Lead-Adventures
Programs and Reviews
The people who run our 30 different volunteer programs throughout South America are passionate about Ecuador. They are specialists. LEAD Adventures does not believe agencies can offer people an authentic experience of a place unless they really know it themselves.
That is why LEAD chooses to focus all their attention on a small number of places. We do not do experiences of the world; we do experiences of South America and we do them very well.
So far we have given over 3000 people just like you an adventure in South America that they will never forget.
We can build you a custom made experience that gives you a unique opportunity to live and work in a local South American community making a real difference to people's lives and the environment. Live with like minded volunteers, quickly make new friends and experience Ecuador as it really is.
Programs Abroad
Reviews
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The volunteer work (at the National Park greenhouses planting coffee) was not too demanding. It was nice to know that I was helping to contribute to the welfare of the local farmers. I really enjoyed my time on the Galapagos Islands. This is a great way to travel there because you are able to spend time with the people instead of a cruise where you only get to visit for one day, but a combination of both would be ideal as then you would get to see more islands. Everyone was so nice and friendly, the food was excellent. The islands are very safe, there was never any problem walking around by myself, even at night.
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Was stationed at the greenhouse in the highlands of Santa Cruz island. Volunteering in planting Galapagos coffee and lemon was inspiring. Labour intensive but good fun. Rewarding-feeling to be able to contribute to society in my own way.
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I spent 3 weeks in the Andes and 3 weeks in the Amazon rainforest at Yanacocha. I enjoyed both places. My host family in Guayaquil was very nice and I enjoyed the experience there. The animals were amazing at both places...I learned so much! I had a blast with the other volunteers at Yanacocha. So many interesting and unique animals (compared to my North American life)...and such need for their care. Even the less fun tasks of preparing food and cleaning habitats was good. I really felt needed and that I was helping a lot! Great experience...hope to return soon!
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I volunteered at the Quito Dump Daycare center, which was built for the children of the dump site workers. The facility is excellent. It's clean and bright. There is 1 teacher, 2 helpers and 1 cook. The cook is amazing. She makes a hearty soup and rice dish for lunch every day.
The children are 6months - 5 years of age and are divided into 3 age groups. I often started off the day by helping the workers feed the youngest children their daily milk. The children then split off into their appropriate age groups. The older children learn to count and read. The middle aged children (2-3 years old) often play with blocks, cars and dolls. The youngest children (under 2 years old) play with toys.
The best part of the day is just playing with the children. They love to cuddle and dance. If you go in with an open mind you'll have a great time!
Many afternoons are spent at the playground that is build on the dump site just for the children.
The staff don't speak much English but they do their best to let you know what needs to be done (take the children to the washroom, help feed them, etc.). They really appreciate it when you try and speak Spanish.
There's also a mobile medical clinic across the way. If you have a medical background the doctors there (they're an American couple) are quite keen to get you involved if you wish.
Alumni Interviews
Staff Interview
Meet Elizabeth Gallardo, Operations Team Coordinator at Lead Adventures
GO: Tell us a little about Lead Adventures.
Elizabeth: Lead Adventures is a Ecuadorian volunteer company who worked in all four regions of the country. The company is focused in support local communities, environment, social and conservation centers, in Ecuador mainland and Galapagos Island.
GO: How did you get involved in the volunteer industry?
Elizabeth: I spent over two year working in the Galapagos Island and was lucky enough to see the most unique place on the planet and I realized that we all need to do our part to help maintain these islands. First, I looked for an organization such as Lead adventures that support protecting the environment and providing benefits to the local communities.
GO: What makes Lead Adventures unique?
Elizabeth: Our administrative costs are much lower than agencies based in Europe or the USA. This enables us to offer lower prices for our volunteer programs compared to other international volunteer agencies.
GO: What does the future hold for Lead Adventures?
Elizabeth: Try to keep creating and offering unique experience that combine traditional travel with volunteer touring . We believe is the ideal way to get to know and understand the country .
Lead Adventures was very patient and answered all my questions prior to my three week trip to the Galapagos Islands.
I spent three days in the highlands on
Santa Cruz and four days in the highlands on San Cristobal doing a variety of volunteer work. In Santa Cruz I shredded leaves for soil making, planted trees and plants, and applied preservative to sign stakes. In San Cristobal I mixed soils for planting mixtures, filled planting bags with soils, picked guava and passion fruit for eating, helped prepare food for meals in the kitchen and cleaned out some tortoise ponds at a nearby breeding center.
I also enjoyed the many activities that were scheduled for me. This included several snorkeling trips, visits to tortoise breeding centers, a 'long' walk to the second largest volcanic crater in the world, a visit to the 'Wall of Tears', and free days to schedule trips for yourself or to just enjoy some free time. I saw a wide variety of fish, rays, marine iguanas, tortoises, and birds, including frigate birds, blue-footed boobies, pelicans, flamingos, etc.
The mosquitoes at the project in the San Cristobal highlands where we slept under mosquito netting and wore mosquito netting hats, when needed, was one of the only negatives. All in all, it was well worth the trip.