Our mission is to provide love and care to children deprived of parental care and to change the lives of the volunteers who love and care for them.
37.0 Safety in Numbers
Make sure you leave in groups of at least two at night. Three or more is even safer.
37.1 Taxi Protocol
When getting in a taxi, make sure someone sits in the front seat by the driver. Do not get into a taxi if a driver already has another rider with them, regardless of who the other rider is.
37.2 Scopolamine Risk
Don’t take anything from anyone on the street (scopolamine risk). Cases of scopolamine poisoning are increasing in Ecuador.
37.3 Cell Phones in Public
Don’t take out cell phones or headphones in public because it will make you a target for pickpockets. Be discreet when using expensive items in public.
37.4 Public Behavior
Walk quickly with a purpose and a destination in mind. When in public, do not make eye contact with men, smile at them, respond to catcalls, or give any attention to them.
Stay aware of your surroundings.
Keep personal items closed and zipped.
37.5 Package Requests
Don’t take any packages back to the US for anyone no matter if you trust them or not.
37.6 Tattoos
OSSO discourages tattoos during service. It is considered high-risk and sanitation cannot be guaranteed.
37.7 Clubs and Bars
Volunteers and DOVEs are not permitted to attend clubs or bars during their service with OSSO due to safety, security, and reputational risk.
37.8 Clothing Requirements
Shoulders and midriffs should be covered. Shorts and skirts should reach at least mid-thigh. No low-cut tops or see-through fabrics. Clothing must be clean and neat when in public, even on free days.
37.9 Private Home Visits
For the safety and protection of both volunteers and the individuals we serve, volunteers are not permitted to visit private homes during their service with OSSO.
The only exception to this policy is visits to the OSSO Operations Coordinator’s home, when explicitly invited and approved as part of program operations.
Visiting private residences—including those of staff, volunteers, community members, or families connected to our partner sites—is strictly prohibited unless explicitly approved by OSSO leadership in advance.
Failure to follow this policy is considered a Code of Conduct violation and may result in removal from the program.