The Book Bus in Ecuador
If you enjoy telling stories of your adventures, why not have an adventure telling stories to South American children as a story-teller with the Book Bus in Ecuador.
The Book Bus operates all year and we need volunteers to join us for a minimum of 2 weeks or up to 1 year. Climb on board as a volunteer on any Saturday as we travel around the unique country of Ecuador. Book Bus volunteers will work with school children in the Andes, the Amazon and the Pacific coast and will be based in each region for 3 months according to the school academic year and weather conditions. To find out where the bus will be throughout the year see the details below and download the fact sheets.
Volunteer with us this year and really make a difference.
SOMETHING COMPLETELY DIFFERENT
The Book Bus is one of our more unusual ventures. It provides a unique opportunity to volunteer as a member of the crew of the travelling Book Bus in Ecuador, a very special mobile service for children in South America. Throughout the year the bus will tour Ecuadorian schools promoting reading and story telling to disadvantaged children. The bus has been uniquely designed by much-loved children’s illustrator Quentin Blake, who has recently become a trustee of The Book Bus Foundation.
SHARE YOUR PASSION
Do you have a passion for books and a desire to share the magic of stories with children?
If you combine these two traits, then please consider climbing aboard and volunteering with us, your contribution to the Book Bus could help children become readers for life, boosting their education and quality of life in the future. As a Book Bus volunteer you will visit schools in Ecuador loaded with a cargo of picture books, painting equipment and musical instruments. Wherever you stop you will read to the children, paint and make music with them, encouraging the children to dramatise the books they have read or create a piece of art from it; the required resources are carried on the bus and we donate a box of books to each community. Children are only part of our working relationship! Working closely with the teachers we share ideas and skills to help develop after school book clubs with the books we loan.
FIGHT INEQUALITY
If you believe everyone has the right to an education, this project could be perfect for you. Whilst education and learning to read is taken for granted here in the UK, in Ecuador the provision of public schools falls far below the levels needed. Class sizes are often very large and in rural areas only 10% of the children go on to high school. The Ministry of Education states that the mean number of years completed is 6.7. With nearly 40% of Ecuadorians living in poverty, there is a real need for educational assistance and the Book Bus project will make a real difference to many young lives.
WHAT CAN I DO?
It’s not a question of throwing money at a problem – it’s about spending time getting involved. You will be fully-involved in running the week’s activities, which requires participation with the children through reading, storytelling, art and sport. It will be hard work, but is infinitely rewarding.`
Please NOTE: If you’re particularly keen on this venture, please make sure you book soon as spaces on the Book Bus are limited. We are looking for volunteers to join us for a minimum of 2 weeks or more..
Price: Two weeks on board is £735 plus a local payment of $200
You can add on additional weeks for £195 plus $100 per week
We have special rates for students and long placements..Find out more >>
Included: Breakfast whilst on project, Accommodation on the project, 24/7 assistance, local qualified leader, transportation whilst on the project.
Not included: Transfers from Quito to project site (we can arrange these), International flights, travel insurance, tips and personal expenditure.
THE DETAILS
The bus will operate throughout the year and each school we visit will have a designated “Book Bus Day”. We spend this day at the school and work around class timetables to provide resources, energy, ideas and time to listen to children read. Our visit day is often the only time when these schools will have access to a wide variety of books.
HABLA ESPANOL?
If you are new to Spanish you can learn in country at our language school in Quito or in the UK before you depart. We also have links with Spanish schools in Puerto Lopez, Cuenca and Guayaquil…..email for more details. If your Spanish skills are a bit out of practice and feel you would benefit from a refresher course you can touch up your skills and familiarise yourself with the subtle differences between the Spanish language in Europe and Latin America then join us at our language school in Quito from 1 week to 6 months.
It is important that you have a good grasp of the Spanish language however confidence and enthusiasm are more important than grammar and punctuation.
Short on time? Enrol in an online Spanish course with Don Quijote
WHEN & WHERE
VentureCo is an ATOL bonded company and can arrange your international flights.
VentureCo can also arrange a meet and greet service in Quito with a range of accommodation options. Please see “arrival package” download at the top of the page.
The Book Bus year is split into 4 seasons.
4th Jan 2011 to 9th April 2011
SEASON 1 – AMAZON JUNGLE
Joining point: Tena
Accommodation: Hostal (small family-owned guesthouse)
Find out more on Tena and the Amazon Jungle – See box at the top of the page.
9th April 2011 – 18th June 2011
SEASON 2 – ESMERALDAS, PACIFIC COAST
Joining point: Esmeraldas
Accommodation: Family stay
Find out more about Esmeraldas and the Pacific coast – See box at the top of the page. 18th June 2011 - 10th September
SEASON 3 – PUERTO LOPEZ, PACIFIC COAST
Joining point: Puerto Lopez
Accommodation: Self contained project house (“3 season” sleeping bag required)
Find out more about Puerto Lopez and the Pacific coast – See box at the top of the page.
12th September 2011 – 3rd December 2011
SEASON 4 – HIGH ANDES
Joining point: Riobamba
Accommodation: Family stay
Find out more about Riobamba and the Andes Mountains – See box at the top of the page.
You can reserve a place on board by completing a booking form and paying a deposit of £100.
Staying on
Have you thought what to do before or after your project?
How about a volcano trek or a visit to the Galapagos Islands.
For more ideas and inspiration please contact us