Community Development Project in the Amazon Basin - Ecuador

Location: Ecuador: Puyo, Rural Areas

Program Duration: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad)

Typical Duration of Program: 5-8 weeks

Dates: Throughout the year

International Volunteers

http://www.internationalvolunteers.org

IntVol - 2828 N. Speer Blvd. Suite 230 Denver, CO 80211 United States

Call Us

Phone: 303-282-4815

Fax: 303-857-5445

Description

Volunteer abroad in Ecuador with a community development organization in Ecuador. The economic crisis of the late 1990s affected almost everyone in Ecuador. Today approximately 40% of Ecuadorians still live below the poverty line. International Volunteers works with several governmental and non governmental organizations in Ecuador devoted to giving small communities the tools they need to pull themselves from poverty. Possible projects include helping with infrastructure development, educational programs, capacity building and microloan programs. Volunteers will work directly with the organizations and community members.

Highlights

Experience the incredible beauty and culture of Ecuador while assisting local organizations and gaining a deep understanding of the people and culture. Volunteers and interns work in community run organizations, gaining firsthand knowledge of the complex development issues Ecuador is facing. Participants have plenty of time to explore the country during the weekends. Ecuador has four distinct regions with almost endless possibilities for adventure.

* The Ecuadorian Andes are some of the most dramatic mountains in the world dotted with small towns, clear lakes, and home to a vibrant and a wide array of microclimates ranging from semi arid highlands to cool, moist cloud forests.
* The Amazonian region is one of the most biologically diverse regions on the planet.
* The coast of Ecuador is one of the poorest regions but also home to pristine beaches and sleepy fishing villages.
* The Galapagos Islands are home to some of the most exotic wildlife in the world and a stunning natural history lesson in action.

Our volunteers are enthusiastically welcomed by the communities they work in and often form long lasting relationships with the people they meet in Ecuador.

Qualifications

Participants in the Ecuador programs must speak Spanish at an intermediate level or higher and be prepared to live and work in a Spanish speaking environment. International Volunteers can arrange for language lessons to complement the program. Participants should also be flexible, adaptable, and open to experiencing a new culture. Please note that community development programs take place in less developed regions of the country, so the living conditions can be basic.

Languages
  • English
  • Spanish

Cost in US$:

Varies depending on duration. Contact us!

Cost Include Description:

* Pre-departure Support: International Volunteers staff is very knowledgeable and happy to help volunteers and interns to prepare for their travels.
* Airport Pickup: Volunteers are met at the airport in Quito and provided with transportation to their host family.
* In-country Orientation: Each volunteer program starts with a two to three day orientation which covers important topics on the logistics of living and working in Ecuador, city tours, help with transportation, and optional Spanish classes
* In-country Staff Support: Our Ecuador coordinator has years of experience working with visitors to Ecuador. She is very resourceful and on call 24/7 in case of emergency.
* Accommodations: Volunteers will stay with a local host family where they will be provided with a room and breakfast and dinner each day. By living with a family, volunteers will learn about the day to day rhythms of Ecuadorian life first hand as well as sample traditional meals not usually available in restaurants. Host families are eager to welcome volunteers and are a fantastic resource for learning about the local culture and sights.

Credit Available

no

Volunteer Types
  • Adult Education
  • Agriculture
  • AIDS
  • Appropriate Technology
  • Banking
  • Building Maintenance
  • Business
  • Community Centers
  • Community Development
  • Community Organizing
  • Computer Training
  • Consciousness-raising
  • Culture
  • Democracy Training
  • Economic Development
  • Education
  • English Teaching
  • Environment
  • Grassroots Organization
  • Health Care
  • Income-generation
  • Indigenous Issues
  • Infrastructure Planning
  • Literacy
  • Micro-enterprise
  • Microcredit
  • Minority Groups
  • Natural Resources
  • Organizational Development
  • Popular Education
  • Small Business Development
  • Social Services, Social Work
  • Strategic Planning
  • Technical Assistance
  • Translation
  • Volunteering
  • Women
Typical Volunteer
There is no typical international volunteer. We work with people from all over the world and a variety of backgrounds. Successful volunteers are flexible, upbeat, energetic and inquisitive.
Age Range
18 - 81
This Program is open to

Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Participants Travel to Ecuador

Independently

Application Process Involves
  • Online Application plus Application Assessment
  • Resume
  • Written Application
International Volunteers's Mission Statement

International Volunteers is the volunteer branch of ELI Abroad, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization, founded in 2001, that partners with organizations from around the world making a difference in their communities. We work closely with these groups to ensure that our volunteers get meaningful experiences at reasonable prices. We have something for everyone: whether you want to teach in Ghana, work in an orphanage in Nepal, animal rescue in the rainforest of Ecuador, medical clinic in South India, or study in a university in Buenos Aires.

Year Founded

2001

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