Volunteer Abroad Ecuador South America Volunteering Opportunities Ethical Tourism Travel With Purpose www.abroaderview.org

Ecuador, a small South America country, is bordered to the north by Colombia, to the east and south by Peru, and to the west by the Pacific Ocean. The country is divided into four distinct regions; the Amazon, the Highlands, the Coast, and the Galápagos Islands.

Compared with many South American countries, Ecuador is very small. Nevertheless in this limited area there are at least 50 types of natural terrestrial vegetation, diverse ecosystems and an immense variation in wildlife. Ecuador is one of 17 mega diverse countries in the world according to Conservation International. With 1600 bird species (some 15% of the world's known bird species) in the continental area, and 38 more endemic to the Galápagos. There are also 25,000 species of plants recorded; it has 106 endemic reptiles, 138 endemic amphibians, and 6,000 species of butterflies.

Today, Ecuador remains a multiethnic and multicultural nation, where more than 14 indigenous groups maintain their own traditions and ways of life, to the delight of visitors. The country has a plentitude of national parks, wildlife reserves, natural springs, volcanoes and ecological reserves and beautiful cities. Ecuador gives the tourists a mega bio-diversity and a chance for great adventures in the mountains, volcanoes, jungle, white beaches and exotic islands.

Although in recent years Ecuador has benefited from a rise in tourism offer some economic relief, millions of people live below the poverty line, mainly children. Governmental statistics estimate that over one million children work to survive and maintain their families. Growing poverty, lack of education and limited governmental resources further worsen the problem of street children and orphans in Ecuador. A government study* concluded that 45% of the population between the ages of 10 and 16 are working, 60% of the children under the age of five are malnourished and a third of the population has not completed the first part of their basic education. (*First Congress on Nutrition Development, Quito 2000)

Our volunteer projects allow you to help street children and orphans in Quito, teach English in a local Andes village, work at one of the numerous ecology/conservation bio stations or animal welfare reserves located throughout the Amazon, coastal and Andes regions. Our programs allow you to discover the wonders of Ecuador, while doing meaningful community work. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Spanish knowledge, live with the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

Volunteer with us and see A Broader View of the World.

"You have not lived until you have done something for someone who can never repay you" - Anonymous.

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Quito is the capital of Ecuador and the countries second largest city with an estimated population of about 2.1 million people. The beautiful, bustling city sits high in the Andes Mountains an altitude over 9000 ft. Quito's Old Town is a wonder with neighborhoods lined with colonial architecture, some of it dating to the mid 1500s when the Spanish founded the city. With its rich cultural treasures, large open plazas surrounded by cathedrals and stately public buildings, Quito has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a place of delicious food, friendly people, wonderful Andean music and colorful marketplaces.

Nearly 60% of Quito's population lives in extreme poverty. These areas often lack such basic services as electricity and running water. Many of the urban poor are migrants from rural areas who come to the city in search of a better life. Unfortunately, there are few opportunities for employment. Poverty can lead not only to malnutrition, illness, delinquency, alcoholism and domestic violence, it also worsens environmental contamination.

We offer orphanage and teaching placements throughout the city. With our volunteer program we allow you to discover the wonders of Quito, while doing meaningful community work. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Spanish knowledge, live with the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

We offer the following programs in Quito:

Program Length : 1-24 weeks
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Accommodations: Local guesthouse or homestay
Meals: Yes, 3 meals a day
Requirements: 18 years , Basic Spanish knowledge,  an able body and caring spirit.

Social Projects: You can help children of scare economic resources who come from poor homes. In many cases they have been abandoned by their parents. You can help them improve their living conditions, through support of the special center for children care. These projects are offer volunteer options in institutions like orphanages, nurseries, juvenile homes, day care centers, street children centers, and the facilities for the elderly.

