Volunteer in Ecuador

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 2-4 weeks
Dates: Any date possible for you to arrive in Ecuador.

Description: Eco-Volunteer UP has a range of volunteer programmes located in Ecuador, South America. It provides volunteer work placements in Quito, the capital of Ecuador and disappearing Cloud Forest. Eco-Eolunteer UP has voluntary work with orphanages, disabled children Institutes, day care centers and is also involved in conservation of mother-earth (pacha-mama) and saving the planet one step at a time. The earth has been slowly contaminated and endangered for hundreds of years by the humans inhabitation, and for that reason we wish to give people an incentive to conserve the forest so that our children will have a place to play and breathe in safety.

About Ecuador

The smallest country in the jagged Andean highlands, Ecuador is among the most amazing travel destinations in South America. With its array of effervescent indigenous cultures, well preserved colonial architecture, striking volcanic landscapes and dense rainforest, Ecuador offers a perfect destination for students, explorers, and volunteers. The Galapagos Islands are lauded as one of the world's greatest natural history treasures, their unique diversity of plant and animal life providing a living textbook for ecologists and ogles alike.

The flora of Ecuador counts between 20,000 and 25,000 vascular plants (plants with flowers, ferns and coniferous) - 10% of the world's total amount. There are many orchids, about 2,700 species - 11% of the world's total amount. The fauna is also huge, 706 species of fish, more than 400 species of amphibians - occupying the 4th place in the world; 400 species of reptiles - 4% of the world's total amount; 320 species of mammals - 8% of the world's total amount; more than 1,550 species of birds - 8% of the world's total amount.

In Ecuador, our volunteer projects are located in the cultural city of Quito and Urcu Puyujunda Cloud Forest Eco-Lodge, a beautiful mountain range of the Choco Andean. If you are planning to explore the real cultural and natural beauty of Ecuador, why not start your adventure by joining one of our voluntary positions, Spanish courses, village hiking expeditions, or sightseeing of some of the cultural wonders of Ecuador. Eco-Volunteer UP offers you unique opportunities to explore the great land of Ecuador while working for children and people in teaching, orphanage projects, health, forest placements with its flora, fauna and other community development projects.

Ongoing volunteer projects:

* Teaching English to the children of Las Tolas
* Work on Urcu Puyujunda Organic Farm
* Conservation project in the Cloud Forest
* Environmental and Scientific Research in the Cloud Forest
* Environmental Education in the Las Tolas community
* Community project
* Orphanage project in Quito
* Disabled Children project in Quito
* Day care project in Quito
* Health Project

Highlights: Volunteer and Free Private Spanish Lessons in Ecuador

Join Eco-Volunteer UP volunteer program in Ecuador and receive FREE Spanish lessons 2 hours a day (10 hours per week) for up to 12 weeks!

The classes take place in a relaxed, group setting at two different two levels - basic and intermediate (sorry, no advanced level). All the volunteers have the option of attending these free lessons. Volunteers can attend for two weeks (cloud forest volunteers) up to a maximum 12 of weeks (Quito volunteers). Our Spanish lessons are taught by pleasant, young teachers who will give you an orientation in the first day followed by a brief diagnostic assessment. The diagnostic assessment is geared toward determining which of level of instruction best suits your Spanish speaking ability.

Spanish lessons are available to all of our volunteers:

For those that choose to volunteer in Quito, the Spanish lessons are taught in the city and in the Conocoto valley (just outside Quito near one of the Quito volunteer locations). Typically, participants in the Quito project take the Spanish lessons in the afternoon after their volunteer work is complete.
Those that choose the cloud forest project may elect to stay in Quito for the first two weeks in order to take advantage of the free Spanish classes before they begin their volunteer work. Participants who choose this option simply need to account for those two weeks in the cost of their stay (please review our Program Fee information for more details).

This is a great opportunity as volunteers have the opportunity to practice the Spanish they learn while working in either project. However, these Spanish lessons are optional and participants may choose to discontinue their lessons at any time.

* Spanish classes in Quito generally cost around $6 per hour. Volunteers joining in our programs for the duration of three months can receive 120 hours of free Spanish lessons a market value of approximately $720.

Qualifications: Must have a special interest for affected children and conservation of the Cloud Forest.

* Voluntary Positions in the Cloud Forest *

Accommodation
The volunteers that choose any of these projects in the Cloud Forest will stay at Urcu Puyujunda Eco-Lodge or with a host family in Las Tolas village (depending the project). The place comprises of six cabins, each with a private bathroom and balcony for watching birds and bedding is provided.

The volunteers can stay from 15 days at any time of the year because the community needs support. During the volunteer placement Urcu Puyujunda Cloud Forest Eco-Lodge provides you with a determined project and then you can choose your own itinerary. There will be a native guide all the time who will help you with anything you need. The schedule is about 4 to 6 hours per day. You have days off for travelling or sharing with the local people. The food is healthy and nutritious and is prepared by the cook of Urcu Puyujunda Cloud Forest Eco-Lodge.

What to Bring
- Clothes (T-shirts, trousers, shorts, sweaters, shoes)
- Torch
- Rubber boots (you can buy these in Quito)
- Backpack
- Rain coat
- Sun block
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Sandals
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Personal items

* Volunteer in Quito *

Accommodation
The volunteers that choose the projects in Quito will stay with a friendly Ecuadorian host family near their programme. The volunteers can be stay for as long as they like, at any time of the year because the orphanage and children need your help.

What to Bring
- Clothes (T-shirts, trousers, shorts, sweaters, shoes)
- Backpack
- Sun block
- Bathing suit
- Towel
- Sandals
- Camera
- Binoculars
- Personal items

Cost in US$: 1 week: $ 150; 2 weeks: $ 290; 3 weeks: $ 420; 4 weeks: US$550; 6 weeks: US$805; 8 weeks: US$1035; 10 weeks: US$1280; 12 weeks: US$1510

Program Fees in Cloud Forest cover: Orientation and support during the time you are volunteering, pick up airport, transfer from the Eco Volunteer UP office to the bus station, three meals per day, and accommodations.

For all of the programs offered, Eco Volunteer UP does not require that you to send any money in advance. Payment in full is requested upon your arrival in Ecuador.

Salary / Pay: The volunteers of the project can benefit from the experience of and learn about a different ecosystem and culture (local life) They can improve their Spanish language and also play traditional sport with the community, two days of the week you can camp, hike, fish and explore the Cloud Forest and play. The volunteers will receive a certificate at the end of the programme. Overall it's a great experience!

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: A person who really wants to help the poor children, work in the Cloud Forest and know different cultures.

This Program is open to American, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently Or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Written Application

Eco-Volunteer Urcu Puyujunda's Mission Statement: Urcu Puyujunda is an organization designed to help people and disappearing Cloud Forest near Quito, the capital of Ecuador. Our main objective is to help the children, who are the future of the country, especially those with the fewest economic resources. Urcu Puyujunda is also involved in conservation of 'mother-earth' (pacha-mama), and is working to save the planet one step at a time. There are many orphanages, special Institute for disabled children, they need help, so the volunteers who are interested in these projects are very welcome.

Year Founded: 1999