Ecuador Group Programme
The Ecuador group programme gives you an opportunity to be part of a team of willing volunteers, and to contribute to the development of a disadvantaged community. For two weeks you will live and work alongside local people and learn more about their culture and the challenges they are facing. The project in Ecuador takes place in a struggling afro ecuadorian community located in the tropical region of Puerto Quito.You will travel in a small team of 8-12 with an Irish group leader.
This group project is also available if you want to form your own group.
Main Features
- Predeparture workshop in Ireland
- Irish group leader
- Volunteer work in a local indigenous community
- Accomodation and meals included
- Recreational activities
- 2 weeks form the 9th of August
Project background
Country background
Ecuador is the smallest of the Andean countries, but contains a huge diversity of indigenous cultures, wildlife and scenery. With the tropical region of the western lowlands, the volcanic peaks of the central Andes and the dense rainforests of the Amazon basin, Ecuador is a country of startling variety and contrast. Its capital, Quito, once a part of the Inca empire, has some of the best-preserved early colonial architecture on the continent.
Poverty reduction remains Ecuador's main development challenge. Since 1999, the country has been dollarised, privatized and decentralized. Economic disparities between rich and poor have deepened, increasing poverty levels. In 2005, about half of the entire population was living on two dollars a day, while 20 per cent were struggling with one dollar a day or less. The Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that one-fifth of all Ecuadorians are malnourished. Ecuador is categorized as a middle-income country and ranks 100 out of 177 countries on UNDP's Human Development Index (2004).
The community 24 de Mayo
The 24 de Mayo Community is located in the tropical region of Puerto Quito County in the Province of Pichincha which is 150 kms from Quito, Ecuador´s capital city. It is at an altitude of 175 meters above sea level and the average temperature is 25Cª.
The community is inhabited primarily by Afro-Ecuadorian colonists originally from other areas of Ecuador. There are about 70 families in the area. Around 70% of the population is under 25 years of age. Most of the inhabitants are employed as laborers in the African Palm plantations where Hearts of Palm are grown and prepared for transport to the market.
Lack of employment and environmental threat
The community is changing dramatically as people have little choice but to sell their land to the palm producers - resulting in the native trees and forests being replaced by palm groves. The lack of local viable sources of employment is a major challenge facing the locals. As a result young people are forced to move elsewhere for work. There are small efforts by the community to preserve the small patches of woods still exiting.
Most people remaining in the community work in the plantations and get paid a very low incomes of just $4 per day. The community does not have a health centre and is forced to travel to Puerto Quito for medical attention. The average income of a family there is US$ 120 monthly which means that access to education is difficult. Most young people do not finish elementary school.
Objective of the community: to improve the standard of living of the population and generate economic activity
To improve the standard of living of the population is the first priority of the local population. Income generation that would benefit the community as a whole is a necessary condition to increase the well being of the population. However community members are conscious that the income generating activities must be compatible with the conservation of their natural environment and respectful of their identity and their culture. Therefore, the population has decided to focus on Community based Ecotourism and to promote it as an additional source of income and as a tool for environmental protection. The population is already actively involved in preparing the village for welcoming visitors (e.g. trails marking and maintaining). However, they lack funding to improve and build proper ecological infrastructures. They have already received over 80 visitors in the last few months and receive some assistance from the municipality of Puerto Quito to promote the area to tourists.
After having been in contact with the 24 de mayo community and having witnessed the local commitment and need for support, EIL entered in this partnership with a strong determination to contribute to the success of the local development plan while giving the opportunity to Irish people to contribute to this initiative and learn from it.
Role of the volunteers
The volunteer will be part of a team which will be closely involved with the local people. Within this context of cultural immersion, the volunteers will be expected to participate directly in the activities organised for the project. Even if the time in the field will be relatively short, at the end of the project we want each volunteer to feel that they have made a difference! No matter what your skills are, you will be working on a task that will suit your profile and capacities.
Programme details
Outline of the programme
You will arrive in Quito, where you will overnight. You will take part in the orientation programme and in some excursions before departing for the community.
You will be transferred to the community by bus. Typically you will work from Monday to Friday from 8am until 5pm. During the weekends you have the opportunity to take part in excursions and field trips.
A typical day in the community is as follows:
- 7h00 Breakfast
- 8h00 Work starts
- 12h00 Lunch
- 13h00 Back to work
- 17h00 Work ends
- Free time
- 18h30 Dinner
- Night: free time or recreational activities
You will be transferred to Quito at the end of the project and will overnight there. You will have an opportunity to visit the handicraft market in Quito before departing for Ireland. You will be transferred to the airport on departure.