Day Care Center for Poor Children: We several projects, located throughout Quito helping the poor, underprivileged children or those with handicaps (blind and deaf children). Some projects work with kids age's 2-4years old. We also have project working with older children 5-16yrs old. The parents of the children are so poor that they cannot afford to keep their children healthy or well fed. The projects serve as a day care, kindergarten and support center. Volunteers assist the local staff with the basic needs such as feeding, bathing and clothing, helping with homework, playing sports, as well arranges games and day trips with the kids. Teaching basic English, as well as manual labor (sweeping, painting, and gardening) may be involved. Basic in Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude.

Street Children' Program: This project helps the abandoned, mistreated children that are forced to live in the dangerous streets every day. These shelters typically care for 40-50 children from 2 to 16 years old, providing them with meals, a place to live, and an education for a temporary time. This project tries to reinsert them in their families as much as possible. These projects also support local schools with after school programs and meal. Volunteers help with providing the basic needs such as teaching basic math, Spanish, English, providing emotional support in a loving, caring surrounding. Arrange games, day trips and basically teach the children to be "kids" again. Proficiency in Spanish is needed, as well as a positive and flexible attitude.

Education/Vocational Programs: Teaching English is an educational program designed to help children of poor families obtain their principal right to an education, which would otherwise be difficult to obtain. The centers are located in very poor neighborhoods with scarce economic resources. These programs give a primary education to over 100 children between 3 and 12 years of age. Right now the schools are understaffed and appreciate the assistance of our volunteers. Volunteers are needed in the areas of art, music, ceramics, handcrafts, culinary and sports. Basic/Proficiency in Spanish is needed, as well as a positive and flexible attitude.

Program Includes: Accommodation with a local host family. All meals daily. Airport transfers on arrival and departure. Our local Project Coordinators will provide orientation & city tour with lunch, introduction and placement in a volunteer work project. Half day (4 hours) Spanish language lessons. The project coordinator is available 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise. They can assist in arranging sightseeing excursion before, during or after the volunteer program.

Situated in Ecuador's southern Andes, Cuenca is the capital of the Azuay province. In addition to being the cultural Mecca of Ecuador, Cuenca is the third largest city in the nation, and the economic center of the southern Sierra region. The city's cobblestone streets, towering cathedrals, and marble and whitewashed buildings give it a colonial air.

It is a dream walking along its cobblestone streets among the historical architecture. The domes of its many churches take you bank to the colonial era, among winding rivers. This is why it was declared a Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 1999.

Cuenca is known as the city with the greatest cultural production in the country. The beautiful Cuencan handicrafts come in many different styles, like embroidered blouses, wool sweaters, detailed jewelry bathed in gold and silver and "ikat" textiles.

Travel to Cuenca is quite easy, TAME airlines offers 3 daily flights from Quito. There are also buses available from Quito; the ride is long about 10 hours and typically overnight schedules.

We offer orphanage, teaching and healthcare placements throughout Cuenca. With our volunteer program we allow you to discover the wonders of Ecuador, while doing meaningful community work. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Spanish and knowledge, live with the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

We offer the following programs in Cuenca:

Program Length : 1-24 weeks
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Accommodations: Local guesthouse or homestay
Meals: Yes, 3 meals a day
Requirements: 18 years , Basic Spanish knowledge,  an able body and caring spirit.

Social Projects: You can help children of scare economic resources who come from poor homes and rural coastal communities. In many cases they have been abandoned by their parents. You can help them improve their living conditions, through support of the special center for children care. We offer volunteer placements in local day care centers, nurseries, SOS children's villages, community centers and centers for street children. Volunteers assist the local staff with the basic needs such as feeding, bathing and clothing, helping with homework, playing sports, as well arranges games and day trips with the kids. Teaching basic English, as well as manual labor (sweeping, painting, and gardening) may be involved. Basic in Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude.

Education/Vocational Projects: These projects consist of helping children and young adults that live in poor communities. Teaching English is an educational program designed to help children of poor families obtain their principal right to an education, which would otherwise be difficult to obtain. We also need volunteers in the areas of art, music, ceramics, handcrafts, culinary and sports. We have placements available in primary and secondary level classes.

