite costly to travel to South America, which is why I have set up this campaign. I would be so grateful if you could help me achieve my goal and any amount is appreciated. I have had to pay a registration fee and a programme fee already, the registration fee goes to IVHQ and the programme fee goes directly to the volunteer project in Ecuador so I do not or will not be keeping or gaining any profit from this trip, it is entirely for a good cause. So any amount, big or small would be ever so amazing. 

While I am there, I aim to keep a detailed diary or blog about my day to day activities and progress of the trip. I am very excited and can't wait to begin my volunteering journey!

Muchas Gracias!

More Travel Information