A detailed daily programme will be sent to you one month before departure as well as an orientation booklet on Ecuador. This will include details of local contacts, customs, visas, health, money, and other essential information.
Orientation, recreational and learning activities
During your stay in Ecuador, you will participate in at least two workshops and listen to presentations to learn more about the local culture and the particular issues that affect the area you will be based in. One will be held in Quito during your orientation programme and will address general development issues in Ecuador and will give some cultural insight into the country, its people and its culture. The second workshop will address specific development issues for the community. These workshops may be in Spanish but an English translator will be available. Please note that these workshops are flexible and subject to change.
There will also be some field trips and excursions included in your programme. In Quito you will visit the city and have an opportunity to see the handicraft market and visit the Equator Museum, situated on the Equator line.
You will also have the opportunity to get involved in recreational activities with community members who will offer dance classes such as Marimba (African dance) and Salsa. They will also organize sports at night. Field trips to see more of the local surroundings of Puerto Quito will be organized such as a visit to a model farm where you will be able to learn about local ecology and successful farm management. This is an ideal opportunity to learn more about the people and culture in this unique area.
Volunteers Role and Activities
You will be part of a team of volunteers while interacting with local people. You will be expected to participate actively in the activities organised for the project. Even if the time on the field will be relatively short, at the end of the project we want each volunteer to feel that they have made a difference!
Volunteers will work in order to improve the accommodation facilities which are the core of the eco-tourism project. They will decorate the facilities, repair old furniture and install new ones and will also participate in the construction of signs for the forest trails.
Volunteers not involved in the construction project will organize activities for young people including arts, sports and music activities. It is possible to participate in English or computer lessons for the school kids. Volunteers will also work with local experts in raising awareness in relation to environmental and health issues.
The volunteer programme is somewhat flexible so it is also up to the volunteer to think about what they can contribute most to the community. No matter what your skills are, you will be working on a task that will suit your profile and capacities.
Accommodation
In Quito, you will stay in a hostel in shared rooms. You will have access to shared bathrooms and hot water showers. The hostel is located in La Mariscal, a popular area for tourists, so it will be easy to access telephone or internet services, as well as restaurants and shops.
In the community 24 de Mayo, you will live in a cottage with 3 rooms, one bathroom with two showers. Mattresses, Pillows and mosquito nets will be provided. It is also possible to bath in a river 10 minutes from the cottage. Meals will be provided either in the cottage or with local families.
Visas
Upon entry into Ecuador you will receive a tourist visa free of charge, valid for three months.
Becoming advocates for change
On return to Ireland we support volunteers to follow up their engagement and to be advocates on behalf of these communities. Together we can raise awareness about the difficulties these people face and the ways in which the international community can assist the thousands of similar communities dotted across the world.
Want to form your own group?
Maybe you would like to form your own group with colleagues from work, friends from a club or even your extended family? If so please talk to us - we will be happy to hear from you and to set up a specific programme of activities for you at a time that works for you and for the host project.
Cost & Details
What is included
- Predeparture workshop in Ireland
- A group leader
- Welcome orientation workshop on arrival in country
- Accommodation
- 3 meals each day
- 24 hour emergency support
- Scheduled transfers to/from airports
- Bus transportation
- Medical and accident insurance from CareMed
- Cultural and sightseeing activities in country
- Opportunities to learn about local development issues through visits,
- presentations and meetings with local officials
- Project donation
- Membership in EIL Development Education Network
What is not included
- Flights
- Departure airport tax US$ 40.80
- Personal expenses
- Personal donation to the project
Dates
- August 9th - Aug 23rd
- Flexible if you form your own group
Cost
- €1430 per person (for 8 persons)
- If the number participant number reaches 10 there will be a €90 discount and if there are 12 participants there will be a €150 discount.
Protect the environment: EIL Carbon offset system
Compensate for the CO2 that your flight will generate by helping to plant trees in Guatemala.
Photos & Videos
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Stories from the field
Niamh Manning from Dublin volunteered with for 3 months in a care centre for disadvantaged children in Quito.
Conor Trawinski, a student from Co. Mayo, volunteered at project working with street children in Quito, Ecuador.
Laura Spring from Co Kerry spent three months in 2005-2006 working with a day care centre in Quito
Country info
Get involved with EIL on: 
EIL Intercultural Learning, 1 Empress Place, Summerhill North, Cork, County Cork, Republic of Ireland.
email: info@eilireland.org telephone: +353 (0)21 4551535 lowcall: 1850 292939 fax: +353 (0)21 4551587
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