Frequently Asked Questions
- ORGANIZATION
- TYPE OF PROJECTS
- TIME LENGTH OF WORK
- LODGING, MEALS, AND PERSONAL EXPENSES
- AVAILIBILTY IN PROJECTS
- STARTING DATES OF PROJECTS
- APPLICATION PERIOD
- PROJECT COSTS
- FORMS OF PAYMENT
- TAXES
- RESPONSIBILITIES
- TRAVEL INSURANCE
- EVALUATION SYSTEM AND CERTIFICATION
- AIRPORT TRANSFER
- REQUIREMENTS
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ORGANIZATION
1. What is the principle function of the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation?
The Ecuador Volunteer Foundation is a non-profit organization, whose principle function is to select volunteers and create a bridge between different projects in the Ecuadorian area.
2. Is the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation authorized to operate?
The Ecuador Volunteer Foundation has been legally authorized in Ecuador, as recognized by the Ministerial Resolution Nº 0350, and is the only authorized organization by the Ecuadorian government to select national and international volunteers.
TYPES OF PROJECTS
1. What types of projects are available?
Volunteer projects are classified in two areas: Free Projects and Low Cost Projects, which are easy to identify in the left-hand navigation bar.
2. What type of needs do the volunteer programs encompass?
The volunteer programs focus on social, community, environmental, educational, and health weaknesses within the context of the program.
3. What are the Free Projects?
The Free Project section offers volunteering opportunities without any costs. This implies that the volunteer projects cover meals and lodging for the volunteer during their volunteering period.
4. What are the Low Cost Projects?
The Low Cost Project section offers volunteer opportunities in areas where the volunteer must cover the cost of meals and lodging. Some projects offer meals within the means of the project’s environment and funding.
5. Can I apply my profession in the project?
Yes, it is highly recommended and very important for the volunteers to forward a copy of their resume to the foundation. This way we can determine the best environment to apply your skills, and additionally, receive feedback from other projects that may be able to utilize your skills.
6. Where are these projects located?
The projects are located around Ecuador, and each project has a specific page of information with location details.
TIME LENGTH OF WORK
1. What is the minimum time length for the Free Projects?
The minimum required time length is three months for the Free Projects.
2. What is the minimum time length for the Low Cost Projects?
The minimum required time length for these projects is one month.
3. How long should I be in Quito before I begin volunteer work?
The volunteers should be in Quito for at least two or three days before beginning any work. This allows enough time for the volunteer to obtain all necessary information about their volunteer project and to become accustomed to the culture, customs, and details of the project. If the volunteer needs to buy any personal items, this would be the ideal time.
4. Will there be enough time to buy souvenirs and gifts for friends and family?
Yes, we recommend that volunteers that work in rural projects, communities, and ecological settings take time after the project to buy these items. For volunteers that work in Quito, or other large cities, we recommend that they buy these items on the weekends.
LODGING, MEALS, AND PERSONAL EXPENSES
1. Where will I stay?
The accommodation system depends on the type of project the volunteer participates in. For more information, we recommend looking at the following webpage: Accommodation
2. What projects include free lodging and food?
The only projects that include free lodging and food are the Free Projects.
3. What Low Cost Projects include free lodging and food?
All of the community and ecological Low Cost Projects include free lodging and food, as well as those projects where the volunteer lives with Ecuadorian families.
4. Where are the hostels located in Quito?
You can find hostels in the “Mariscal” area of Quito. It is the tourist district of the city, and it offers various services to foreigners, i.e. internet cafes, travel agencies, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, banks, laundries, etc.
5. Where are the families located in Quito?
The families can be found in residential areas of the city, which tends to be more calm and safe in relation to the tourist district.
6. How many people are there per room in the hostels?
The volunteer will share their hostel room with approximately three or four other people.
7. Are rooms with Ecuadorian families private or shared?
The rooms with Ecuadorian families are generally private, with shared bathrooms, but we cannot guarantee that you will have a private room.
