I've always loved animals and I've taken so much from them that I wanted to give something back. I choose Ecuador so I could help with endangered species. I choose Ecuador Volunteer so I could have some security and some one to fall back if I had any problems or my family had to be contacted. They are one of the few organizations who actually know what they are doing.
Alumni Spotlight: Cynthia Estrada
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Cynthia is a 32 year old Mexican girl born in the city of Mexico. She majored in marketing at Tec de Monterrey and specialized in online marketing during her career. After working for 13 years and volunteering, she is working on her own business. She loves rock climbing, dog-running, camping and traveling. She volunteered with Ecuador Volunteer from March 18th to May 18th of 2012.
Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with Ecuador Volunteer?
Describe your day to day activities as a volunteer.
I woke up every morning around 6 am had a small and fast breakfast, then we walked all the way to the warehouse where the animal´s food was storage. After preparing it we carried a couple of buckets filled with food in each hand and went into the cages to clean them and feed the animals. While doing this at some point we had to attend to tourists that come around the rescue center. A short and fast meal then again cleaning the cages, feeding the animals and around 4 or 5 we started cleaning the warehouse, bathrooms, volunteer house, compost, and kitchen to finally jump into the river for some swimming. Around 9 we started fixing dinner. We dined all together, chatted a little afterwards, had a couple of beers, then went to bed and started again at 6 am.
Tell me about one person you met.
It's hard to choose just one person. I met amazing people that now are really close to my heart. Foremost is Sina, my friend and travelling companion. It's been a year since we've seen each other and we miss each other terribly. Andrea and Kristin were fellow animal lovers and also loving, caring and amazing people. But I think that the person I always think of when looking back is Aleja, the Rescue Center biologist. Truly dedicated to the cause, she was an amazing young and strong Latina woman, whom I hope some day has the chance to work on her own project. She made my stay so much easier and showed me amazing things, not only about the rescue center but about people in Ecuador and Latin America.
What was the hardest or most challenging part of your experience?
There were some polices and rules from the management which I didn't agree with and also some budgeting problems that made me think twice about staying or leaving. At the end I think a lot of volunteers spoke out and seems like the rescue center has a new management and is doing great. I'm really glad about this.
What do you miss the most about Ecuador or your experience?
Waking up in the jungle and the people I shared with this experience. The sounds, the smells, the rain, the animals - it's the feeling of going back to your basic instincts that helps you realize life is pretty simple but we just like to spice it up by making it harder.