About CENIT

El Centro de la Niña Trabajadora – or the Center for the Working Girl – is a non-profit organization devoted to helping working children and their families overcome grinding poverty and improve the quality of their lives through education, job training, nutrition programs, health and social services, psychological help and recreation.

Working children in Ecuador perform low-skilled jobs in order to help their families make ends meet. Repetitive labor at a young age can prevent children from getting the stimulation they need for proper intellectual and motor skill development.

Note: CENIT is run by Catholic nuns from the order of the Sisters of the Good Shepherd, but welcomes all volunteers regardless of race, religion, or sexual preference.

A Snapshot of Quito

Quito is bustling historic city with many lively markets full of colorful vendors. CENIT is located in the Southern part of Quito, just 20 minutes from Old Town near the El Camal market, a busy and bustling local market.

Volunteering at CENIT 

Although typical volunteering opportunities at CENIT are two months, CENIT often welcomes one day volunteers to help at the day care programs that CENIT offers at the local markets, for children who work with their parents in the market. These daycares centers help the children begin their early childhood education and receive the attention and they need to thrive, and also offer them the opportunity to play and to learn basic hygiene. If volunteers have creative skills it is also possible to help with a creative project for the kids! Click on the link below to learn more about the organization and about volunteer opportunities. You may contact them directly through their website or use the contact form below.