Healthcare Projects: Volunteers are needed to work in community health centers, rural hospitals, maternity wards, centers of family planning, and other specific areas of medicine. Needed are those professional or medical students specializing in cardiology, pediatrics, gynecology, dermatology, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and dental care. Intermediate Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude

Program Includes: Accommodation with a local host family. All meals daily. Volunteers should arrive in Quito, where they will be met by our local Project Coordinators. They will provide program orientation briefing, city tour with lunch, and roundtrip bus tickets for your trip to the rural location. Volunteers travel independently to projects located outside of Quito. After arrival, the representative will introduce you to the host family and administrator of your volunteer program.  Half day (4 hours) Spanish language lessons provided. The Project Coordinator in Quito is available 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise. They can assist in arranging sightseeing excursion before, during or after the volunteer program.

The Northern Andes extends from Cayambe to Tulcan near the Colombian border. This zone is known for its indigenous markets, spectacular scenery and historic haciendas. The town of Cayambe is an agricultural area, in the northern highlands, consisting of about 30,000 residents. The town is situated at the foot of the Cayambe volcano. While the town is mainly peopled by mestizos, the surrounding rural population is primarily comprised of indigenous people who are mainly involved in subsistence agriculture, dairying and lumber procurement.

We offer orphanage and teaching placements in Cayambe. With our volunteer program we allow you to discover the wonders of Ecuador, while doing meaningful community work. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Spanish knowledge, live with the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

We offer the following programs in Cayambe:

Program Length : 1-24 weeks
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Accommodations: Local guesthouse or homestay
Meals: Yes, 3 meals a day
Requirements: 18 years , Basic Spanish knowledge,  an able body and caring spirit.

Social Projects: You can help children of scare economic resources who come from poor homes and rural coastal communities. In many cases they have been abandoned by their parents. You can help them improve their living conditions, through support of the special center for children care. We offer volunteer placements in local day care centers, nurseries, SOS children's villages, community centers and centers for street children. Volunteers assist the local staff with the basic needs such as feeding, bathing and clothing, helping with homework, playing sports, as well arranges games and day trips with the kids. Teaching basic English, as well as manual labor (sweeping, painting, and gardening) may be involved. Basic in Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude.

Education/Vocational Projects: These projects consist of helping children and young adults that live in poor communities. Teaching English is an educational program designed to help children of poor families obtain their principal right to an education, which would otherwise be difficult to obtain. We also need volunteers in the areas of art, music, ceramics, handcrafts, culinary and sports. We have placements available in primary and secondary level classes.

Program Includes: Accommodation with a local host family. All meals daily. Volunteers should arrive in Quito, where they will be met by our local Project Coordinators. They will provide program orientation briefing, city tour with lunch, and roundtrip bus tickets for your trip to the rural location. Volunteers travel independently to projects located outside of Quito. After arrival, the representative will introduce you to the host family and administrator of your volunteer program.  Half day (4 hours) Spanish language lessons provided. The Project Coordinator in Quito is available 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise. They can assist in arranging sightseeing excursion before, during or after the volunteer program.

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The northernmost of the coastal provinces, Esmeraldas is also the lushest, riddled with estuaries, mangroves, and flooded tropical forest. The province of Esmeraldas is a lush tropical region famous for its friendly and lively Afro-American community. The region is made up of beaches stretching from the Colombian border to Ayampe. Besides the beach resorts, other worthwhile attractions are the world's largest remaining Mangrove forest, abundant wildlife and seasonal whale watching in the waters of Machalilla National Park and the world's only tropical dry forest. Esmeraldas is a busy port city surrounded by natural beauty, the unique cultural mix makes this an interesting place to visit and volunteer.

Getting to Esmeraldas is quite easy, TAME airlines offers daily flights from Quito. There are also buses available for about US$10 for the 6 hour trip from Quito.

