Project Summary

Spend your Spring Break volunteering in Ecuador on this sustainable economic and community development initiative supporting 50 families in their fight to preserve their cultural identity and community. In 1995, with support from NGOs and international cooperation, the project was started and and focused on community organisation and conservation. Using sustainable approaches including organic gardening, the use of small-scale dairy processing factories, jam making from local resources and ecotourism they have been building sustainable livelihoods and manageable tourism.

The area was designated as a protected area meaning that no incentives were offered therefore avoiding monoculture, agrochemical use, logging and mass tourism. Scientific work in the area have helped to restore the biological and cultural basis by running research projects. Come and volunteer and help the project to continue the progress that has been made while enjoying a full day excursion to Quilotoa volcano and experience one of the most beautiful lagoons in South America.

Why choose this project?

During your Spring Break Volunteering on a Sustainable Community Project in Ecuador you will not only have an amazing time, but contribute as well to an ongoing program that supports sustainable livelihoods and preserves culture, which is incredibly important to the people living here. The impact of your time spend will benefit the community and the environment, and you will gain an incredible insight into local customs. You will be able to meet the project beneficiaries and share your ideas and experiences with the local community, as well as build up experience to add to your CV/resume while improving your Spanish speaking skills.

Role of the volunteer

Spring Break volunteers will be involved in a couple of activities, due to the length of their placement. The exact activities will be determined nearer to your placement but could include:

• environmental education for local school children
• forestry research of how to use local resources on non-industry related purpose, for example orchids, medicinal plants etc.
• organic gardening – planting. clearing and harvesting organic plants to support local women
• physical agriculture work on family farms
• community based activities such as maintaining camping trails, developing composting systems, maintaining the camping area etc.
• jam making, food processing -or local cheese production

There is always plenty to do and as well as the above volunteers will find themselves participating in social events, sporting activities and festivals that are important to the community.

Skills Required

To join our Spring Break Volunteering on a Sustainable Community Project in Ecuador you are not required to have any specific skills apart from Spanish. You will need to be a confident Spanish speaker (level B2 Independent User of CEFR) to participate in activities and to gain the most out of the project and your homestay placement.

All volunteers should be flexible, patient, creative and come with a can-do attitude to get the most out of this placement and to make the maximum contribution to the community. Anyone with an interest in organic gardening, jam making, horticulture, early childhood education or community development will really enjoy this placement. You will be asked to send your CV/resume before being accepted onto this project.

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