Environmental Projects in Ecuador

  Ecuador

• Quito: 
Quito

Durations of Program: 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months and 7-12 months
Typical Duration of Program: 3-6 months
Dates: any time

Description: Ecuador is one of the region's most environmentally diverse countries, but many natural habitats are being destroyed by deforestation and desertification. Conservation projects have been established to protect native wildlife and habitats such as rain forests and cloud-forests. Volunteers who are physically fit and enjoy the outdoors are needed to assist in many of these conservation projects.

A typical project:
Santa Lucia Reserve is a community-based conservation organization in the cloud-forests of northwestern Ecuador. Their aim is to conserve and protect the forest while developing sustainable income sources for the local families through eco-tourism and volunteer work. Work involves reforestation, trail building and repair, organic agriculture, and conservation education. Room and board will be provided at Santa Lucia.

Let Volunteers for International Partnership (VIP) introduce you to this extraordinary country and the warmth and hospitality of its people. Go beyond being a tourist and experience Ecuador with Ecuadorians. Immerse yourself in the culture by living with one of our selected host families who will welcome you as another family member. Study at our Spanish Language Center in Quito and prepare for your volunteer experience with one-on-one Spanish classes. Experience cross-cultural and community service orientations, and project visits. Our Program Coordinator provides regular follow-up to assure satisfaction of the volunteer and the host project.

Other projects available in Ecuador include:
Social and Welfare Services - Organizations that cater for the most disadvantaged in society are always in need of volunteer assistants. Placements are available in projects such as day-care centers for poor families, shelters for the homeless and for street children, and respite centers for the disabled. Volunteers must be patient, caring and able to cope with difficult or distressing situations.

Education and Teaching - Many charitable institutions in Ecuador work towards providing an education for the poorest in society who would not otherwise go to school. Knowledge of English provides a major advantage in terms of future opportunities, and this is an area where volunteers can be of great service. Placements are available in several educational institutions in and around Quito.

Qualifications:
* Commitment to volunteer work
* Enthusiasm
* Flexibility
* Ability to work as team member and relate to the community.
* Strong interpersonal skills.
* Skilled and unskilled participants are accepted.

Experience Required: no

Typical Volunteer: Volunteers are committed to community service, interested in others, enthusiastic, flexible and able to work as a team member.

Age Range: 18 and older, except US citizens who must be 19

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to Ecuador Independently

Typically Participants Work Independently

Application Process Involves:

• In-Person Interview when Feasible
• Letters of Reference
• Phone Interview
• Physical Exam/Health Records
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Re-Entry Debriefing at Home

Volunteers for International Partnership's Mission Statement: Volunteers for International Partnership offers each international volunteer an opportunity to learn a culture from the inside while doing valuable community service, peer to peer, in a stimulating new environment. VIP is committed to: *Careful selection and preparation of the volunteer, host family and Host Organization. *Emphasis on the education and self-awareness gained through international community service and volunteering. *Planning the volunteer's intercultural experience to highlight enrichment from cultural differences. *Full immersion in the host culture through orientation, language training, worksite and housing selection. *Individualization of volunteer placement design to take full advantage of volunteer differences in skill, age, experience and diversity. *Effective evaluation of the experience and the Host Organization. *Strong efforts to enhance the volunteer's social adjustment to regional habits and customs. *Choosing volunteer service projects that are worthwhile, safe, meet the needs of the local community and are conducted responsibly with regard to environmental, social and local issues.