Program Photos
Teaching Ecuadorian Andes - Quilotoa Volunteer Project
Location: Ecuador: Rural Areas
Program Duration: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks
Marcella E8-45 and Shyris Ave. Quito, Ecuador
Call Us
Phone: 3052905390 (USA) 593-2 2873170 (Ecuador)
Description
The project is located in a small village in the Ecuadorian Andes, about 4 hours by bus from Quito. This traditional village is inhabited by significant populations of both indigenous people and mestizos. The village lies in the Quilotoa area, which is becoming more and more popular with tourists. Tourists come from around the world to this area to enjoy the many hiking trails, to visit the remarkable indigenous markets, and to see the famous Quilotoa Crater lake (Laguna de Quilotoa).
The project is centered in a small eco-friendly hostel, managed by a Dutch-Ecuadorian couple. This hostel will be the base of your volunteer project. The managers also have another hostel in Latacunga and a tour operation. Sometimes the hostel is run from Latacunga with help of young local woman who is in charge of the cleaning and cooking. At other times, the hostel is managed by other volunteers. If your project activities include managing the hostel, the local contact will always be close by. But, often, it will happen that you are alone in the hostel, and you will be responsible for receiving and registering the guests.
The natural area surrounding the hostel provides many beautiful hikes. Besides helping in the hostel, you can help at the local school (primary and secondary), by teaching English or assistant the teachers, reading books to the village children and to children from the surrounding communities.
You are invited to learn about how people live in the surrounding countryside. Also, the project offers excellent opportunities to meet a wide variety of different people, including people from the village, lots of children, and tourists from around the world.
But, please take into account that things in Ecuador, in general, will take more time than you are used to, and the work pressure is much less. Nevertheless, everyone involved in the project will be very happy that you make the effort to come and to help them. So, if you show a lot of initiative, and if you accept that life runs at a slower pace in this project, youll have a great time!
What will you be doing?
- Teaching at the local school (primary and secondary)
- Reading books to the children of the village
- Playing games with the smaller kids.
- Helping at the hostel, including:
- Cooking
- Welcoming tourists
- Helping in the garden
- Shopping on the local markets
- All other activities that might occur.
Highlights
Working hours:
Normally, you will work from Monday through Friday. In the morning, you will volunteer at the local schools, in the afternoon and at night you help at the hostel. You'll have plenty of time to prepare your classes for the next day, to hike with Nina (the hostel dog), or to just relax in a comfortable hammock.
NOTE: In the hostel, there is sometimes Internet access for USD 0.05 per minute, so you can bring your own laptop, if you want. Also, family and friends can call you phone.
Activities:
The project is situated in the Quilotoa area, a beautiful natural area with many great hikes. Of course you'll have to make the walk to visit the beautiful and mysterious Quilotoa crater lake. And don't forget to visit the indigenous markets of the area, including the Saturday market in Zumbahua, the Thursday market in Saquisili, and the Monday market in Guantualo.
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Cost in US$:
None (0)
Cost Includes:
Cost Include Description:
Time volunteering: 2 months minimum. We welcome volunteers all year round.
Project Costs: None (0)
Volunteer Project Includes: Pick up at airport in Quito; free night with a host family in Quito including breakfast and transfer from host family to bus station in Quito;
Accommodation in a hostel (shared room and showers hot water); during your stay in the hostel, you will get three meals a day, you can choose to have lunch at the school. The teachers and children will greatly enjoy it if you join them!
During high season, it can be possible that your accommodation will be arranged elsewhere in the village, because of tourist bookings at the hostel.
Not included: Administrative costs of Eco Volunteer UP; extra expenses; bus fares, meals on the weekends, trips.
Required: Volunteers should have an intermediate level of Spanish.
Credit Available
no
Volunteer Types
- Childcare/children
- Community Centers
- Community Development
- Community Health
- Community Organizing
- Cooking
- English Teaching
- Music
- Nutrition
- Orphans
- Primary Education
- Public Education
- Recreation
- Street Kids
- Teaching
- Volunteering
- Women
This Program is open to
Worldwide Participant.
Participants Travel to Ecuador
Independently or in Groups
Application Process Involves
- Online Application plus Application Assessment
Eco Volunteer UP Foundation's Mission Statement
We are a non-profit organization which is legally recognized by the Ecuadorian Government. Volunteers with Eco Volunteer UP have the choice of many worthy programs, such as vulnerable orphanages, institutes for children with disabilities, street children and local indigenous communities. There are volunteer programs located in and around Quito, the capital of Ecuador, as well as programs located in the Cloud Forest and its communities close to Quito, the Ecuadorian Amazon, the Galapagos Islands and other key places around Ecuador. We offer volunteers real immersion in the various Ecuadorian ecosystems, and the unique opportunity for learning and sharing about Ecuadorian cultures, costumes and traditions.
