VOLUNTEER INFORMATION

First Name *

Last Name *

Email *

Phone *

Address

Street Address *

City

State

Country

Postal code

How did you first hear about OSSO? *

What was the name of the event? *

EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION

Emergency Contact Full Name *

Emergency Contact Email *

Emergency Contact Phone Number *

Relationship with Emergency Contact *

PERSONAL / ECCLESIASTICAL REFERENCE INFORMATION

Personal references may not include family members.

Full Name *

Phone *

Email *

Relationship *

PROFESSIONAL REFERENCE INFORMATION

Full Name *

Phone *

Email *

Relationship *

VOLUNTEER DATE AND LOCATION

List your preferred volunteer location, if any. *

Wherever there is greatest need

Cuenca, Ecuador

Quito, Ecuador

If you have a preferred location, please explain below.

SECURITY

You will be working with vulnerable children. Ecuadorian law and OSSO policy are crafted to protect the children. Please answer the following questions.

I consent to a background check. I acknowledge that failure to pass the background check forfeits my application fee and nullifies my application. *

Yes

Ecuadorian law prohibits taking photos of any child at an orphanage. Do you agree to never take any cameras or picture-taking devices to the orphanages? *

Yes, I understand and agree.

CODE OF CONDUCT

In order to volunteer, all OSSO volunteers are required to sign and agree to abide by the Code of Conduct. Please read and sign below.

OSSO Rules and Code of Conduct

The number-one priority of OSSO’s rules is to ensure the safety of volunteers and children.

OSSO's rules are required due to cultural and legal differences between the USA and Latin America, which may lead to safety concerns in some situations. Additionally, each orphanage we work in has its own set of rules, which your Volunteer Directors will train you on.

1. Safety Rules

Volunteers are prohibited from being outside the volunteer facility alone.

Daytime: When exploring the city or traveling, the minimum group size is two people.

After dark: No volunteers are allowed outside the compound without permission from a Volunteer Director.

Volunteers must notify OSSO staff of their intended destination(s) before leaving the grounds.

Consumption of alcohol or drugs (including marijuana), smoking, and vaping are strictly prohibited inside or outside the OSSO compound.

Bars, clubs, and party attendance are not allowed outside the OSSO compound.

Physical, sexual, or verbal abuse of any child, volunteer, director, or orphanage worker is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate dismissal from the program at the volunteer’s own expense.

Reckless actions that put children, staff, or volunteers at risk of harm are strictly prohibited.

2. Dress and Grooming

The people of Ecuador are conservative in dress and grooming. Volunteers should dress modestly, neatly, and cleanly to show respect and strengthen relationships.

Crop tops, tank tops, or off-the-shoulder shirts are not allowed at any time.

Shorts are not allowed while serving or in public.

Knee-length dresses or skirts are allowed but not while serving in orphanages.

3. Religion

While OSSO is aligned with the principles, teachings, and values of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we respect the diverse beliefs of volunteers and the orphanages we serve.

Demeaning or criticizing another’s beliefs is not allowed.

Proselytizing to advance any religious doctrine or agenda in orphanages is strictly prohibited.

4. Confidentiality and Photos

OSSO requires all volunteers to treat each child’s personal story and information with the highest respect and confidentiality.

No phones or cameras are allowed on shift.

In Ecuador, it is illegal to photograph the children and residents of orphanages.

Any correspondence with children and individuals we serve must be approved by orphanage staff.

5. No Dating or Sexual Relations

Volunteers are not allowed to date or participate in physical, sexual, or inappropriate talk/relationships with fellow volunteers, directors, staff members, or local individuals while participating in OSSO’s program.

Flirting with local Ecuadorians is a safety concern and strictly prohibited.

Married couples or pre-established relationships before arrival are permitted appropriate physical contact.

Individuals of the opposite sex are not permitted in each other’s rooms, except for married couples or adult couples in a pre-existing relationship before volunteering with OSSO.

