SOLEcuador offers recognized volunteer work opportunities in the Intag Valley of Ecuador to professionals and students in SOCIO-ECONOMIC, EDUCATIONAL, MEDICAL, AND AGRICULTURAL fields.

The main focus of our program is to offer our volunteers a cultural exchange of experiences, knowledge, and skills while working in conjunction with other volunteers, groups, and local communities towards specific goals.

The social capital represented by volunteering plays a key role in economic regeneration. Where poverty is endemic to an area, poor communities lack friends and neighbors able to help. This, voluntary mutual aid or self-help is an important safety net. This model works well within a state because there is a national solidarity in times of adversity and more prosperous groups will usually make sacrifices for the benefit of those in need.

Professionals can share their skills and education in the rural area of Intag by becoming involved in any of our volunteering programs.

University and High School students will gain valuable experience while helping and working with local individuals or communities in the beautiful setting of Intag. Students will perform specific projects aimed at improving the quality of life in a particular community or region.

Volunteering in Intag

Ecological Monitoring

Economic Regeneration

Farming Practices

Recreational Activities

Lunch by the Apuela River

Educational Volunteering

Literacy & Tutoring Campaigns

Building Capacity & Solidarity

Bonding & Friendship

CERTIFICATES: All volunteers will receive a certificate from the designated institution or organization (school, medical center, community council, etc.) upon completing a volunteer program of their choice.

REGISTRATION REQUEST FORM

ONLINE SPANISH COURSES

ON-SITE SPANISH COURSES

Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life.

SOCIAL-ECONOMIC VOLUNTEERING: The social capital represented by volunteering plays a key role in social/ economic regeneration.

Some samples of Social-Economic Volunteering:

• Workshops on women and children’s rights
• Care of disabled children
• Psychological family counseling
• Workshops on self-esteem (specifically aimed at young mothers)
• Development of recreational spaces
• Workshops for parents (pot lucks, self-esteem, nutrition)

EDUCATION/ TUTORING VOLUNTEERING: There are many opportunities available in the Ecuadorian school system for volunteers to contribute, specially if you have a specific skill or trade.

School Benefits- Provided with additional service without having to have added costs, A positive relationship between the community and the school can be nurtured.

Volunteer Benefits- A sense of personal satisfaction, Ability to meet new people and develop new friendships.

Student Benefits- Students are given a positive role model, Educational success is encouraged and improved.

Some samples of Educational Volunteering:

• Teaching a foreign language (other than Spanish) in public primary and high schools
• Math classes and tutoring
• Art, music, theater, sports, etc. with emphasis on solidarity, good treatment, and rights
• Reading motivation for children 3 years and older
• Care for the environment
• Personal motivation to teachers and parents

MEDICAL VOLUNTEERING: Many volunteers are specifically trained in the areas they work in, such as medicine. Others volunteer on an as-needed basis, such as in response to a natural disaster. Either way, you can make a difference in the lives of those you meet and help while volunteering in Ecuador.

Some samples of Medical Volunteering:

• Practice general medicine in hospitals and health centers located in urban or rural areas
• Lend medical attention to children suffering from prevalent childhood diseases (diarrhea, respiratory infections, etc.)
• Health workshops to promote nutritional values and the prevention of infectious diseases.
• Hygiene workshops to develop healthy practices
• Attention to emergency and urgent cases

AGRICULTURAL/ ENVIRONMENTAL VOLUNTEERING: It refers to volunteers who contribute towards agricultural sustainability and environmental management. Volunteers conduct a range of activities including agricultural production, agronomy environmental monitoring, ecological restoration such as re-vegetation and weed removal, and educating others about the natural environment.

Agronomy encompasses work in the areas of plant genetics, plant physiology, meteorology, and soil science

Some samples of Agricultural/ Environmental Volunteering:

• Farming practices consulting
• Soil evaluation and classification
• Crop rotation and irrigation methods
• Environmentally friendly weed and insect control
• Optimization of production and commercialization
• Replanting of natural species
• Ecoturism & organic based produce
• Workshops on implementing Permaculture practices

NOTE: Suggestions for future volunteering programs not mentioned above are welcomed. A basic understanding of Spanish will be required.

Family Hosting accommodations for volunteers in Intag Valley range from lodging, meals, and laundry service. Host families differ in location and composition depending on the volunteering program you are interested in.

YOU CAN ALSO CHOOSE to stay at our centrally located premises in Quito if you decide to study Spanish before your volunteering tour.

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