8. If I want to live in a hostel, how much should I spend on a meal?
The average amount spent on food per day is between 6 to 10 USD.
9. What is the food in Ecuador like?
Meals are very varied depending on the geographical zone in the country, but Quito, Guayaquil, and Cuenca principally offer a wide variety of international food. Within the community and ecological programs, meals depend on the available resources within that project.
10. How much money should I bring for personal expenses?
Excluding lodging and food, $60 USD per month should be sufficient if the project is located in Quito. This includes transportation to the projects, personal hygiene items, and museum visits.
11. How much money should I bring for tourist activities in Ecuador?
Depending on the type of tourist activity you experience, a tour within the country ranges from $25 USD to $300 USD. One of the most popular tourist destinations is the Galapagos Islands, which you can easily find a tour for. Tours include the airline ticket, taxes and guide expenses for the islands, and range from $1000 USD to $5000 USD.
AVAILIBILITY IN PROJECTS
1. How many spaces are available in each project?
Depending on which project you choose, there are generally a maximum of five volunteer spaces available in each project.
STARTING DATES OF PROJECTS
1. When should I travel?
The majority of the projects are available year-round, but it is still very important to plan your trip minimum one month before.
2. Is there a specific end date to my volunteer project?
No, a majority of the projects are available year-round, but the minimum volunteer time is one month for the Low Cost Projects, and three months for the Free Projects.
APPLICATION PERIOD
1. How far in advance should I file my application?
Your application should be filed at least one month in advance to your desired volunteer starting date. This is when you will provide your confirmed date, time, airline, and flight number for your arrival in Ecuador.
PROJECT COSTS
1. Should I pay for the volunteer work?
The Ecuador Volunteer Foundation does not receive financial support from any public or private organization. Therefore, we are grateful for contributions of $200 USD, which allow us to cover the investment costs for each volunteer before we set them up with the organization in which they will be working.
2. What does the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation do with the donated money?
Money donated by the volunteers principally serves as a cover for administrative costs for the foundation, volunteer transportation from the airport to their accommodations in Quito, information material, and website promotion to make our foundation as accessible as possible.
3. How much do the projects cost?
There are two types of projects: Free Projects, where the project covers lodging and food expenses, and Low Cost Projects, where the volunteer needs to cover their own lodging and food expenses.
4. Should I pay the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation for the Low Cost Projects?
No, Ecuador Volunteer only receives the primary $200 USD contribution for the administrative costs. Volunteers should make their payments directly to the projects, hostels, or families.
5. Why are the costs of the projects so low?
Our principle focus is to improve the quality of life for the people, and we coordinate our efforts to allow volunteers to help us do that as easily as possible. This is how we distinguish ourselves from other organizations-- by looking into all alternatives in order to find the best possible way to allow volunteers to live comfortably in Ecuador, while always being mindful of volunteer’s selflessness.
6. Does the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation ask for any sort of economic contributions to the projects?
The Ecuador Volunteer Foundation does not ask for any financial support to any projects. We support the projects through our work in creating a bridge between the volunteers and the environments that need the most help.
FORMS OF PAYMENT
1. When should I pay the donation to the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation?
The donation payment should be made before the volunteer arrives in Ecuador, and if possible, via bank transfer or credit card.
2. When should I pay for the Low Cost Projects?
The payment should be made once you arrive in Ecuador, and should be directly made to the projects, hostels, or families. Ecuador Volunteer will give you directions with how to go about making these payments.
3. How can I pay my donation payment to Ecuador Volunteer?
If you would like to pay via bank transfer or credit card, we recommend that you e-mail us at info@ecuadorvolunteer.org so that we can send you the necessary information and proper steps for the transaction.
4. Where can I change my traveler’s checks?
Near our office there are many banks where you can change your traveler’s checks with your passport.
TAXES
1. In Ecuador are there airport taxes to leave or enter the country?
The only airport tax is charged when you leave the country, which costs $35 USD.
