Ecuador
Colonial charm meets the wild outdoors in Ecuador. Serve the children at CRECER and meet your new favorite country on this Therapy Adventure.
Nestled at the foot of its own volcano in the Andes mountains, the town of Ibarra is a perfect place to call home while adventuring in Ecuador. Work side-by-side with the clinicians at CRECER to help children gain confidence in their abilities and reach their goals. For excursion days, Ecuador boasts beautiful landscapes filled with volcanoes and waterfalls, charming historic downtowns, and some of the largest artisan markets in the world.
Where You Will Serve
Create lifelong bonds with volunteers and fieldwork students from across the U.S. and the world. See a group of aspiring clinicians at the offices of CRECER in a recent photo.
Connecting with the children and people at CRECER and in Ecuador is one of the ways your therapy adventure will be meaningful. Play and interact with children in a way that advances their developmental goals.
Students and volunteers contribute to the clinic in many ways from assisting and providing therapies, to making materials, to decorating therapy spaces so the clinic is client-friendly and inviting.
Students at the CRECER outpatient center.
The work at CRECER is never done, which makes it so meaningful.
Housing Options
The Backpacker Hostal is conveniently located within easy walking distance to both the clinic and several charming restaurants and cafes.
Your Transportation
When you arrive at the airport in Quito, and while you are in Ecuador, transportation will be provided. Our people will welcome you at the airport and our drivers will shuttle you to our therapy clinic spaces.
You will be shuttled around in a van similar to this one by our experienced drivers.
Our People
Elaine Keane, OTD, OTR/L was elected by the Board of Directors to be the first Executive Director of CRECER at the first annual meeting on July 26th, 2010. Dr. Keane has been an occupational therapist since 1985. She has practiced in a variety of settings including hospitals, nursing homes and outpatient rehabilitation. She first went to Ecuador to do volunteer work in 2001.
Susana Albuja was elected by the Board of Directors to be the Program Manager for CRECER. Sra. Albuja is a past Provincial Director for the National Institute of the Child and Family in the province of Imbabura. She was born and raised in Ibarra, Ecuador, and is currently living in Quito. She has worked closely with Dr. Keane to develop volunteer sites in and around Ibarra and continues to ensure the activities of the organization run smoothly.