We offer orphanage and teaching placements throughout these coastal regions. With our volunteer program we allow you to discover the wonders of Ecuador, while doing meaningful community work. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Spanish and knowledge, live with the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

We offer the following programs in Esmeraldas and Manabi:

Program Length : 1-24 weeks
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Accommodations: Local guesthouse or homestay
Meals: Yes, 3 meals a day
Requirements: 18 years , Basic Spanish knowledge,  an able body and caring spirit.

Social Projects: You can help children of scare economic resources who come from poor homes and rural coastal communities. In many cases they have been abandoned by their parents. You can help them improve their living conditions, through support of the special center for children care. We offer volunteer placements in local day care centers, nurseries, SOS children's villages, community centers and centers for street children. Volunteers assist the local staff with the basic needs such as feeding, bathing and clothing, helping with homework, playing sports, as well arranges games and day trips with the kids. Teaching basic English, as well as manual labor (sweeping, painting, and gardening) may be involved. Basic in Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude.

Education/Vocational Projects: These projects consist of helping children and young adults that live in poor communities. Teaching English is an educational program designed to help children of poor families obtain their principal right to an education, which would otherwise be difficult to obtain. We also need volunteers in the areas of art, music, ceramics, handcrafts, culinary and sports. We have placements available in primary and secondary level classes.

Program Includes: Accommodation with a local host family. All meals daily. Volunteers should arrive in Quito, where they will be met by our local Project Coordinators. They will provide program orientation briefing, city tour with lunch, and roundtrip bus tickets for your trip to the rural location. Volunteers travel independently to projects located outside of Quito. After arrival, the representative will introduce you to the host family and administrator of your volunteer program.  Half day (4 hours) Spanish language lessons provided. The Project Coordinator in Quito is available 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise. They can assist in arranging sightseeing excursion before, during or after the volunteer program.

The Ecuadorian Amazon region commonly known as "El Oriente" is formed by several sparsely populated provinces only about 5% of the countries population live in this vast area. This region covers more than two and a half million square miles, more than any other rainforest. The Amazon basin has more than one third of the earth's fresh water flows and hosts a huge biological diversity and many unique species. The Amazon is home to several indigenous ethnic groups and tribes who are still living traditionally, maintaining their distinct customs and traditions. The main cities located in this region include Puyo, Tena, Baeza, Banos, Zamora and Macas.

We offer teaching, animal welfare projects, indigenous community placements and healthcare opportunities throughout the Amazon regions. With our volunteer program we allow you to discover the wonders of the Amazon rainforest, while doing meaningful community work. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Spanish knowledge, live with the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

We offer the following programs in the Amazon Region:

Program Length : 1-24 weeks
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Accommodations: Local homestay
Meals: Yes, 3 meals a day
Requirements: 18 years , Intermediate Spanish knowledge, an able body and caring spirit.

Animal Welfare: Placements are available in wild-life refuge which receives animals that have been in captivity or have been sold illegally by animal traffickers. The main objective of this project is to rehabilitate the animals and reincorporate them back into their natural habitat. Volunteers will feed animals and clean and repair cages. In addition, they will help build new cages and improve existing facilities. Volunteers will ordinarily work about 8- 10 hours per day, depending on the projects they are involved in. Most refuge centers offer on-site shared volunteer accommodation, including meals. These accommodations typically have electricity and running water, and shared bathrooms. Proficiency in Spanish is highly recommended. *2 week minimum suggested.

Indigenous Community: Live and work among the people of a multiethnic indigenous community with members of the Achuar, Kichwa, Shuar, and Zapara and Kichwa ethnicities. This community obtains their income from fishing, agriculture, hunting, and horticulture, combined with handicrafts, communitarian tourism, conservation and reforestation. Volunteers will be involved in a wide range of exciting activities including teaching English at the local school, working at the children's day care center, rain forest restoration projects, horticultural and fish farming projects and infrastructure construction projects including work on a Women's Center. This is a great opportunity to experience the life and culture of the local indigenous people. Volunteers live with a local host family in a shared room, all meals are provided by the host family. Proficiency is Spanish is required, as well as an adventurous spirit. *2 week minimum suggested.

