Make a difference and lend a hand to others

Eco Volunteer UP

Why choose Eco Volunteer UP ?

Eco Volunteer UP is an Ecuadorian organization recognized legally by the Ecuadorian Government. Eco Volunteer UP has opportunities to volunteer in different regions of Ecuador: Andes, Galapagos, Amazon, and Mindo. Projects involve with local indigenous culture, animals, help disadvantaged children, single mothers refuge, conservation- environment projects, alternative break abroad, volunteer & travel program, and Spanish lessons. Our programs will provide you with an unforgettable experience. Engage in any of our volunteer projects, you learn about other cultures and Ecuadorian nature. Volunteer in Ecuador would change your life and help you develop into a better person and gain lifelong experiences.

Founded
2000

Reviews

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bando182
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Animal rescue center

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What would you improve about this program?
If I had to offer critical feedback, it would actually be related to the other programs that Maria arranged for my girlfriend, who stayed for an additional three weeks pursuing other volunteer opportunities within Quito. There were times in which she felt less safe, less 'in the know' and more alone (there were a few instances in which she was placed at locations with no other volunteers). I didn't experience these events myself, but I can't help but factor them into my overall critique of the organization. My feeling is that Maria could have been a little more candid/informative about these scenarios before they came up. She could have offered a little disclaimer like "Hey just so you know, there won't be any other volunteers at that time." Or "Here is a reliable map so you don't get lost." Yeah. But again, this was not my personal experience, so I can't really complain!
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Nora
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Eco Volunteer Galapagos

Great Volunteer program - we started off with a one week language course in Quito and flew ove to the Galapagos Islands after touring South America. 3 weeks ecological / environmental volunteering on San Cristobal, Galapagos Islands was very interesting, fun, we learned and experienced so many things. Great place to be, very motivated people! A must do!

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OliviaLee
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

An Adventure!

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What would you improve about this program?
I wrote some ideas up above:)
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Allison
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Hospital and Childcare volunteer

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What would you improve about this program?
Knowing more about the experience going in would have been helpful. Ask to speak with previous volunteers (I have since spoken to people who were going to the hospital in Sangolqui), and perhaps a better description of the day-to-day happenings/needs of your chosen volunteer location.
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Bethan
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

A brilliant adventure!

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Programs

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Alumni Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with verified alumni.

Bethan Crisp

Bethan Crisp is a 21 year old female currently studying a degree in Anthropology at Brunel University in West London. She grew up in Somerset in the south of England and spent ten months volunteering at a Primary School and an orphanage in Tanzania upon finishing college and before beginning her studies at Brunel. Alongside studying for her degree, Bethan is on the board of directors for The Small Things non-profit. She is also an Anthropology mentor for new students and plays an active part in the Anthropology Society as well as providing support as a Link Up buddy for students with disabilities at Brunel.
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Why did you decide to volunteer abroad with Eco Volunteer UP Foundation program in Ecuador?

I have always watched documentaries on The Amazon Rain forest and loved reading books about societies and cultures around the world. Since I was very young, it was a dream of mine to go and experience the jungle for myself. I study Anthropology at University and for my first placement it seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to go to a place I have always longed to visit.

I spent days and hours looking online for volunteering projects in the Amazon and was so excited when I came across the website for Eco Volunteer UP. The Amazon community project in Shiwakucha was just what I wanted to do and despite not knowing what to expect, I just knew I was going to have the time of my life!

After contacting Maria and Freddy, I felt confident and trusting in their organization. They responded to my questions very quickly and sent me any information I required. Once I had found this project with Eco Volunteer UP Foundation, I stopped searching for anything else and started packing and preparing for my adventure!

What made this volunteer abroad experience unique and special?

The Amazon community project sounded brilliant. There didn't seem to be many other projects, if any, quite like this one. The website, the previous volunteer testimonials, the variety of projects that they offered and their prices were all such a contrast to the other websites I had looked at.

I really got to experience the everyday life of this amazing community. It was unique in so many ways but it was particularly special in the fact that I was living with a host family and really got to feel like a part of their family. The community were so welcoming and friendly and everybody was so easy to get along with.

