Ecuador

Ecuador, named after its position on the Equator, is the second smallest country in South America. The Andes, rising to over 6,300 metres, form its mountainous backbone; the Pacific ocean, surf waves and golden beaches dominate the west, and the upper reaches of the Amazon rainforest fall off to the east. It's also one of our most popular destinations for gap year and career break volunteers, and we offer more choices of projects in Ecuador than in any other country.

The capital city Quito is rimmed with thirty-two volcanoes, most of which are regularly climbed, but one of which is still active. The majority of the highland population are the colourful indigenous Quichua Indians, who still live traditional lives within their forest communities.

The striking beauty of the country and vibrant, friendly culture of the Ecuadorian people mask a reality that is only apparent to those who look below the surface. In Quito there are approximately 24,000 street children, 60% of the population are illiterate, huge areas of the rainforest are felled each day by commercial logging companies and the vast Amazon oil reserves are attracting companies wishing to exploit the pristine forest reserves.

Most of our opportunities for volunteering in Ecuador are ideal for gap year students, but some are better suited to slightly older volunteers taking a career break. Any volunteers with energy, enthusiasm, a desire to help a local community and a wish to learn Spanish are encouraged to apply. Projects for volunteers in Ecuador include:

• Rainforest conservation
• Coastal conservation
• A wildlife animal rescue centre
• Street children, orphanages and a centre for homeless old people
• Medical centres
• Teaching English, computer skills, maths and sports
• Art and craft
• Eco-tourism

Volunteering in Ecuador

General Information

• Language Training

• 	Monika Montes, the Ecuador co-ordinator, is particularly keen that Ecuador volunteers should travel and see more of the country during or at the end of their stay. She is able to plan specialised itineraries for your own expeditions or travel options. She is very well connected and has friends and family in many parts of the country. Please refer to our Ecuador Tour which is a special itinerary for those who have up to three weeks to travel after their project. Ecuador is famous for its indigenous artisan markets, which are rich with traditional crafts. For those interested in expeditions, white water rafting, horse-riding, mountain bike tours, mountain expeditions and guided trips to the Amazon are available and easily organised through Monika. Ecuador has a stunning coastline, a wealth of national parks, Amazon rainforest and the Andean mountain range, all within a country the size of Britain. Public transport is slow but reliable, making Ecuador an easy and exciting country to explore. You will be supplied with up to date safety advice and guidance. Travel in Ecuador is easy and inexpensive, with a great bus network covering the whole country. A short local trip will be organised as part of the Outreach International package during your stay and will be covered by the project costs. However, longer expeditions will have to be financed by you separately. As an Outreach International volunteer, you will receive good discounts at our recommended travel agents.

  Travel & Expeditions

• 	There are no rules about time off, but in most cases weekends are free and many volunteers choose to travel in Ecuador and beyond after their projects. You are, however, expected to work on your projects full time and only take leave with the permission of your project manager and Monika. All projects are linked to initiatives involving Ecuadorian staff, so you will quickly adapt to the local style of working. The key here is to be flexible and to use initiative. Outreach International demands a serious commitment from all volunteers, but at the same time recognises that the nature of voluntary work demands a flexible approach, and we definitely want you to have an enjoyable and rewarding time. With Outreach International's focus on one particular area of Ecuador, you will in most cases have regular contact with other Outreach Ecuador volunteers. This is particularly true in Quito, where you live in close proximity to each other. Often the closest bonds are made with fellow volunteers, and in most cases you are placed in pairs to give each other support. Small expeditions will be arranged to bring Ecuador volunteers together and to take time out together during your stay.

