VOLUNTEER PROGRAMMES IN ECUADOR

There is a growing trend from all walks of life and all ages from students to retires coming to Ecuador who have made prior inquiries and research with their own countries organizations before departing.

The volunteers of Ecuador have all reported that their help and work skills are a kind of exchange for learning the rich cultural ins and outs of the country in comparison to sight seers as well as coming to know local communities from all aspects. It is essential that at least basic Spanish levels are acquired before coming to Ecuador for comprehension and learning further from the local cultures volunteers often work with. In addition volunteers must pay for their travel and in most cases something for the rustic accommodations offered. For examples of job opportunities available do contact South American Explorers .

Volunteers also offer their services at various eco-lodges and with good backgrounds in field biology can advance their careers significantly as well as improving their intercommunication skills.

Global Volunteer Network .- Volunteer in one of six different research stations throughout Ecuador. Experience Ecuador's unique ecosystems from the Amazonian rainforest and high altitude cloud forest, to the Galapagos islands and coastal mangrove forests. Volunteers may become involved in research, education, station maintenance, plant conservation, community development, and sustainable agriculture. Visit our website for more information and an application form.

Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation .- (CFTC) , A non-profit organization working in Ecuador to protect some of Ecuador's most pristine habitats. Volunteers are welcome to assist at " El Pahuma Orchid Reserve ", located one hour west of Quito and at a new dry forest site near Pedernales (on the Pacific coast). Ceiba foundation offers many opportunities for those interested in contributing or participating in the conservation projects and study sites operated by CFTC. By becoming a volunteer with CFTC you will be given the opportunity to participate in tropical conservation, community education, nature reserve management and scientific research. Recent volunteers have contributed to biological inventories, botanical garden development, rural environmental education and many other projects. For application instructions, available positions, volunteer guidelines and conditions.

CENIT .- Centro de la Niña Trabajadora (Center for the Working Girl) CENIT, is dedicated to helping working and street children and their families with a special focus on girls and women. Our non-profit, non-governmental organization works with our local community and international volunteers to empower individuals to improve their quality of life and to serve as agents of change in our society. We have a daycare center, a primary school, a drop-in tutoring center, a vocational high school, a street outreach program, an adult education program and a weekly medical service. We also offer assistance to volunteers seeking housing and spanish classes during their stay in Quito. Address: Calle Huacho 150 y Jose Peralta, El Camal - Quito. Tel: (593) 2 265-4260 . E-mail: contact@cenitecuador.org .

Fundación Natura .- Fundación Natura works hard on environmental awareness and education issues and is based south of Quito. Pasochoa is set in plush, warm Andean forest where volunteers will work on reforestation programs, for further information contact Fundación Natura. Av. República 481 and Almagro, Quito. Tel. 2503367.

Fundación Jatun Sacha .- You may participate in Napo's Amazon region on a biological reserve, Bilsa reserve in the hills of Quinindé or at Guandera higher up in the Carchi province.
For further details contact Fundación Jatun Sacha. Address: Pasaje Eugenio de Santillán N34-248 and Maurian, Quito. Tel. 2432246, Fax: 2453583.

Centro de Hospederia La Tola/Los Niños Migrantes.- Another option and placement is with children. This Centro de Hospedería has an overnight facility for homeless and orphaned children as well as being an educational center, which gives tuition in different professions. Volunteers should be available for at least 4 weeks. For further information contact Padre Baschirotto. Address: Valparaiso 887 and Don Bosco, Quito. Tel. 2581312, Fax: 2223426.

Fundación Maquipicuna .- Fundación Maquipicuna also offers conservation of biodiversity, a natural resources program and also work on reforestation, trail building, environmental education and in addition do organic gardening close to Quito for further information contact Bert Witteveen. Address: Baquerizo Moreno E9-153 and Tamayo, Quito, Tel. 2507200, Fax: 2507201.

Fundación Cabo San Francisco
Tel. 593 2 2 788 061

FCSF is concerned with conservationist and environmental principles, with sustainable development of the country and with the defense of the environment and nature, for which has signed the Code of Ethics of the Ecuadorian Committee for the Defense of the Nature and the environment (CEDENMA).

The Foundation offers opportunities for volunteers in communitarian services, investigation and conservation of flora and fauna of the region.

Email. volunteer@fcsf.org

Volunteer in Ciclopaseos
Biciacción:
Contact:Cristian Cerda
Tel: (02) 2 547 516/ 2 527 583

Bored? Tired? Wanna add some outdoor fun to your summer? Come join the Biciacción volunteering team and help organize and run the bike rides that take place in Quito during the last Sunday of each month. Have fun, meet people and get lots of great exercise - all while casting your vote for clean air in the capital!

Email: cristian@cicloviasquito.org

Foundation Golondrinas
Contact:
María Elisa Manteca Oñate
Tel: (06) 648 679/ 648 662/ (02) 2 226 602

The Golondrinas Foundation in the western spurs of the Andes, is one of the most successful grassroots conservation projects in Ecuadorian history and winner of the prestigous Rolex Award for service to humanity. The project has found a recipe for success, reversing the appalling trend toward deforestation in northern Ecuador by involving local farmers and townspeople as well as foreign specialists and volunteers in a well-organized reforestation effort. The project's goal is to conserve a unique forest ecosystem, while improving the standard of living for the people of the region, through the introduction of sustainable agricultural techniques. Volunteers work on various aspects of the reforestation effort while enjoying the beauty of the region and conviviality of the Golondrinas team.

Another way to help the reforestation effort is to buy virgin forest land in the area and then entrusting this land to the care of the Golondrinas Foundation. Contact the foundation for details.

Email: manteca@uio.satnet.net

Volunteeringecuador.org
Contact: Ruth González
Quito - Ecuador
Tel: (02) 2430 119

Use your heart by helping the needy. We are a non for profit legal organization, no one gets any salary with us, we offer a number of projects, especially with poor, abandoned or gravely ill children. The donation-registration fee of $200 permits our donations to the poor and projects; three tours included: Quito Historical; Otavalo Indian Market and the Middle of the World, the Equator line. At the same time, share Ecuadorian homes and culture ($360 per month for room, board and laundry). Learn Spanish on one to one basis with university professors and get unforgettable experiences by visiting beautiful landscapes from snow at the volcanoes, the Galapagos Islands to the fantastic Amazonian jungle.

Email: beto_10017@hotmail.com

Quito Eterno Foundation
Contact: Pablo Boada
Bolivar Oe3-18 y Guayaquil
Quito- Ecuador
Tel: 93-2-2289 506

Volunteer projects include:

Medical attention to low-income communities. Education and development for Special Needs Children. Painting colonial homes in Historical Quito. Home building projects for single parent families. Non-formal education with local students. Teaching English or another language to at-risk youth. Organizational Development with a local NGO. Agricultural and nutritional development with local rural community. Early learning development with a local preschool

Depending on your available time, we plan volunteer trips for 7 or more days. Most work is done in marginal neighborhoods of Quito and in nearby rural communities. We call trips of 7 to 15 days reality tours and trips of 15 or more days volunteer vacations. If you desire an experience similar to that of Peace Corps, but for a short term stay, this is your chance. There is no shortage of communities or projects.

Email: mailto:info@quitoeterno.org


The San Miguel Eco Project

The homepage of a community project which offers exciting trips to the rainforests of Northwest Ecuador and is working with volunteers to increase the opportunities for local people.

Email: admin@ecosanmiguel.org