11 week Cloud Forest Conservation Volunteering project in Ecuador
- Job Type
voluntary - Posted On
2 days ago - Expires On
02, Aug 2012
Job description
Travel and volunteer as part of a small group on a Reserve. It is a wonderful opportunity to experience rural Ecuadorian life and to be part of a hands-on conservation project over four weeks – it is ideal for those wanting a challenge and a chance to improve their Spanish. You will play a crucial role in enabling the development of the Reserve’s sustainable ecotourism operation and their conservation and community projects.
The four weeks on the Reserve is followed by a period of independent travel in Latin America all with 24-hour support from our local representative.
A day in the life of a volunteer:
One of the strengths of the volunteer programme is that you work alongside members of the Reserve and you will gain a real insight into daily life in a rural community. Whilst volunteering in on the Reserve at Santa Lucia you will live in volunteer accommodation and your main tasks could include:
- Organic gardening - the garden supplies the lodge with fresh produce
- Trail maintenance - essential to ensure that the trails don’t cause erosion and that they are safe to hike
- Agro forestry - maintaining the forests organic coffee, sugar cane and bananas and making panela (sugar) and coffee the traditional way
- Orchid Garden - help is needed to maintain and enlarge the orchidarium
Spare time:
People on the Reserve are always ready for a game of football or you can spend your free time hiking, birding, swimming, visiting waterfalls and enjoying the fiestas and dances in the nearby towns. We encourage volunteers to get to know the local community and experience the real Ecuador.
Accommodation:
Santa Lucía eco-lodge and cabanas are in the heart of the cloud forest on a mountain peak at 1900 metres. You will be accommodated in the lodge dorm rooms. Bathrooms are shared and in addition to flush toilets the lodge has compost toilets to minimise contamination. The showers have particularly spectacular views over the forest but volunteers should use water sparingly. There are solar panels that provide limited electricity in the lodge only. Meals combine traditional Ecuadorian and international recipes and where possible organic produce is used from the Lodge garden. Volunteers are always welcome to lend a hand in the garden and kitchen.
Our volunteer projects are a great way to improve your skills and enhance your CV - stand out from the crowd at job interviews! It is a competitive market out there - help others to help yourself!
Project dates - February to April
Prices from GB£2990 - covers pre-departure information, online health check with InterHealth, telephone briefing and a face to face meeting, orientation on arrival, accommodation and basic food allowance during your 3 week Spanish Language Course and during your 4 week volunteer placement, and of course 24 hour in-country back up from our local representative.
Skills required: We require volunteers to speak English to a level where they can easily communicate with the rest of the group, and able to carry out their volunteering tasks. You should also have a basic knowledge of Spanish before departure. Volunteers need to be ready for a challenge and looking for a cultural experience. No specific experience required. This is not a tourist holiday it is about cultural immersion and adventure.
