Live with the indigenous people of the Amazon and
support their development projects
Amazon
3 - 12 weeks
Volunteer project: In the Amazon there are communities and ecological reserves which are protected by the natives where volunteers can help with reforestation, agriculture, environmental protection and community tasks. This program is dedicated to true nature lovers who want to experience an eco-adventure and who would be willing to adapt to the modest accommodation offered by these communities.
The volunteers have the opportunity to learn about the jungle thanks of the “Jungle school” where they learn how to catch birds or any kind of animal of the forrest, fishing, travel by canoe, jungle food, night walks through the jungle, medicinal plants cultivations. When there is the opportunity, the volunteers can help in the communities or in the Indian Reserves, in the constructions of houses, cleaning of pads, in the construction of latrines, and other development projects in benefit of the community.
Special requirements: Knowledge of Spanish language is necessary to communicate with the natives because although the community native language is Kichwa, Shuar, and Ashuar, they also understand Spanish.
Language: English / Spanish
Duration of the project: The program is running all year round. Minimum time for volunteering is 3 weeks, up to 12 weeks.
Accommodation: The volunteers will be staying at the
native’s chozas (houses), its infrastructure is very simple; there are
latrines near the houses. The kitchen is very simple, three pieces of
wood and a pot hanging from a piece of branch which is supported by a
rope, is all they need to cook, they don’t have stoves. Access to water,
showers, electricity or telecommunications may be unavailable.
Volunteers can enjoy swimming in the nearby river. The inhabitants
collect rain water, to prepare their food. Their basic diet includes
papayas, bananas, and bitter cane, cooked by the locals with leaves,
noodles, tuna fish, and a special kind of fried bread made with flour.
There is no running water but we will collect fresh water from a spring.
In the project, there's no communications or internet, but you can
access these services traveling two hours by bus to Macas, (the project
is trying to get a radio for communication with Quito).
Location: Our destination is located in the Amazon near to one of the Shuar communities. This is a very beautiful natural area, an ideal placement for volunteers who can adapt to live with very limited comfort.
Age range: 18 and over
Participation fee: $590 CAD
Extra fee: 400 Euro/4 weeks
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
Wildlife
rescue program in the Amazon
Amazon
minimum 4 weeks
Volunteer project: This program is based in the Ecuadorian Amazon. Its main objective is to protect the wildlife of the region. The volunteers will support the work of a Rescue Center and will help providing the best care and living conditions to rescued animals who lived in captivation and semi captivation until their re-introduction to their original habitat. The animals that come to this Rescue Centre are often confiscated in the Police controls by order of the Ministry of Environment, they were victims of illegal traffic, or lived as pets. Some of them were brought to the Rescue center, but the majority of them were abandoned by their “owners”.
Language: English / Spanish
Duration of the project: The program is running all year round. Minimum stay is 4 weeks.
Accommodation: The program offers accommodation in a house just for the volunteers, with kitchen, dinning room, living room, and a phone cabin to receive calls. Lodging is in single, double and triple bedrooms.
Location: This program is located in the Amazon.
Age range: 18 and over
Participation fee: $590 CAD
Extra fee: 480 USD/4 weeks
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
Taking care of special needs children in Quito
Quito
2 - 6 months
Volunteer project: Within this program, international volunteers will support a Special needs School located in the south of Quito. This school for mentally challenged children offers programs to prepare them for their future and how to become independent individuals. Volunteers interested in this school, will need to stay a minimum of eight (8) weeks, in order to follow up with the children’s progress.
The volunteer work consists in assisting the teachers in taking care of the children, playing and teaching them new games. The volunteers will also help the children during lunch time, helping them to learn how to eat by themselves. Volunteers will work from Monday to Friday, afternoons are free and weekends off.
Language: English / Spanish
Duration of the project: The program is running all year except vacations from August 15 to August 31 and December 15 to December 31. Minimum time for volunteering is 8 weeks, with the possibility to extend it up to 6 months.
Accommodation: Accommodation is provided in a house in Quito.
Location: Quito
Age range: 18 - 40 years old
Participation fee: $590 CAD
Extra fee: 320 Euro/4 weeks
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
Support
the educational programs of elementary schools in rural areas of Ecuador
Coast,
Highlands and Amazon
3 - 6 months
Volunteer project: Volunteers are needed nationwide to teach English and Computers (if the school has computers available). Based on the volunteer’s skills and education, it is also possible to volunteer as teachers’ aid for subjects like Math, World History, Environment, Grammar, Science, etc. This project offers the opportunity for volunteers to assist students of Elementary Schools located in rural areas, where students do not have access to English and/or Computer teachers. The majority of the communities where the volunteers will teach have energy, communications and running water, but please have in mind that this is not a general situation; there are towns where running water is not available.
The volunteer work consists in teaching Basic English, Computer and Environmental lessons in country schools with no resources, from the Coast, Highlands and Amazon. To those who have good Spanish knowledge, we offer to assist the children who have learning problems helping them in reading, writing, grammar, mathematics in the afternoons after school (mainly in the schools from the Coast). The Schools do not have didactic materials for English lessons; volunteers are responsible to prepare this material in benefit of the schools, to make exams, and evaluations as well for each grade, a report about the achievement of the students and goals must be given to the Principals of the schools.
Language: English / Spanish
Duration of the project: The program is running all year except vacations from August 15 to August 31 and December 15 to December 31. Minimum time for volunteering is 12 weeks, with the possibility to extend it up to 6 months.
Accommodation: Accommodation and food provided at middle class host families or at the school teachers’ homes. Food (three meals per day are provided during the placement) based on the Ecuadorian diet.
Location: Coast, Highlands and Amazon
Age range: 18 - 40 years old
Participation fee: $590 CAD
Extra fee: 320 Euro/4 weeks
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
Education
and recreation program for street children
Quito
minimum 5 months
Volunteer project: Located in Colonial Quito, this project benefits low income children who work in the streets, and children and adolescents whose parents can not give them sufficient care and attention in their homes. The project helps children by providing a safe place for them to do their homework, watch TV, play table soccer, and to have lunch. Children and adolescents at risk are assisted by the staff of the program and volunteers. They are also assisted by a psychologist provided by the program.
In this project, the volunteers will have the opportunity to look for the children in the streets together with an educator of the program, doing their work directly in the streets, visiting families to get to know why they can not protect their children and why the kids leave their home. The program has several centers where the children can play and study. International volunteers will assist in these centers by helping both the children and the staff. The volunteers will assist the children with their homework, will organize recreation activities, will visit other centers in other provinces along with the children. This program offers placements in the following cities: Quito, Ambato, Santo Domingo de los Colorados, and Esmeraldas.
Special requirements: Basic Spanish knowledge is required.
Language: English / Spanish
Duration of the project: The program is running all year round. Minimum stay is 5 months.
Accommodation: Accommodation and food is provided in a house in Quito.
Location: Quito and neighbouring area.
Age range: 18 and over
Participation fee: $590 CAD
Extra fee: 320 Euro/4 weeks
The extra fee is intended to support the hosting organization who does not have sufficient funds. It is due upon arrival on the project.
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