Ecuador - Teaching in Patate

Named ‘Avenue of the Volcanoes’ by the German explorer Alexander von Humboldt, the long valley that runs south through Ecuador from Quito is flanked by several active volcanoes and is supposed to be one of the most spectacular drives in the world.

Tucked away here, in the central highlands 3-4 hours south of Quito, Patate overlooks the active volcano Tungurahua and is not far from the beautiful resort town of Ba­­ños, famous for its hot springs.

MondoChallenge volunteers work in two schools in Patate and Patate Viejo (Old Patate). The Escuela Benjamín Araujo has 410 pupils and there are 11 fulltime teachers, while the Escuela Patate Viejo is a much smaller and more rural school located 3k south of Patate.  Depending on the number of volunteers here at any one time, volunteers may divide their time between the two schools, or just focus on one.

Accommodation and food is courtesy of one of two local families, within less than 15 minutes walk from school.

There are frequent buses to Ambato (30 minutes) with onward connections to Quito (2.5 hours.)

Interested? To find out about the next step to becoming a volunteer, read our application process.