Voluntary conservation work in Ecuador

AN EXPERIENCE IN THE NATURAL PARADISE
OF MINDO

Mindo is a region with much biodiversity and is recognized worldwide for its various species of birds. For many years, parts of the primary forest in Mindo were cut down in order to construct sugar cane plantations and pastoral fields for livestock. Not only were trees and plants lost but several species of birds and other animals which lived off the fruits and seeds of the forest disappeared from the region (the Cock-of-the-Rock, the Spectacled Bear and the Howler Monkey).

The project is located in an ecotourism town with 2,000 inhabitants and is 95km away from Quito; approximately 2 and half hours by public transportation. The town is situated in a valley surrounded by the cloud forest. There are many species of birds, butterflies and various other animals which live in the forest and there are also several rivers and numerous amounts of waterfalls and the enchanting protected forest of “Nambillo Mindo”. The climate is temperate.

Project Description:

The “Mindo Volunteer” project seeks to reforest the desolate areas with plants and trees from the primary forest with the hope of the birds and animals returning back to the region in order to repopulate the area. The town of Mindo lives off ecotourism and supports our projects not only to improve the environment but also to improve the standard of living.

In addition, “Mindo Volunteers” seeks to help the town through social projects. We work with pre-school children (using games and songs to teach colors, numbers, animals, etc.); in the school we help with extra-curricular activities (projects involving environmental work, music classes, organic agriculture and painting murals with the aim of improving the look of the school); in town we are converting a swampland/garbage dump which is next to the river, into a natural park for the use of the local community; with other organizations and the help of the community we are working in environmental and health areas. We also run recycling programs, education in cleaning and maintaining public areas and teach hygiene.

Volunteer Activities:

Upon arrival volunteers are taught how to use work tools such as machetes and mattocks and are also taught organic horticulture techniques. Volunteers are also instructed on how to recognize flora and fauna of the region.

Reforestation

1. Collection of seeds and plants in the primary forest
2. Maintenance of seedbeds
3. Construction new seedbeds
4. Maintenance of reforested areas
5. Maintenance and care of the trees planted

Organic Kitchen Garden

1. Prepare and fertilize land
2. Plant seeds
3. Maintaining the garden
4. Creating a compost from leftover organic trash
5. Look after the worms
6. Fertilizing and fumigating with natural products
7. Producing organic insecticide
8. Collecting and drying seeds

School

1. Help children with their homework
2. Assisting teachers with music and environmental classes
3. Working with children in the kitchen garden and with farmyard animals
4. Organizing excursions so the children can learn about the environment and ecology

Pre-School

1. Organizing games and activities for children aged 2-4
2. Help the teacher during working hours
3. Preparing materials and assisting when and where needed

The Park

1. Cleaning the swampland
2. Constructing a path along the river banks
3. Sowing grass and planting plants and trees

Recycling

Coordinating and executing a plan as to improve recycling with the help of the community and other organizations

Volunteer profile:

Volunteers must be enthusiastic, creative and be willing to work with the environmental of rural communities. An intermediate knowledge of Spanish. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Services near the reserve

The nearest health care facility is in the Mindo Center. Cities such as San Miguel de los Bancos has the same facilities, or Quito, about 2,5 hours away, have excellent hospitals and English speaking doctors.

Accommodation:

The cost of living for volunteers includes 3 meals per day and housing at the Hostel. Hostel type shared rooms with bathrooms and hot water, electricity and laundry service, you will share with other volunteers.
Saturday and Sunday meals are not included, but the volunteer can buy their own meals and bring them to the Hostel´s kitchen or pay $ 2 for each meal.

What does the Volunteer need to bring?

• Insect repellent (40% DEET is advised)
• Sunscreen
• Shampoo, first aid kit
• Flashlight
• Batteries/ matches
• Canteen
• Swiss army knife
• Rubber boots
• Rain coat
• Plenty of socks
• Warm clothes
• Long sleeve shirts
• Summer clothes
• Bathing suit
• Trekking shoes
• Cap or hat
• Sleeping bag
• Flip-flops
• Work gloves
• Towels
• Camera-binoculars (opcional)
• Sun glasses
• Books to read
• Ziplock bags
• Pens/journal

Duration

The minimum time required to work in this project is one month and there is not a maximum determination. It is possible to request a volunteer visa if you want to develop a project that will last more than 6 months. Volunteers will work 8 hours per day, with 8 days off per month. (It is usually a 5 day work week, but it depends on the nature of the project.)

The volunteers will have to work Monday-Friday (8am – 8pm) with 2 hour lunch break

Free time:

In all projects, you are going to have a schedule of different activities and you will be an 8 hour day, but other than that you will have time to relax, read, go to the rivers, wash your clothes, paint, talk to local people, or practice sports.

Possible Activities during Free Time

• Tubing
• Canopy
• Renting quads
• Renting bikes
• Butterfly farms
• Aquarium
• Orchid farms
• Various excursions
• Fishing

Requirements

You do not need a college education in order to work in the conservation activities. You do need, however, a great interest in the conservation of nature and activities related to human development. A willingness to learn and work – 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 their Spanish skills before starting the project.