Updated on: 24/Apr/09

VOLUNTEER PROGRAM DESCRIPTION

MEDICAL PROJECT ECUADOR

BRIEF PROGRAM DESCRIPTION This program gives you the opportunity to assist at an Ecuadorian medical rehab center, in the north of Quito. You will join medical interns and a team of multidisciplinary professionals and will provide support in complete medical treatment and exams, prosthetic and orthopedic laboratory, physical, language and occupational therapy and psychotherapy and technical aids. The project was founded in 1984 and around 15 volunteer doctors and 10 local volunteers work at the center. Primarily the center opened its doors to Ecuadorian med-students to prepare them to become future doctors of the country, however they are also very appreciative of the help from foreign students, particularly those with an interest in the medical practice. Volunteers need to arrive to Quito on Sundays. The program starts every Monday of the month. Volunteers will have their orientation at Lead Adventures’ office on Monday morning, after the orientation volunteers will have all afternoon free to explore the city. On Tuesday morning the volunteer will be taken to the Rehab Center, where the project coordinator will introduce the volunteer to the center, show him the facilities and get an introduction about their volunteer work at the project.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS For an extra cost enjoy the beautiful sight seeing spots that Quito has to offer: * Enjoy the Old Town-churches, government, squares and shopping. The historic old town of Colonial Quito is the jewel in Ecuador's crown. The city was designated the first UNESCO World Heritage City in 1978 in recognition of the importance of its colonial architecture (ahead of cities like Bath and Venice). * Quito is the city that has the best-preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America. The monasteries of San Francisco and Santo Domingo, and the Church and Jesuit College of La Compañía, with their rich interiors, are pure examples of the 'Baroque school of Quito', which is a fusion of Spanish, Italian, Moorish, Flemish and indigenous art.

* The Teleferico takes visitors almost to the top of the Volcano Pichincha. It is worth putting aside a few hours for the trip, and day or nighttime is equally interesting. The cable cars will take you up to almost 14,000 feet and the views are stunning. * Visit the "Middle of the World City" where the monument that divides the Northern Hemisphere from the Southern is located. It was built during the XVII century when a French Expedition defined the precise location of the equatorial line. The Ethnographic Museum can be also be visited.

A DAY AT THE PROGRAM HOURS ACTIVITIES

7AM-8AM Breakfast at your host family or residence 8:30AM-1PM Work at the Rehab Center (Morning Option) 1PM-1: 30PM Lunch Break (your choice) 1:30PM-5PM Work at the Rehab Center (Afternoon Option)

5PM-open Free time to explore the city and dine *This is just an exemplary daily itinerary. All activities scheduled above are subject to change.

PROGRAM FOCUS LOCATION (Province and Town) Animal Rescue Center ______________ ______________ Social Rehabilitation Center Pichincha, Quito Adventure ______________ ______________ Environmental ______________ ______________ Construction/Building ______________ ______________ Sports ______________ ______________

PROJECT/ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION DESCRIPTION Organization Rehabilitation Center Location of the Organization Quito Non-profit/private/public organization Private Number of employees 42 1. DESCRIBE THE POPULATION/COMMUNITY THAT THE INSTITUTION PROVIDES ITS

SERVICES TO. IN CASE OF RESCUE CENTERS OR ENVIRONMENTAL ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE THE TYPE OF ANIMALS AND ENVIRONMENT IT WORKS WITH.

The center works directly with patients with disabilities in all different ages. 2. SERVICES THAT THE ORGANIZATION/INSTITUTION PROVIDES (DESCRIPTION) The foundation provides the following services: medical treatments and exams, prosthetic and orthopedic laboratory, language and occupational therapy, psychotherapy and technical aids.

VOLUNTEER INFORMATION 3. How many volunteers can the Project employ monthly? Maximum 4 4. Has the organization received volunteers in the past? Yes

5. If it has received volunteers in the past, please write since what month and year: Since they opened they have received help from volunteers in all different areas. 6. Are there any special features to which the volunteers have to pay attention to when

working at this project? (Religion, illnesses, extra-vaccination, etc) No. 7. Are there any requirements to attend this program? No medical experience is required, only the strong desire to help and get involve in the medical field. 8. The project receives volunteers all year round? Yes, but depends on availability. 9. Please specify holidays or other dates when the project closes and can not receive

volunteers: August availability tends to be low. Dec 24-Jan 2 depending on the holiday schedule of the organization. 10. Is there a minimum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? 2-weeks 11. Is there a maximum amount of weeks volunteers can work at the project? 12-weeks 12. Please give detailed description of tasks and duties of the volunteer: The role of the volunteers is based on his/her medical experience. Specialists will work with local doctors and less experienced volunteers will provide assistance under supervision of staff in different procedures. Some of the activities in which the volunteer will be involved are: • Assist doctors in the rehabilitation area • Help with language therapy • Support doctors with the completion of patient’s forms • Work in the prostheses laboratory • Taking part in any special project assigned by the doctors 13. Indicate the times and days the volunteer will be working in the week: The work schedule on the project will be from 8:30am-1:00pm and/or from 1:30pm-5pm Monday to Friday. You can work full or part-time.

LOCATION OF THE PROJECT 14. PLEASE INDICATE THE CLOSEST CITY OR TOWN TO THE PROJECT. The center is located in Quito, in the north area.

15. INDICATE WHAT TYPES OF TRANSPORTATION THERE IS FROM THE CENTER OF THIS CITY TO THE PROJECT, ITS COSTS AND APPROXIMATELY TIME THAT WILL TAKE:

TYPE COST TIME IT WILL TAKE Bus 0.25 15 minutes (from the Mariscal area)

Taxi $2 10 minutes (from the Mariscal area) 16. DESCRIBE THE SORROUNDINGS OF THE PROJECT (country side, urban, town) The project is located in an urban area in a residential neighborhood.

ACCOMODATIONS AND MEALS 17. Type of Accommodation? Volunteers can stay at a host family or residence. Host families are located in good residential neighborhoods in Quito. Home stays have been selected after an application process to make sure they have everything participants need. The residence is located only a couple blocks from Quito’s main transportation system and about 5 km from the main tourist area. The residence has shared bedrooms, bathrooms with hot water, a common room, kitchen and a laundry room. The house is fully equipped and features amenities such as a swimming pool, TV room, Internet desk and a game room.

18. Are meals included? Breakfast and dinner is included at host families and no meals at the residence option.

WHAT IS INCLUDED? • Accommodation throughout your program at a home stay or residence. • Breakfast and dinner (Home stay option) • Orientation upon arrival • Airport transfer on arrival to Quito • Transfer back to the airport at the end of the program • Full on-site support and assistance • On-site 24 hour emergency contact number WHAT IS NOT INCLUDED? • Personal travel insurance • All items of personal nature • Any extra activities and excursions not described on the planned itinerary • Alcoholic beverages/extra snacks

PICTURES OF THE PROJECT