The experience was unique because it didn’t just feel like I was volunteering. I was immersing myself into their Quichua culture and their livelihoods and I loved it. It is truly fascinating. Being able to expose myself to such a different viewpoint has certainly been an eye opener and a life experience.

If you could go back and do something different, what would it be?

If I could go back and do something different, I would have decided to use my first few weeks to take Spanish lessons in the city. As a short term volunteer of two or three weeks, my lack of Spanish could have sufficed.

However, I was going to Ecuador with the intention of staying for up to six months so it was invaluable to me to learn the language and get as much out of the experience as I possibly could, especially due to the fact that I wanted to study from an Anthropological perspective.

There was such a difference with the amount I was learning about the Quichua culture once I could speak some Spanish. Planning my trip and booking the flights had been quite rushed so I didn't necessarily think my plans through sufficiently.

I went to the community for a few weeks, realized how difficult the language barriers would be on my own (once the other volunteers had left) and then decided to take two weeks of lessons in Quito before returning to the community again. Better planning was necessary!

What do you miss the most about Ecuador or your experience?

I miss the community of Shiwakucha the most. I miss waking up to the sounds of the jungle and going to sleep to the sounds of the frogs in the stream outside the house! I miss the heavy rainfalls and trying hopelessly to be taught by the children how to climb a tree!

I miss going out in search of fresh jungle fruits and trying new foods. I miss going on short ‘camping’ trips further into the denseness of the Amazon, where the men would go out to work and hunt whilst I would stay back to go fishing and to cook over a fire with my host mother and sister.

I miss swinging in the hammocks whilst writing up my field notes and being able to bathe in the river under the heat of the jungle sun. I miss the unpredictability of what the next day would bring but knowing that any day is going to be an exciting day!

Has your worldview changed as a result of your trip?

My worldview hasn't necessarily changed but it has expanded immensely. I have previously been exposed to different ways of life and different cultures through traveling with my family from a young age as well as on my own as I reached the age of eighteen.

What I experienced in Ecuador was far better than any book I've read or any documentary I have watched. I was there, living life in a Quichua community, somewhere in the vastness of the Amazon rain forest. I experienced excitement, apprehension, tragedy, sadness, happiness, love, contentment and bliss. It was truly incredible and I would highly recommend volunteering on this project with Eco Volunteer UP. The longer you can stay the better!

Staff Interviews

These are in-depth Q&A sessions with program leaders.

Maria Viteri

Job Title
Co-Founder and Manager at Eco Volunteer UP
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What are the core principles that Eco Volunteer UP strives to achieve?

To support local projects in developing skills to make volunteering a fulfilling and rewarding experience for both the projects and the volunteers. To inspire everyone to become involved and make the best contribution they can through volunteering. To provide volunteers an opportunity to help children and communities and to conserve the Ecuadorian forest.

What position do you hold at Eco Volunteer UP? What has your career path been like so far?

I am the manager in Eco Volunteer UP and I have worked in an Ecuadorian Reserve for six months as assistant of the Ecoturism department. I've worked and owner in a Traditional Ecuadorian food for 3 years, I've been a guide at a lodge for 2 years in cloud forest, I've been for 10 years manager and I´m one of the founders of Eco Volunteer UP.

What separates Eco Volunteer UP from other volunteer providers?

Eco Volunteer UP is composed of a group of Ecuadorians who work through volunteers to conserve the forests of Ecuador, to improve the communities’ economies and to give Ecuadorian children a better life. We offer volunteers real immersion in the various Ecuadorian ecosystems, and real opportunities for learning and sharing Ecuadorian cultures, customs and traditions, all the while helping different projects promote their development and changing lives through a better place to live.

As Ecuadorians we know the reality of local´s lives, we know personally the people that we are working with, we always have meetings and not just by email as other volunteer providers do. We really have interaction with the directors or coordinators of each project, the same as with volunteers. We also provide a free night including breakfast and dinner for the first night when they arrive in Quito.

What does the future hold for Eco Volunteer UP?

Eco Volunteer UP wants to help other local families, community and keep saving the forest.