Community Volunteer Program El Triunfo

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Tungurahua

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: September to July

Description: This project seeks to improve the quality of life in rural communities via changes in habits, behavior and developmental alternatives, in harmony with the communities´ surrounding environment.

El Triunfo Area is located to the east of the province of Tungurahua, with an altitude of 2500 meters above the sea, near Río Verde Area (Baños).
El Triunfo is surrounded by Humid Mountainous Forest. As well, it is 2km from the National Park Llanganates that forms part of the Bio-reserve Condor which is an area of importance for the conservation of the birds (AICA EC056). It is also on the list of RAMSAR places. (RAMSAR places are the most humid places around the world and therefore, the most important.)

Program Description
The project focuses on the social and environmental development of the rural communities in Ecuador. Creating alternative ways of contribution and finding solutions to the problems arising from the relations between the communities, and their economic and environmental development.

We will reach our goals through:
-Reinforcing development in the communities with the help of volunteers.
-Supporting education in the communities with the participation of volunteer teachers and the improvement of school infrastructures.
-Supporting the agricultural and productive activities in the area.
-Encouraging environmental activities by bringing in professionals from -various areas of expertise.
-Promoting programs of environmental consciousness.
-Developing investigation projects in local ecosystems in order to carry out effective conservation of the communities' natural resources.

Volunteer Activities
The volunteer can help in the following areas:
- Education of the inhabitants of the communities for economic improvement, in symbiosis with environmental protection, developing Bird watching tourism.
- Education of the volunteer mothers who look after the children in day care centers without formal qualifications.
- Basic education and support of the children (the volunteer will work as a teacher as well as assist the teachers already working with the children).
- Environmental education.
- Improvement of school infrastructures and equipments, libraries and playgrounds.

Social Area
- Improving the Education methods: Work at the school, teaching and helping with English, computer skills or extra activities such as class trips.
- Day-care centers, helping with activities like: taking care of children, feeding them etc. or training community mothers.
- Agriculture: help with the daily chores of the commoners such as picking fruit (blackberries), milking cows etc.
-Environmental Area Triunfo's Avifauna: Avifauna Censuses, analysis, purification and renewing of the database information.
-Environmental Education: Help with the activities planned by the environmental teacher, work with the students.

Duration
The school year runs from September to July, and the volunteers' work schedule is 8 hours a day from Monday to Friday.

Highlights: Volunteers will have the weekends off, and can use this time to hike in the surrounding areas or visit the handicrafts markets. There are various tourist attractions in the area such as the Mindo Cloud Forest, the Páramos or Highlands and the thermal baths.

Qualifications: In order to participate in the volunteer program, you need to choose one of the available projects according to your personal preferences and aptitudes.
-Biologists, ecologists or persons interested in these areas.
-Teachers or educators.
-Persons willing to help and collaborate.
-Coordinator of a school project.
-Director for the implementation of Bird watching tourism in the community.

It is essential that the volunteer has an intermediate knowledge of Spanish, as without it he/she will not be able to make a significant contribution; the inhabitants of the community speak only Spanish. The volunteers must be able to hold conversations and participate in discussions in Spanish. On their arrival into Quito, all non-Hispanic volunteers will have to pass a Spanish exam before going into the project. If the volunteer is not at this level, Ecuador Volunteer could help him/her to find the best program to improve his/her abilities in Spanish before starting the project. The inhabitants of the communities speak only Spanish. The volunteers can be male or female, and must be over the age of 18. Volunteers need to be able to commit to a minimum of one month's stay, with no maximum time limit determined by the project.

The volunteer should
-Have patience in order to work with and enjoy the company of school -children.
-Preferably have experience in working with children.
-Be able to work in a team.

Cost in US$: 290.-/month

Accommodation

The main accommodation is the volunteer house, a rural house with very few comforts much like the rest of the buildings in the area. Accommodation with a family in the community is also available, depending on your preference and availability. Your choice of accommodation will be taken into account while preparing for your arrival.
In the volunteer house the rooms are shared, with a maximum of four people per room, sleeping in bunk beds.
The Simbiosis Foundation will provide a sheet, blankets and a hand towel. The project is located at 2800 meters above sea level, and while the daytime temperature is generally pleasant, nights can be quite cold.
Food is served three times a day. The local Simbiosis staff prepares the meals using local and traditional products.
Breakfast includes eggs, milk, tea or coffee, cereal, bread, butter, jam and available fruits.
Lunch is a typical meal composed of tasty soups with a side of chicken or meat, served with rice, potatoes, yucca, grains or beans and a salad.
Dinner varies and is served with a cup of hot tea or coffee.
In case you follow a specific diet i.e. vegetarian or lactose intolerant, the meals can be adapted.
Accommodation and food is provided from Monday to Friday.

Experience Required: yes

-Biologists, ecologists or persons interested in these areas. -Teachers or educators. -Persons willing to help and collaborate. -Coordinator of a school project. -Director for the implementation of Bird watching tourism in the community. -Experience in working with children.

Age Range: at least 18 years

This Program is open to World Wide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently Or in Groups

Application Process Involves:

• Other

Ecuador Volunteer Foundation's Mission Statement: We are Ecuador Volunteer, an international nonprofit organization founded in 1999 committed to the provision of volunteering opportunities in social, educational and community development in Ecuador. Voluntary work opportunities based around Quito and main programs offer experiences of cultural exchanges, work and help with local people. We arrange voluntary placements in the environmental or community area. The environmental involves working in nature on a wide variety of projects, the community works are about helping street children, elderly people and educating people. We dedicate ourselves to alternative solutions to these problems, to make a difference and create a better world in Ecuador.

Year Founded: 1999