Social Projects: You can help children of scare economic resources who come from poor homes. In many cases they have been abandoned by their parents. You can help them improve their living conditions, through support of the special center for children care. We offer volunteer placements in local day care centers and nurseries. Volunteers assist the local staff with the basic needs such as feeding, bathing and clothing, helping with homework, playing sports, as well arranges games and day trips with the kids. Teaching basic English, as well as manual labor (sweeping, painting, and gardening) may be involved. Intermediate Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude.

Education/Vocational Projects: These projects consist of helping children and young adults that live in indigenous communities and otherwise rural areas. Teaching English is an educational program designed to help children of poor families obtain their principal right to an education, which would otherwise be difficult to obtain. Also needed are teachers of music, art, ceramics, handcrafts, culinary and sports. We have placements available in local community schools assisting the local teacher. Intermediate Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude

Healthcare Projects: Volunteers are needed to work in community health centers, rural hospitals, maternity wards, centers of family planning, and other specific areas of medicine. Needed are those professional or medical students specializing in cardiology, pediatrics, gynecology, dermatology, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and dental care. . Intermediate Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude

Program Includes: Accommodation with a local host family. All meals daily. Volunteers should arrive in Quito, where they will be met by our local Project Coordinators. They will provide program orientation briefing, city tour with lunch, and roundtrip bus tickets for your trip to the rural location. Volunteers travel independently to projects located outside of Quito. After arrival, the representative will introduce you to the host family and administrator of your volunteer program.  Half day (4 hours) Spanish language lessons provided. The Project Coordinator in Quito is available 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise. They can assist in arranging sightseeing excursion before, during or after the volunteer program.

Salinas is a remarkable place located on the southern coast of the Pacific coast, in the Santa Elena peninsula. Salinas, meaning salt, is called that way because salt used to be extracted from its beaches. Contrasting with other Ecuadorian beaches, Salinas used to be a desert place, but today, with occasional rain and local water projects, the surrounding rural areas are green dotted with gigantic Ceibo trees and lush farms.

The town has one of the most developed tourism infrastructures in Ecuador, and whale watching is quite popular. Although Salinas doesn't offer the selection of Quito or Guayaquil, it still has a variety of restaurants, cafés, theaters and bars. Despite the rise of tourism in the area, agriculture is still the main focus such as cheese production, nougat, cocoa beans, footballs and also salt. Volunteers should fly into Guayquil, the new José Joaquín de Olmedo International airport receives many flights a day from the US and Europe.  Our Project Coordinator will meet you in Guayquil and travel with you to Salinas, a 2 hour bus ride.

We offer teaching placements in poor areas of Salinas. With our volunteer program we allow you to discover the wonders of the Ecuadorian coast, while doing meaningful community service work. This is a great opportunity to enhance your Spanish knowledge, live with the locals and realize one person can make a difference.

We offer the following program in Salinas:

Program Length: 1-24 weeks
Program Date: Flexible Start & End Date
Work Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8 hour per day
Accommodations: Local homestay
Meals: Yes, 3 meals a day
Requirements: 18 years Basic Spanish knowledge, an able body and caring spirit.

Education/Vocational Projects: Volunteers are needed to work in local kindergarten, primary and secondary schools throughout the city. The children range in age from 5-12 years old. Teaching English is an educational program designed to help children of poor families obtain their principal right to an education, which would otherwise be difficult to obtain. Also needed are teachers of music, art, ceramics, handcrafts, culinary and sports.

Basic Spanish is required, as well as a positive and flexible attitude.

Program Includes: Accommodation with a local host family. All meals daily. Airport transfers on arrival and departure in Guayquil. Our local Project Coordinators will travel with you by bus to Salinas. On arrival you will be provided orientation briefing, city tour and introduction to host family and work location.   Half day (4 hours) Spanish language lessons. The project coordinator in Salinas is available 24/7 in case of emergency, health-related or otherwise. They can assist in arranging sightseeing excursion before, during or after the volunteer program.