Project Description
This is a Ecological Project that has a mean goal to protect the Biodiversity of the are of old growth forest (original forest) of more than 1000 hectares, called Bigal River Reserve, located at the buffer zone of the Sumaco National Park.
To get the goal of Conservation, the project implement the activities with a willingness to foster an environment where human acts in harmony with the nature, through educational projects, ecotourism, using alternative energetic materials and sources and scientific research.
observations on wildlife.
Why the projects need volunteers
The project is in need of motivated people who would come and participate with project’s activities that will eventually help local communities and families to adopt a sustainable way of life. The benefits generated by the volunteer program will be used to implement scientific research programs, environmental and conservational issues, and education. Overall, those benefits will help individuals from local communities to reach better economical standards for their families.
Fast Facts What is included? What is not included? What is also included?
Fast Facts
| Voolunteer Time |
2 Weeks + / Educational area minimum 1 Month |
| Project Location |
Loreto |
| Nearest airport |
Mariscal Sucre - Quito |
| Responsibilities |
- AREA 1: Scientific Research: 1. Find, identify, classify, and monitoring species. 2. Making of a series of field guides. Photographers welcome. - AREA 2: Education 1. English classes 2. Environmental education classes. 3. Projects with school and young publics 4. Homework support and special education. - AREA 3: Construction 1. Building of original structures using bamboo (Guadua angustifolia). 2. Maintenance and design of forest trails. 3. Making of signs to be used in the Reserve. 4. Making of bamboo furniture and bamboo objects. |
| Hours of Work |
35 a 40 hours per week |
| Number of places available |
14 volunteers |
| Project availability |
Froma January to December |
| Prerequisities |
Minimum age 18 years old � A great interest in the conservation of nature and activities related to human development, a willingness to learn and work, and a positive attitude. All the volunteers need to have an intermediate knowledge of the Spanish language before starting their volunteer work. If the volunteer is not at this level, Ecuador Volunteer could help him/her to find the best program to improve his/her Spanish skills before starting the project.Minimum age is 18 years old – Must have a fairly good command of spoken Spanish language - Most important is to have a strong interest in nature and its conservancy, and a will to help local people to live better and in harmony with the surrounding rainforest. |
What is included?
| Accommodation |
- • AREA 1: SCIENTIFIC
Camping in the Bigal River Biological Reserve’s Station.
Solar lights, river, waterfall and rain water (filtered and boiled for drinking use), individual tent with a basic mattress settled on an elevated and waterproof wooden platform, ecological dry toilets.
• AREA 2: EDUCATIONAL
Live with a local Host Family. Basic amenities available, phone line, phone booths, internet access (only in Loreto), local transportation, potable bottled water, electricity, health center. The homes have shared bathroom, cold water and individual rooms.
• AREA 3: CONSTRUCCION
Camping in the Bigal River Biological Reserve’s Station.
Solar lights, river, waterfall and rain water (filtered and boiled for drinking use), individual tent with a basic mattress settled on an elevated and waterproof wooden platform, ecological dry toilets.
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| Food |
- •In the Reserve (Scientific Research and Construction): The volunteers eat with the project’s team, a cook will be preparing the food for each meal. According to the volunteers’ diet, menus will be adjusted and groceries selected. If the at some point some of the activities imply staying in Loreto, where electricity and internet are available, volunteers will also be able to buy groceries and cook for themselves, and also to go and eat in one of Loreto’s small restaurants.
•Education: The Project includes 3 meals a day. The type of food will be based on local cooking habits. The meals will be provided by the family where the volunteers are staying. If the volunteer wants, there is also the option of buying and cooking his own food in the family’s house.
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| Support |
- Before your trip - 24/7 advice via telephone and/or email before leaving your home country.
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| Training |
- Workshop volunteer trainning before commencing as volunteer.
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| Extra |
- Application Fee
- 25 hours of Spanish Lessons + Activities
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What is not included?
| Transport |
- International flight tickets.
- Local transport once in the country.
- Airline and/or airport taxes.
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| Insurance |
- Travel Insurance and related expenses.
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| Visa, inoculations |
- Visa application costs and related expenses.
- Inoculations and related expenses.
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What is also included?
- Transfer from the airport to location of the project or place of stay in Quito.
- Practical, informative advice and support before, during and after project from a team of professionals.
- In-country guidance to resolve potential issues that may arise during the project.
- Guidance and evaluation to check on progress during volunteer period.
- A facility at the organization office for making local calls.
- Receiving of faxes.
- Informative visitor guide with information on recreational activities.
- Certificate of successful completion as volunteer.
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Please note
The Project is executed in a participatory manner involving local communities in the activities and in the project’s decision making process.
Besides the Bigal River Biological Reserve (BRBR) is a unique habitat, bordering Sumaco National Park (200.000 hectares of wilderness). The BRBR is home to large mammals such as jaguars, tapirs, anteaters, peccaries, deers, spider monkeys, wooly monkeys, howlers, capuchins, etc. Scientific research has already permitted the encounter and identification of 273 species of birds, 46 species of frogs, 48 species of reptiles, 100 species of spiders, and a total of 826 species of insects of which 339 species are butterflies species. And this is just a beginning…
Finally, the eastern slopes of the Andes, where the Amazonian lowlands end, and where the Reserve is located, are considered some of the most plant diverse area of the planet.
What skills do volunteers need?
Minimum age is 18 years old – Must have a fairly good command of spoken Spanish language
AREA 1: Scientific research
Patience, perseverance, ability to adapt, ability to plan ahead and anticipate, experienced with camping in the wild, will to share knowledge and discoveries with the rest of the group, good health.
AREA 2: Education
Motivation to provide classes to a young audience from a rural area; patience, creativity, autonomy, capacity to work with very limited school supplies and teaching materials, positive thinking, social skills, teaching experience welcome.
AREA 3: Construction
Motivation, good health, creativity, autonomy, team spirit, knowledge and experience with construction techniques welcome.
What does the Volunteer needs to bring
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- Insect repellent (application containing 40% Deet is recommended)
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo, First Aid box
- Flashlight/torch
- Batteries/box of matches
- Water bottle
- Knife (Swiss army)
- Waterproof jacket
- Long-sleeved undershirts
- Swimming costume
- Hiking boots
- Hat
- Sandals
- Towels
- Camera-binoculars (optional)
- Sunglasses
- Books (for personal use)
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Steps to follow
When you have booked...
- Once we receive your first email we will immediately contact you to give you general information about us and projects.
- Select the project where you would like to participate.
- Send your CV.
- Participate in an interview.
- You will receive an email about confirmation of your participation and we will prepare for your trip to Ecuador.
- You should fill out certain documents of the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation, which we will send you opportunely.
After you have been selected as a volunteer...
- Get your flight tickets.
- Get travel insurance for the time that you will participate in our projects.
- Get your Police Check or Police Disclosure.
- Send us the documents of the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation filled out with the pertinent information.
- Verify that you got certain vaccines as Yellow Fever, Hepatitis A & B, Diphtheria, Typhoid. We recommend getting the yellow fever vaccine and malaria pills as a precaution.
- Get a medical certificate.
- Fill out the Final Form that is on our website.
- In the case that the volunteer is not a Hispanic speaker she/he must plan a Spanish course before entering in the project.
- Give an exam in Spanish to check your knowledge in the language.
- Check if you need a visa to enter in the country.
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