Well Rounded Experience

In general, the programme is a very well rounded experience where you can go with your group on adventure weekend breaks during or in between volunteer segments.

The communities that we stayed with seemed appreciative of the work we were doing and we fostered good relations with them.

The UK staff are very professional and always there to help. My group leader at the time was very knowledgeable and knew how to travel in Ecuador.

The work itself may be harder to you if you come from a first world city where rural living conditions may be more difficult for you and you have to do hands-on work.

For specific examples of day to day experiences: In the Andes we readied a patch of land for seeding so that the local school could feed the kids.The community was wonderful, made us great food and had good living conditions.

With the specific Tsachila community we stayed with: living conditions were sufficient and the people were friendly. The only significant downside was that the food they provided was typically insufficient, though im sure much of the issue can be attributed simply to lifestyle difference rather than anything else.

In the Galapagos: The boss was friendly and the work was tough at times but very rewarding. You get to meet many more volunteers here because the Hacienda you work at accepts volunteers from all over the world all year round. You get to be next to all of the endemic species and experience the life of the islanders.