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. What is the responsibility of the Ecuador Volunteer Foundation?
Ecuador Volunteer is exclusively responsible for the arrangement of housing, information, orientation for the volunteers before they begin their volunteer work, and coordination with their corresponding volunteer project.
2. Who is responsible for the projects?
Each project, organization, and foundation has a director or coordinator that is directly responsible for the volunteers work. Ecuador Volunteer does not have its own projects. For this reason, we cannot intervene with the regulations, administration, or function of each project.
3. Who is responsible for the volunteers within the projects?
The people responsible for the volunteers are the same volunteers, coordinators, or directors for the projects. Ecuador Volunteer is not responsible for the volunteers while they are working in the projects.
4. What guarantee can Ecuador Volunteer give us to ensure that these projects are perfectly organized?
Ecuador Volunteer is a network that receives many project applications from organizations that require volunteer help. We select the projects that need the most assistance and that present the most structured plan for the volunteers. We cannot guarantee a perfectly functioning project, but we try to select the best.
5. Are there projects that have problems?
All of the projects present some sort of problems; if the projects were perfect, they wouldn’t need volunteer help.
6. What is the responsibility of the volunteers within the projects?
The responsibility of the volunteers is to comply with the assigned functions given to them by the directors or coordinators of the project. If some sort of problem arises, it is the volunteer's responsibility to ask that their functions be reassigned.
7. How can you change your project?
If the volunteers want to change their project, if the volunteers do not like the selected project, they should present and explain their reasons, and Ecuador Volunteer will present them alternative projects that they can apply for.
8. How safe are the projects?
Generally, the projects are safe and do not produce and personal risks for volunteers without bags. Volunteers should always be conscious that they are working in the poorest areas of the population. All volunteers receive instructions on how to travel safely throughout the country.
TRAVEL INSURANCE
1. Is it necessary to invest in travel insurance?
Yes, all of the volunteers should have travel insurance before they begin their project. If the volunteers have gotten insurance independently, a copy of it should be presented to the Ecuador Volunteer office. If you receive travel insurance through Ecuador Volunteer, you do not need to provide us with a copy of your insurance.
2. Are there frequent accidents with volunteers within the projects?
So far there have not been any problems or accidents with volunteers, but is it necessary to be insured, given that accidents are always possible.
3. If we want to obtain travel insurance, how much should it cost?
Travel insurance cost that Ecuador Volunteer provides is $2.24 USD per day.
4. What is included in the travel insurance that Ecuador Volunteer offers?
It includes medical expenses and emergencies, medication, dental emergencies, ambulance services, body transfer, legal assistance for traffic accidents, accidental death while in public transportation, total incapacitation and paralysis by accident, $30 USD per kilo for lost equipment, and coverage all over Ecuador. For more details about the benefits of the coverage, we recommend that you e-mail us for more information at info@ecuadorvolunteer.org
EVALUATION SYSTEM AND CERTIFICATION
1. Do we need to have an evaluation of our experience in order to complete the project?
Yes, all of the volunteers should return to the Ecuador Volunteer offices for a final evaluation of your project. This information will allow us to analyze the projects, and if they are solid, offer them to other volunteers through our website.
2. How long does it take complete an evaluation?
The evaluation time is approximately 20 minutes.
3. How do we obtain our certificate?
All of the volunteers receive a certificate of their work at the end of their volunteer period. For this reason, it is important that the volunteers return to our office in Quito at the end of their time within the project.
AIRPORT TRANSFER
1. Who will pick me up at the airport?
At the airport gate for the international terminal there will be a person with a yellow card holding up the volunteer’s name. This person will drive you to your accommodations in Quito.
2. Who will bring me to the volunteer office?
A person from the organization will pick up the volunteer at their accommodations and take them to the Ecuador Volunteer office. There they will receive an information packet.
REQUIREMENTS
1. What prerequisites do I need in order to volunteer?
All of the information about the prerequisites in order to work as a volunteer can be found in the following page: How Do I Apply?
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