Project Description
Mindo is a region of enormous biodiversity and is internationally renowned for its significant species of birds. For several years, the old growth forest has been cut down to make way for sugar cane plantations and grazing areas for livestock.
Volunteering at Mindo is a great opportunity for those interested in becoming acquainted with the biodiversity of the region as well as getting to know the customs and traditions of local people. Also, such an experience provides ample opportunity to improve language skills, particularly in Spanish, and share your knowledge of environmental and social work with other volunteers and local members of the community.
Work is not only carried out at Mindo. We also support small communities nearby such as: Pueblo Nuevo, San Tadeo, San José de Saloya, Primero de Mayo, amongst others. These small communities are mainly populated by farmers whose livelihoods revolve around agriculture and dairy farming (producing cheese, milk, and natural jams). Work is carried out alongside farmers to help them implement small production techniques, which will generate further income and make the following possible: building organic family/school allotments; construction of enclosures in which to raise chickens, guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, and ornamental gardens in which to sell plants; provide sales training so that food products can be sold on the commercial market, etc).
Why the projects need volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help support small communities where resources are limited whilst also raising awareness amongst local people of the need to protect the environment.
Fast Facts What is included? What is not included? What is also included?
Fast Facts
| Voolunteer Time |
2 weeks |
| Project Location |
Mindo - Nambillo |
| Nearest airport |
Mariscal Sucre - Quito |
| Responsibilities |
Main activities in which volunteers will be involved are environmental education, working on the farms, community work, training adults and children and offering support to the Center for Environmental Education. |
| Hours of Work |
35 - 40 hours per week |
| Number of places available |
8 volunteers |
| Project availability |
Throughout the year. |
| Prerequisities |
Minimum age is 18 years – intermediate level of Spanish – an interest in environmental conservation and work of a socio-economic nature. |
What is included?
| Accommodation |
- Stay is with host families in individual or shared rooms.
|
| Food |
- 3 meals daily/vegetarian options available.
|
| Support |
- Before your trip - 24/7 advice via telephone and/or email before leaving your home country.
|
| Training |
- Workshop volunteer trainning before commencing as volunteer.
|
| Extra |
- Application Fee
- 25 hours of Spanish Lessons + Activities
|
What is not included?
| Transport |
- International flight tickets.
- Local transport once in the country.
- Airline and/or airport taxes.
|
| Insurance |
- Travel insurance and related expenses.
|
| Visa, inoculations |
- Visa application costs and related expenses.
- Inoculations and related expenses.
|
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 project grounds 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 forestry reserve of Mindo-Nambillo is the most important in the country due to its rich biodiversity, particularly in the significant variety of birds. It is thought that of the 1,800 species of birds in our country, approximately 500 are found in Mindo. The reserve is considered one of the best places in the world to go bird watching. For Mindo’s residents, preservation of the natural resources is supremely important as their main means of sustenance and income depend on the forest’s wellbeing.
What skills do volunteers need?
No professional experience is required. However, volunteers are expected to show creative ability and eagerness to help in community-oriented and environmentally-friendly related work. Volunteers are also expected to show an interest in working with children and young people, have a basic understanding of computers, prepare learning material and provide language teaching to children and young people. Should the volunteer have professional experience in the relevant fields, we can organize further training courses and activities based on his/her length of stay.
What does the Volunteer needs to bring
| - Insect repellent (application containing 40% Deet is recommended)
- Sunscreen
- Shampoo, First Aid box
- Flashlight/torch
- Batteries/box of matches
- Water bottle/flask
- Knife (Swiss Army)
- Hiking boots
- Waterproof jacket
- Many socks
- Warm, wind-proof clothing
- Long-sleeved undershirts
- Summer attire
- Swimming costume
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Hat
- Sleeping bag
- Sandals
- Work gloves
- Towels
- Camera-binoculars (optional)
- Sunglasses
- Books (for personal use)
- Ziploc bags/plastic sandwich bags
- Pens/felt-tip pens
|
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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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