ECUADOR VOLUNTEER | High Impact Programs in Ecuador

For a long time I had wanted to volunteer. When I finally took a semester off from my studies, I decided to search for volunteering opportunities. It was by coincidence I came by Ecuador Volunteer Foundation. I found their organization to be very interesting because of their programs with animals in the Amazon of Ecuador. I was so excited!

I maintaned contact with Ecuador Volunteer before I arrived the country. At the airport I was welcomed, and I got to stay with the beautiful family of Francisco, who is the founder and president of the Ecuador Volunteer foundation. They were so friendly, and very helpful with everything. I must admit that I grew very fond of them!

After about a week in Quito, I headed for the project site in the Amazon. I had decided to volunteer for an Animal Rescue Center there for three months. The center was located about 2 hours by bus from the town Tena, and then a 15 minutes canoe ride in the river. It is such a beautiful place, and the volunteer house - although it might look primitive - was right by the riverside. After some weeks, I was lucky to get the top room with a beautiful view of the river. It's so nice to sleep to the sound of the river, and wake up to squirrel monkies jumping on the roof and in the trees!

In the project, I worked ten hours, five days a week. I'll have to admit that it was very hard physical work at times, and also long hours. The daily activities consisted of feeding animals, washing and maintaining their cages and the center, and also providing guided tours throughout the center for tourists who arrived. The animals that were presented during the tour were those which would most possibly stay there for the rest of their lives, due to various causes. The center's main goal however, was to rescue animals who were ill, and get them well again in order to release them. These animals were not a part of the tour. This is what I liked most about the project, as I am very fond of animals and their well-being.

One of the highlights were watching the animals day after day, getting to know their different personalities - espacially the monkies! Furthermore, I gained many new friends there, and I will never forget the amazing moments that we have shared. In sum, the overall experience was and still is of great value to me. I learned a lot about myself, and others that has helped me broaden my perspective and understanding of life and others. I truly encourage everyone to volunteer!

Volunteering has been the best experience in my life so far. I got to fulfill one of my childhood dreams. For the longest time I didn´t imagined I would have the opportunity of living in the jungle, helping endengered species being the mom of a 1 month old monkey. But it really happened!

Working as volunteer made me realize the importance of ones life and what we decide to do with it. It brought me so much closer to my true self and to people otherwise I would have never met. Now they are one of my closest and dearest friends.

When you work, eat, play, chat and even sleep with the same people that share the same ideals as you do. Bonding happens really fast, they become your family and you truly care about each other. One year later we still miss each other, and of course the animals, the jungle and all the great pepole we met in Ecuador.

I will not lie living as a volunteer is hard physical and emoitonal work. You get up at 6 am in the morning and sometimes you don't stop until 9 or 10 pm. As great as it is to work side by side with other volunteers at times you can drive each other crazy.

Also finding out that you did your best but couldn't help and animal can be heart breaking but it also gives you the strenght to keep working to help others.

What I remember the most is those special songs, phrases we had as a group. How amazed I was being so close to the animals and how after a while they got used to me. And suddenly I also was used to having a charango and her baby stealing my soup or my food. But never stopped to amaze me the beauty and simplicity of it all.

I think the hardest part is coming back to your normal life. I miss the jungle, the animals, my friends so much that I wish I can still be back there. The thought that makes me happy is I'm sure I will do it again.

It all started when finally made up my mind to volunteer. Obviously I had no idea how to do it so I researched online and found Ecuador Volunteer.

One of my main concerns was what if something happens to me who is going to know, how will I get out of the jungle, how will I reach my family. So besides having the kind of program I wanted (animal rescue center) and affordable prices Ecuador Volunteer also offered me security and a guide thorugh this whole new experience.

I was received at the airport by Francisco, who was on top of everything. Francisco and his family really made me feel safe and welcome in Ecuador. Before we were send out into the jungle we were prepared for what we were going to face there and when the program was over we were once again welcomed by him and his family in Quito.

I belive that this made my stay so much better, and I'm so glad I met them. They are such amazing people and great friends. Thank you for everything and I hope we see each other soon.