  Time Off & Volunteer Interaction

• 	Parents, families and friends of Ecuador volunteers can always have immediate contact with both the UK Head Office and the Ecuador Field Office. Outreach International attaches great importance to back up and support. We recognise that this is an important time of independence and adaptation, particularly for Gap Year volunteers, and we want to give you the freedom to develop your role in the project. Monika Montes is our coordinator and has been with us since 2003. She is wonderfully hospitable and goes out of her way to care for you as she would for her own children. Many volunteers live with her family. "First of all, Monika. You have an absolute gem there in Quito with her. She is a real credit to your company. She is always there to help, ready with solutions to any problems and full of sensible advice. When I was struggling she was incredibly supportive and understanding while at the same time pushing me to be positive and encouraging me to try alternatives. I stayed with Oscar, Monika's brother, and his family and couldn't have been happier. They were very welcoming and really made me feel part of the family. From what I gathered from other volunteers they were all also happy with their host families." Patricia Cuomo. Career break volunteer. At the end of your placement you can request official certification from Outreach International acknowledging your contribution to the project as a record of your work. Outreach International will also be able to provide future employers with references for volunteers who successfully complete their project placement. Our projects are all recognised by the Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme. The UK office will also offer support in the form of regular fundraising awareness courses and annual Teaching English as a Foreign Language course. These are free of charge to all volunteers. "I'm having an amazing time, Quito is beautiful, I love it. And the Spanish is going well(ish!). Monika is fantastic, she has made me feel so welcome in her home. I felt pretty nervous as my plane was landing but she welcomed me with (literally) open arms. The kids are hilarious, if a little wayward at times!! Katy has also been amazing, and has been as much help in telling me what's what and showing me around as Monika has. I'm really glad that she is here at Monika's too, she´s been great. I can't wait to go to Galapagos at the weekend to start my project." Charlotte Kane. Ecuador Gap Year Teacher.

  Support from Outreach International

• 	For projects in Quito you would live with a local Ecuadorian family. These are wonderful people and they are all friends and relatives of Monika, our coordinator. You would have a large room often with en suite facilities. A maid would do the cleaning and laundry. You would live with at least one other gap year volunteer. Our families live in a spacious, safe part of town, close to the Quito centre and close to each other. "Harry is having a great time in his gap year. His emails are lively and great to read. He's obviously enjoying the street children project, working with the children and enjoying a good and multicultural social life. He is also enjoying living with Monika and having the benefit of her knowledge, experience, motherly wisdom and cooking. It is obvious that Outreach has got it right." Clive and Nicola Hall, parents of volunteer in Ecuador. Breakfast and an evening meal are taken with your host family. The local diet is good and Ecuadorians take their meals seriously. There is an abundance of fresh fruit, vegetables, seafood and fresh meat. Your family would provide a pack lunch. If you have any dietary requirements just tell us in advance. Your family put a huge effort into making you feel at home and close friendships are normally made between families and volunteers. Outreach International recognise that by providing food and accommodation of a high standard, volunteers will stay fit and healthy for their projects. Ecuador volunteers on rural projects will live in an on-site volunteer house or with a family associated with the project. In nearly all cases there would be an internet connection in your family's house.

  Food & Accommodation

• 	All Ecuador volunteers are covered by the Outreach International public liability insurance. In addition to this you are given unlimited medical cover through a purpose made policy. It gives you full repatriation and has a 24 hour emergency hotline. Although expensive we believe it is the best policy available. It also gives you £1000 worth of baggage cover. It is compulsory to have proper medical cover. The cost of this is covered by the fee that we charge. Ecuador is a healthy country. Providing you are sensible and follow our guidelines you should not expect to have any medical difficulties. It is essential however that you read our 'Travel Health' booklet thoroughly and take proper advice when exploring at weekends.

  Health & Insurance

• 	Outreach International will book your flights for you through STA or Wexas Travel. We encourage all Ecuador volunteers to depart together so you can get to know each other on the journey. Volunteers often like to return to the UK at different times. For this reason you all have the option of returning at a date to suit yourself. You also have the option of booking up your own independent flight. You will be met at the airport by our coordinator so it is important that you arrive at your destination at the same time as fellow volunteers. The cost of flights is not included in the Outreach International charge. Volunteers in Ecuador staying for up to 90 days will be given their volunteer visa upon arrival in Quito. If you are staying longer than 90 days you will need to obtain a visa before departure. We will provide the necessary paperwork, support and guidance for this. You will however need to go in person to the Ecuadorian consulate in London to obtain this.

  Flights, Visas & Project-related Travel

• 	Please refer to our costs page for full details about our charges. Our charge covers full health, baggage and liability insurance, support and documentation for your visa application (volunteers staying longer than three months will be asked to pay a visa fee,) project related travel, two week intensive Spanish course, a short expedition, food and accommodation and, of course, full in-country and UK support. In Ecuador this is provided by Monika Montes, the full time member of staff based in Quito. It also covers the costs of UK training, briefing, fund raising advice and administration. It does NOT include the cost of international flights. You may wish to take personal spending money for weekend trips and entertainment. We recommend something in the region of £150 a month for this.

  Spending Money & Cost