Description

Beneath the Amazonian rainforest canopy, our interconnectedness with the community of life becomes undeniable as the playful animals, lush plants, and thriving rhythms of village life blend in perfect harmony. This energized, entangled jungle context catalyzed our partner foundation´s holistic market based approach which blends sustainable economic development, cultural preservation and conservation. Specifically, by working directly with indigenous farming families, this innovative social enterprise seeks to regenerate the cultivation of guayusa, a native holly plant used for thousands of years in traditional tea ceremonies. Its methodology promotes empowering income generation based on a fair-trade market mechanism, sustains natural resources by training farmers in permaculture and integrated land use, and restores the ancestral cultural tradition of tea drinking and story-telling both in the Amazon and abroad to connect us as a global village. The primary volunteer project, based at a former, renovated animal rescue center, still teems with squirrel monkeys, crocodiles, turtles and other friends from the animal kingdom who´ll keep you company while you work.

* Role of Volunteer/Intern

With Runa's unique combination of environmental, social, and business aspects in its work, volunteers receive a unique opportunity to participate in diverse areas to support the growth of this budding social enterprise. The focus of the volunteer program is working on the foundation´s new 28 hectare Conservation, Training, and Research Center just 30 minutes outside of Puyo, Ecuador in Fatima. Volunteers will work primarily in our diverse nurseries of organically managed tree and fruit species, and assist our technicians and engineers in the creation and maintenance of organic agroforestry plots, including routine weeding and maintenance (always a challenge to stay on top of in the regenerating rainforest) and composting management. All volunteers also partner with our field technicians to visit individual family farms, participate in cultural exchange events and guayusa tea ceremonies, and have the opportunity to develop their own research projects.

Highlights

Ecuador is one of those rare destinations in the world that seems to have the unique combination of natural beauty, intriguing history, and vibrant culture. Nestled along the Equator in the northwest corner of the South American continent, much of the country still remains wild and uncharted. It is home to the highest active volcano in the world, pristine Pacific beaches, and virgin tropical rainforests as well as ancient Incan history now echoed through the lively Ecuadorian culture. Ecuador is marked by its diversity. Within a territory of 120,000 square miles, one can travel from sea level to 12,000 feet of altitude within a six-hour drive, visit a fishing town and see a highland village within the same day.

Qualifications

- Must be 18 and over, with valid passport and health insurance.
- A minimum of basic Spanish (though higher preferred)
- Good physical fitness to participate in hands-on field work
- Interest in indigenous culture, agroforestry, organic farming, and sustainable development

Intern Types

• Agriculture
• Sustainable Development
• Ecology
• Environmental Studies

Languages

• English
• Spanish

Cost in US$:

950 for two weeks

Cost Includes:

• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support

Program Fees Include:

Airport pickup, first night´s accommodation, health, safety and cultural orientation to Ecuador, coordinator escort to project site, project orientation by local staff, accommodation in a rustic cabin with cold showers and dry composting toilets, self-serve breakfast and two meals/day prepared by on-site cook, health/safety/cultural orientation, program supervision, and 24 hour staff support.

Fees do not include airfare, insurance, any VISA fees.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Age Range

18 yeard old and above

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Guest House

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

EcuaExplora's Mission Statement

To make it possible for international students, interns and volunteers to have meaningful experiences studying in Ecuadorian universities and institutions of higher education, interning in professional placements throughout Ecuador, and volunteering in collaborative projects focused on the sustainable social and economic development of Ecuador.

Year Founded

2010