 |
Ecuador Volunteer | Changing Lives |
| 25 reasons why you should choose Ecuador Volunteer |
 |
 |
 Before embarking on a volunteer program, there are a number of things a prospective volunteer should consider, e.g., for how long do I wish to volunteer? How much will the volunteer program cost? What do I want to get out of the experience?
If you want to help make a difference in people’s lives and if you’re passionate about the idea of becoming a volunteer, here are a few reasons why volunteering for Fundación Ecuador Volunteer could be the right choice for you:
1. Our SuccessIn the past year, we have helped more than 200 volunteers of various nationalities take part in a unique experience that has changed their lives. We are very proud of all the volunteer projects with which we work and, in particular, of the huge efforts made to improve the projects’ day-to-day management in order to ensure self-sufficiency and to make a positive, long-term impact. We are also proud of our volunteers who give their time and skills to help develop and implement these projects in local communities.
2. We Generate a Multiplier EffectWe work with more than 25 organizations around the country, offering the opportunity to volunteer in a variety of fields, therefore, providing direct support to more than 500 Ecuadorian families. Our volunteers give impetus to these projects to ensure our efforts constitute more than just a little help and make a visible impact on improving the quality of life for numerous families, the community, and the local economy.
3. Working for a Reputable Organization Makes a DifferenceOur foundation is a non-profit organization officially recognized by the Ecuadorean government (0350 Code) and the only organization authorized to recruit both national and international volunteers. Our objective is to offer support to different social projects and their development.
4. We are TransparentAll of the projects that we support in Ecuador revolve around local people and local communities. Volunteering with us allows you to see upfront that one of the best ways to offer support is by meeting personal costs for both food and accommodation on specific projects. This method of direct payment ensures we maintain transparency and proves that contributions go directly towards the local institutions concerned. This means that volunteers can obtain more detailed information as to how their money is invested into the project. This system is, without doubt, of substantial economic benefit for the local economy.
5. We Know How to Do ThingsWe have years of experience working with national and international volunteers, allowing us to forge closer communicative links and cooperative networks.
6. We Support Our VolunteersWe offer our volunteers guidance and support in each step of the volunteering process before arriving in Ecuador. Our organization’s comprehensive communication system ensures quick, clear and precise answers to volunteers’ questions. Local coordinators provide round-the-clock assistance during your stay in Ecuador. Furthermore, we offer transportation from the airport and training once volunteers arrive in Ecuador.
7. We Offer a Personalized ServiceWe offer a completely personalized service. Every volunteer receives individual attention. We know that everyone is different and, therefore, we try to provide the best service possible. Every volunteer represents a new undertaking for our organization.
8. We Are Always With You!
…Before you start volunteeringEven before you have registered as a volunteer, we provide advice and guidance so that you can choose the project that is most suitable for you. We provide information on visas, vaccinations and travel insurance. The experience of our coordinators will help you to adequately prepare for your trip.
…During your time as a volunteerOur team provides assistance from the moment you arrive in Ecuador up until the moment you leave.
…After your time as a volunteerAfter your time as a volunteer, your efforts will be rewarded with a special certificate.
9. We Help Communities Flourish
Our organization does not make a direct economic contribution to projects. We sincerely believe that permanent donations create a mindset of dependency, leading to a loss of long-term direction in project development and focus. Instead, the help of volunteers creates ongoing ties of cooperation, which then leads to effective and long-lasting collaboration.
10. Our Projects are Tried and testedWe know each project inside out. We know how important it is for you to participate in safe surroundings. Thanks to our ongoing visits to project areas we are well acquainted with each region’s strengths and weaknesses and can provide up-to-date and realistic information to volunteers.
11. We Have a Diverse Range of ProjectsThe projects with which we work take place in different areas of the country. Our organization works with a series of programs that focus on social, environmental, educational, and community-oriented fields. It is easy to find the project that best suits you.
12. We Make a Positive ImpactSince its founding, Ecuador Volunteer has supported grass roots organizations with few economic means of funding. Over time, we have seen big changes in each organization thanks to the support of volunteers like you. We form part of a community, and we are committed to it. Many people rely on us, and we are proud to provide them with a consistently excellent service. It’s the least we can do.
