Description

A community project will enable you to fully immerse yourself within the community, and by the end you will feel like one of the locals. There are a diverse number of projects you can be involved in from ecotourism in Peru to women empowerment projects in Ecuador for abused women. Projects like these help you contribute in preserving some unique and special ways of life and helping people achieve a common goal.

*Work in an Ecuadorian NGO in Quito

Volunteer in Ecuador on this comprehensive, high-impact project that implements sustainable development projects in isolated communities living in poverty to provide their members with the tools necessary to provide opportunities to escape poverty. This is a multi-faceted project but all aspects seek to leverage human capital and conserve natural resources, as well as to promote national poverty awareness campaigns to encourage all sectors in society to take action.

*Work in a Day Care Centre for Children of the Rubbish Dump in Ecuador

Become a volunteer in Ecuador and join one of our most unique projects in South America. In March of 2006, a Daycare Centre & Preschool, which serves over 50 children from newborn through to 5 years, was opened. Here the dedicated team have been taking care of these infants with a mission of improving their prospects for the future. In addition to this, in December of 2006 a medical clinic also opened at the site in conjunction with a local Hospital to ensure that all members of this community have access to adequate health care.

*Preserve the Rainforest and Local Culture in an Ecotourism Project in the Amazon in Ecuador

Crowned with awards from the Ashoka Changemakers and National Geographic Societies, this revolutionary Ecotourism project advocates environmental sustainability through education. Specifically, proceeds from the low impact Ecolodge, located in the heart of the Amazon, fund a rural Technical High School that focuses on relevant curricula in six productive areas (see below) to teach indigenous students how to create local livelihoods that conserve their endangered Amazon homeland.

Highlights

Nowhere else on earth will you find so much natural diversity - and all the fun that accompanies it - in such a small country. In one day's drive you can journey from the Amazon Basin across glaciated Andean volcanoes, down through tropical cloud forest and arrive at a seaside village on the Pacific coast, where the water is warm.

Traditionally the impoverished have resided in rural areas but with rapid urbanization over the last 25 years, the urban population in poverty has risen from 1.5 million to around 3.5 million. Some of the characteristics of poverty in urban and rural areas are low educational achievement, informal sector employment, and rented, instead of owned, housing.

*Mount Chimborazo:
Mount Chimborazo is an inactive volcano and is the highest peak in Ecuador at 20,565 ft. It is also the farthest point on the planet from the Earth's core. It is a day's climb to the summit from base camp and the awesome towering ice-capped peak is a major incentive to reach the summit.

*Paragliding in the Andes:
View the spectacular views of the Ecuadorian Andes through the thrilling experience of paragliding. Carry out a tandem flight and no experience is required. The best places to paraglide are Crucita beach, Pichincha Mountains and the cliffs above Canoa.

*Andean Biking:
Ecuador is a premier mountain biking destination with its diversity of biking terrain and scenery. From Quito there are a number of rides ranging from snow-capped Andean volcanoes, cloud forests and jungle upon hundreds of miles of traffic-free trails.

There are great projects doing great work but with more funds and staff so much more could be done. You can offer so many things to Ecuadorians. Volunteers can engage in numerous activities with the men, women and children.

Qualifications

Experience and passion for working in the community and interacting with the people are needed. Participants must also possess enthusiasm and a willingness to learn about the environment and the place's culture.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Please visit the website for more information.

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees

Program Fees Include:

* Accommodation: Home stay with hot, running water, and electricity
* Food: 3 meals per day  Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner
* Airport pick-up
* Training: Pre-departure pack, on-site orientation and project induction included
* Support: 24 hour staff support
* Local SIM card: All volunteers are given a local SIM card to use in their mobile phones. The network of the SIM is Porta and your phone must be unlocked to be able to use it
* Activities: Staff help organise evening and weekend activities.

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

A Kaya volunteer shows enthusiasm, spirit and life to stimulate and bring something new to the residents; love, patience and a listening ear for the people; and a good motivator with a positive and optimistic attitude.

Age Range

Must be more than 18 years old

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently or in Groups

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment

Post Services Include

• Alumni Network

Kaya Responsible Travel's Mission Statement

Kaya's mission is to promote sustainable social, environmental and economic development, empower communities and cultivate educated, compassionate global citizens through responsible travel.

Year Founded

2008