Amazon Rainforest Preservation - Ecuador

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tena

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks and 9-12 weeks
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: multiple start dates year round

Description: Be part of it with i-to-i!
Our goal is to achieve 400yrs of combined volunteering all over the world by the end of 2008.

So far we have achieved 325yrs which when broken down means we achieved the following:

- Over 5500 children cared for on our community projects around the world
- A minimum of 13,000 children and adults taught English in schools and community centres
- Hundreds of animals protected including Turtles, Pandas, Elephants, Monkeys and more
- At least 80 homes and structures built for families and communities in need
- More than 8000 trees planted which are enough trees to offset the CO2 emissions of over 2,000 cars

Why not help protect animals and their homes?

It's no wonder that this sanctuary splits its time between protecting the environment and animals because the futures of both are interlinked. The other similarity is that both will wow you when you first set foot here! The Parque Amazonica La Isla intends to replicate the Amazonian ecosystem and is full of flora and fauna as well as monkeys, tapirs, macaws, toucans and caymans. If you've got a passion for animals you're probably keen to protect their habitats too, and this project gives you experience of both as well as guiding tourists around the centre. In your spare time you can also enjoy all the other pleasures of jungle life like white-water rafting, hiking and kayaking.

Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here:
http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html

Highlights: What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?

"As well as the work on the project which has been very interesting, we went whitewater rafting at the weekend which was a lot of fun! I'm looking forward to coming back and visiting all these great places again." (Radhika Voleti)

Living and working in the Amazon Jungle!

There are approximately 250 different species of trees in one hectare, and close to 1,500 species of plants in the same area. 17 new species were found within the reserve. There are 112 species of reptiles and amphibians, 222 species of orchids, and 51 species of mammals (among them pumas and jaguars), so far.

Qualifications: Beginner to intermediate Spanish language skills will be extremely useful. General fitness and lots of enthusiasm is definitely needed for all the reserves. Volunteers also need to be ready to take on any tasks that may be required of them, and to get dirty in the process!

Cost in US$: $1750.00 for 2 weeks, $260.00 for every week thereafter

Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instruction
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety & culture shock
- contact details to pass along to your family

When you arrive we provide:
- pick-up from the airport on the designated arrival date
- welcome orientation
- accommodation & food (3 meals a day)
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team

You will always have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.

Age Range: 18-80

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Phone Interview

Post Services Include:

• Alumni Network

i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 50,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses. With over 400 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.

Year Founded: 1994