13. Every Project is Completely Self-SufficientWhat is important is not that the projects continue with the help of volunteers but that work goes on at a time when volunteers are unavailable. This is only possible if the projects are self-sufficient. Even if there are no volunteers, the work must be able to go on.
14. We Provide a Unique ExperienceYou will have the opportunity to be part of a unique experience that will change your perspective on life and make you aware of the importance of giving back to nature and to others. With helping comes knowledge.
15. We Open the Door to Other CulturesOur organization offers a great opportunity to work in a country rich in biodiversity and ethnic diversity. You will learn new things about Ecuador’s biological and ethnic diversity through your immersion in a new culture while changing lives.
16. We Lessen the Effects of Culture ShockWe try to lessen the culture shock for volunteers as much as possible by providing information on what to expect when you arrive in Ecuador. Project coordinators have experience working with volunteers from various cultural backgrounds so that daily interactions are easy and truly enjoyable.
17. We Help Overcome Language BarriersWe know that by living alongside other people and starting to become a part of their reality, volunteers enter into a very significant integration process. One of the best ways to ensure that this process is fruitful is by learning Spanish. Our organization will provide the necessary help to ensure you learn the language through adequate preparation, encouragement, and practice in order to break through the communication barriers. When volunteers can speak and write in Spanish, they can then make a more significant contribution to local communities and even help lower the rate of illiteracy amongst local people. Finally, the ability to interact in Spanish makes the overall experience more enjoyable for volunteers.
18. If You’re in Search of Flexibility…...then Ecuador Volunteer is for you! Volunteer programs are available throughout the year for however long you are able to volunteer. We also offer the opportunity to combine projects and expand on your knowledge.
19. We Help Needy CausesAs an organization conscious of the suffering and needs of other people, we are committed to making anonymous donations to those who need them most. Many of our volunteers have been involved with causes such as these. The act of Changing Lives means opening your heart to foster hope, peace and happiness. We continuously recite our slogan “Changing Lives” so as to hone the true meaning of the work we do.
20. Good References Make Happy VolunteersWe consider past experiences from previous volunteers to be of supreme importance and invite volunteers to share their experiences with other people. Therefore, we put you in contact with ex-volunteers so that you can judge for yourself the quality of our work and of the projects.
21. We Care About Your SafetyWe work for you and your safety. As part of our quality control procedure, we visit project sites every year to evaluate the overall experience of our volunteers and above all, to ensure that project coordinators have adequate safety measures in place for any given situation. We are committed to making sure that programs are run in the safest way possible.
22. Volunteers Are Part of Our FamilyVersion:1.0 StartHTML:0000000201 EndHTML:0000004146 StartFragment:0000003646 EndFragment:0000004110 SourceURL:file://localhost/Users/heather/Desktop/EVF/Web%20Site/25%20REASONS%20TO%20CHOOSE.docIt is important to us that you feel at home during your time in Ecuador. Warmth, support and friendliness form the basis of our team, of our host families and of the people involved in the projects. We want you to feel 100% welcome.
23. We Make Things Easy!You don’t need to have experience to participate in the majority of the programs. If you are at least 17 years of age and have a basic grasp of Spanish, that this is more than sufficient. We do the rest! Applying is easy! Simply fill in our application form, and you’re ready to go!
24. If You Have an Idea, We’ll Encourage You With ItIf you have a new idea for a project or initiative that you would like to see implemented in Ecuador, then we will provide you with the necessary support to help you develop it. We are an organization that is open to new ideas and projects, and we encourage volunteers to take initiative.
25. So, You Like to Travel?We provide you with a useful and comprehensive visitors’ guidebook so that you can get the most out of your free time.
|
|
Fundación Ecuador Volunteer / Yanéz Pinzón N25-106 y Av. Colón / Quito - Ecuador - South America / Telfax (593-2) 2557749 - 2226544 / Ministerial Resolution N° 0350 |
   |
|---|
