Beach Conservation Project

  Ecuador

• All Other Regions of Ecuador: 
Rural Areas

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks and 3-6 months
Typical Duration of Program: 9-12 weeks
Dates: all year through

Description: This project allows volunteers to learn more about the Ecuadorian coast and the fishermen livelihood, as well as help to preserve the natural resources of the Ecuador's Pacific Ocean Coast.

Project Description:
This project takes place in the fishing communities' environments, in Punta Blanca. It is really important to pay attention at the social aspect there also. We work in activities aimed at the practice and teaching methodologies to achieve sustainable development in an environment of care and conservation of natural resources.

For this program extends in the following branches:
- Environment, Research and Conservation
- Education and Recreation

The volunteer must travel by bus for 8 hours from Quito. This project is located in a beautiful Ecuadorian beach in Don Juan area, which is located in Manabi Province. "Don Juan" community is a small fishermen village; it is located on the Pacific Ocean shores, besides to the river with the same name. It has a population of 400 people. It is surrounded by two forest types: dry forest and rain-forest where live large number of flora and fauna. Most of the year the weather is warm, and on July to November is a bit cooler. The rainy season runs from January to March and is where record the highest temperatures. In Don Juan there is a kindergarten and a school. There are many services like pip water, electricity.

* Beaches Cleaning

We usually go three times a week to the beach with some bags to collect garbage. The time to go depends on the tide. It has to go out. Then we get the trash to the house to analyze it. We document everything we have collected and count it to record the amount.

For that reason, the volunteer would have to wear clothing that could get dirty, work gloves, a hat, sunscreen and sandals. It is also important to carry a small bottle of water.

Project: We want to build garbage collection centers:
1 - Temporary wastebaskets to set them on the beach.
2 - Garbage collection systems in the communities.
3 To set wastebaskets at the beaches entrances (for the garbage trucks to have access).

* Time To Help Animals On The Sea

Turtles during winter season (January to March) and humpback whales during the summer season (July to September).

a) Turtles: We organize campaigns to help the turtles to reach the beach to set their eggs and then to return to the sea. We also train and give lectures at the schools and to the fishermen groups, by explaining them the way to protect them.
b) Humpback Whale: We register the number of visits that these marine mammals do to our coasts. We give talks in schools and communities that surround the sector to inform them about the data collected.

* Fishermen

Jama, is a village where a large population live from fishing. This work requires, among other things, meetings organizing and support at Buena Vista cooperatives organization that has 42 members.

The volunteer can help with these activities. He/she can accompany the fishermen in their boats to carry out their fishing tasks.

Maria, a fisherwoman that has her house on the beach at Punta Blanca, is the only woman that fish in the area and we can join her every day early in the morning.

* The Group P.S.A.L. (Program for Social Action and Leadership)

It is a program initiated with 8 communities in the area to encourage the production and thus generate extra income for families. In the first phase we are carrying all the efforts to develop a form of tourism that will allow through a small investment the creation of a family business. Volunteers help in this training process. The initiative is very important; each volunteer can contribute with their knowledge.

* The School

You can help in schools and day care centers for the community to be aware of taking care of the environment; weekly campaigns of community cleaning are among these activities. Classes are available from April to December.

Duration:
The minimum time required to work in this project is one month ant the maximum duration is 6 months. It is possible to request a volunteer visa if you want to develop a project that will last more than 6 months. Volunteers will work 8 hours per day, with 8 days off per month. (It is usually a 5 day work week, but it depends on the nature of the project.)
The volunteers will have to work Monday-Friday (8-am 5 p.m.).

Highlights: The holidays will also be your days off. The volunteer may live in peace and tranquility of the natural environment; make campfires on the beach, hiking through the forests around area and nearby communities. Also shared with the fisher families in their free time where you can play soccer, celebrate birthdays, attend parties. You can also visit nearby towns such as Bahía de Caráquez, Canoa Beach and Pedernales. It is also possible to do extreme sports.

Services near the reserve:
The nearest health care facility is in the Jama Village, 20 minutes away from where the project is located. Portoviejo or Manta, about 2 hours away, has excellent hospitals.

Qualifications: You do not need a college education in order to work in the conservation activities. You do need, however, a great interest in the conservation of nature and activities related to human development. A willingness to learn and work a positive attitude. An intermediate level of Spanish is required. If the volunteer is not at this level, Ecuador Volunteer could help him/her to find the best program to improve his/her Spanish skills before starting the project.

We are looking for men and women 18 years or older who are willing to stay at least a month the maximum duration is 6 months.

Cost in US$: 300USD

Accommodation
The cost of the project includes 3 meals daily and the accommodation in the volunteers' house, as well as some excursions, salsa & cuisine classes. The volunteers' house is located 4 km away from Don Juan community, in an area of two hectares in front of the sea. The house has two floors, every room will have to share two people, with capacity for 8 persons maximum, it has electrical service, hot water, and internet and sign to use of cellular-phone. We have camping areas at the beach.

Experience Required: no

Age Range: at least 18

This Program is open to Worldwide 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