Ecuador Volunteer changed my life

Ratings
Overall
5
Impact: 5
Support: 5
Fun: 5
Value: 5
Safety: 5
Review

Ecuador Volunteer is an organization that has many volunteering projects all around Ecuador. The projects adjust to the things you like and the things you wish to accomplish by helping other people.

I chose Santa Ana/Yaku Runa. It is an indigenous community in the Amazon jungle where you have many opportunities to develop a lot of different projects.

At the moment they are building eco-sustainable cabins to bring tourism to the community, allowing them to share their culture with other people and have an income to support their children's education and have a better life quality.

SANTA ANA

Every day is a different day in Santa Ana. You have a lot of freedom to decide what you want to do and where you want to help. You can join the people in the community with what they are doing or talk to them and start somewhere else where you can be more useful. You can also help the families in their everyday by bringing wood for the cooking, helping them in the "chakra" (farm), doing homework with the kids, helping around the house, among other things. They have many daily activities you can join after working on the project, you could go fishing at the river or swim in it with the kids, you can learn how to make traditional crafts or just talk to the local people (it's a great opportunity to practice spanish!).

The people in Santa Ana are very warm and welcoming with foreigners, they understand the cultural contrast and respect it, as they will expect the same. The are very sharing with everything they have (which is very little) and they always make you feel at home.

I've been there 3 times now. The first time I was there for 9 months! I had a wonderful time and learnt a lot. I helped them with everything I could and had a great time in Santa Ana.

For the time I was in the country Ecuador Volunteer always helped me. They gave me information about the country, the community, the people and other projects. They supported and encouraged me all the time with the work that I was doing. They were there for me and for every other volunteer. They are very kind and always make you feel welcome.

I would recommend volunteering in Ecuador with Ecuador Volunteer because they will make things easier. They will help you with your paperwork, with your stay, with your projects and many other things and you will always feel part of a big family with them.

Would you recommend this program?
Yes, I would