Volunteer Abroad with Volunteering Solutions

Volunteer Animal Conservation in Ecuador

The purpose with this project is of course to help animals but also to show and teach people about the beautiful animal world that we have so we can protect it. The father in the family founded the animals a long time ago but before that he took care of the first animals they had in a center where some priests had a mission before leaving the area.
 
Banos
The center in Banos is one of the oldest rescue centers in Ecuador and is located just outside the center of the town. Here the founding family has built up as much as possible during the years and they are probably the only center that will have their own veterinarian clinic. As other centers, they don’t get any help from the government that only leave for example rescued trafficked animals here so one mayor income for them is the entrance fee as they could not survive without money to buy food etc for the animals.
In this way they also work as an information center and zoo for visitors that have a chance to see and learn about the animals and their problems. As many animals are affected by humans in the way that they don’t have their natural behavior, knowledge about living in the free or even hurt they will never be able to return to freedom but the center does what they can and that’s also why they have founded the center in Puyo as well.
 
They also have one part at the center where they have more reptiles as these animals also are a big concern as they get affected easy not just by trafficking but also to pollutions and changes in the environment.
 
Participants are needed to help with the daily tasks such as cleaning around the animals, feeding and give water to animals, enrich and repair cages and for example toys inside the cages etc. 
 
Participants will work together with the staff or the center and some of the family that works there. Also veterinarians and veterinarian students can take part of this project but they need to understand that there might not be a local veterinarian at the center every day and it would be great if they could bring supplies etc to work with.
 
Puyo
As a part of the center in Banos, this area of 50 hectares is slowly changed into what will hopefully be a protected area where the nature have the chance to grow back again as much of the forest is cut down. They are working on reforest the area part by part so that people can walk here to maybe see released animals but as this is the high part of the Amazon, probably more to see the fauna that its more famous for.
 
The animals that are placed here are basically the ones that belong to the Amazon area and therefore will be better off in the correct temperature and weather.
 
Participants will help with the daily tasks like feeding the animals, clean and give water to animals, repair and enrich cages, take care of the infrastructure etc together with the staff.
There is also a biologist working here so they might be helping the center with reforestation and classification of plants as they slowly try to reforest the area.
Program Information

Program Requirements

Volunteers must be 17 years or older at the beginning of the program. Volunteers need to have an open mind and flexible attitude for working in a new and different environment. The volunteer should bring energy and enthusiasm to make a difference. Basic to intermediate Spanish recommended.

Project Location

The project is located in Puyo and Banos which are about 2 -3 hours away from Quito.

 
What we provide

Airport Receive/ Transfer: Volunteers are picked up from the Quito International Airport by the local coordinator or representative. Those volunteers who are arriving overland or are already in Ecuador  will be picked up from the bus station or at a meeting point decided beforehand.

Orientation: A half day orientation will be provided by the local staff. Areas like culture, greetings, locations, transportation, safety and volunteer placements are given during the orientation. Volunteers are given a local tour of Quito city on the first day.

Lodging: Accommodation is provided with a local Ecuadorian host family. All volunteers are provided with separate rooms in most cases. However, in a some cases you would be sharing the room with a fellow volunteer. All host families are carefully selected and approved by the local staff and have past experience oh hosting international volunteers. All accommodations have running water and electricity available.

Food: The host family provides two meals per day (lunch and dinner). Lunch and dinner will be rice, a bowl of soup, fried meat (chicken, beef. pork or fish) and a lot of vegetables. Ecuadorian food is light and healthy and is not very spicy and hot.

Insurance: All participants are covered for full comprehensive Travel and Medical insurance for their time of stay in our project. To view a copy of the Insurance Coverage provided, please click here

In – Country travel assistance: Volunteers are assisted by the local staff and coordinators for any kind of assistance they need for their travel arrangements.

In-country support: 24 hours support provided by our local staff. You will be provided with the contact details of the local coordinator and staff who will be contactable 24 hrs once you are in country.

Pre-departure information: After we receive full and final payment all participants are provided by a pre-departure information booklet which will have all vital information about your program. The Pre Departure Information Booklet provides the complete details of the country, project locations, Visas, Immunizations, Things to Pack list, Accommodations, Contact Information etc.

Fee & Start Date

Start Dates
Volunteers can begin their project placement on any Monday of the month throughout the year.

Program Costs
Volunteering Solutions strives hard to keep costs low and offer you the lowest prices with professional services to volunteer abroad. Compare our prices and services to other organizations and you would be surprised to see the difference.

Progam Fee - Ecuador Volunteer Program - ( Prices in Pound )
1 Weeks 2 Weeks 3 Weeks 4 Weeks 5 Weeks 6 Weeks 7 Weeks 8 Weeks Extra Week
£343 £441 £511 £581 £665 £770 £875 £980 £105

Please note: An application fee of £130 is charged over and above the program fee as an application payment.

 
What are you Paying For ?
» 24 hrs Assistance and support from VS Staff
» Comprehensive Pre- Departure Information
» Airport Pickup
» Orientation
» Food
» Accommodation
» Travel & Medical Insurance 
 
What's NOT Included ?
» Airfare
» Visa and Visa extension fee
» Airport taxes
»Local Transportation
» Any personal expenses