6. Non-Compliance and Dismissal

Due to the importance of ensuring safety and maintaining strong relationships with the orphanages we serve, any volunteer who blatantly disregards these rules will be:

Immediately dismissed from the program.
Sent home at their own expense.

7. Acknowledgment and Agreement

I hereby acknowledge that I have reviewed and understand the OSSO Rules and Code of Conduct, as outlined above.

I understand the responsibilities, expectations, and guidelines listed and agree to abide by them while participating in this program.

I commit to upholding the standards and procedures set by Orphanage Support Services Organization (OSSO) and acting in accordance with its policies.

I understand that if I disregard or break OSSO’s rules, I will be dismissed from the program and sent home at my own expense.

Acknowledgement of OSSO Rules and Code of Conduct *

Clear

I hereby acknowledge that I have reviewed and understand the Code of Conduct, as outlined above. I understand the responsibilities, expectations, and guidelines listed, and I agree to abide by them while participating in this program. I commit to upholding the standards and procedures as presented and to act in accordance with Orphanage Support Services Organization's policies. I understand that if I disregard or break OSSO rules I will be dismissed from OSSO’s program and sent home at my own expense.

VOLUNTEER PHYSICAL AND MENTAL HEALTH

Please read carefully and answer. We cannot support you during volunteer service if we don't know what you need.

Our volunteers dedicate 40+ rewarding hours per week in the orphanages. We seek committed individuals ready to put in the effort for a meaningful experience. Please share how your work, school, or home experience has prepared you for this opportunity abroad. *

Do you feel like you are physically capable of volunteering in orphanages in Ecuador? *

Yes

Do you feel like you are mentally and emotionally capable of volunteering in orphanages in Ecuador? *

Yes

Do you routinely take any prescribed medications? (If yes, please take enough of your medication to last for your entire trip, due to some medications not being available in Ecuador). *

Yes, and I will bring enough with me to last during my time as a volunteer.

Do you have any allergies? *

Do you have any medical, physical, or emotional conditions we should be aware of to ensure your safety and support during your service? *

Disclosing your conditions will not disqualify you in any way. It will enable our directors to be able to know how to support you.

Do you require any dietary accommodations? *

Please let us know if you need any accommodations during your service. *

Sharing your needs helps us ensure your safety and support and will not affect your acceptance into OSSO’s program.

TRAVEL

Ecuadorian officials WILL NOT allow you into the country if your passport is not valid at least 6 months beyond your return date. Is your passport valid for at least 6 months after your planned return home from Ecuador? *

Yes

My passport has not arrived yet

Are you planning on staying in Ecuador to travel after serving with OSSO? *

*Please note than staying more than 90 days in Ecuador requires a visa extension. The visa extension is completed while in Ecuador and incurs an additional $120 fee, which is paid directly to the Ecuadorian government.
OSSO staff will help you complete your extension if one is necessary.

SHARING PERMISSIONS

We use social media and marketing to find more volunteers to be with the children. By continuing, you’re giving OSSO permission to use photos or videos that might include you during your volunteer service to help us share our mission through social media, our website, flyers, and other materials. *

Yes, I understand and agree.

We share volunteer's information with each other so they can coordinate flights and get to know each other before arriving in Ecuador. Do we have your permission to do this? *

Yes, I'd like to get to know my fellow volunteers before I go

No, I'd rather be surprised

You're only two steps away from being done with your application—congrats! 🎉

Step 1: On the next page, you’ll pay your application fee.

Step 2: Right after you pay your fee, you'll be redirected to our background check service.

YOU MUST COMPLETE the background check form to progress your application.

We will run your background check while simultaneously reaching out to your references. It's a two-for-one!

APPLICATION FEE

Your application fee pays for:

• your background check

• your OSSO t-shirt

• your OSSO sweatshirt

Coupon Code

Will apply to your program fees