When you volunteer in Ecuador you travel to Otavalo is a town situated in the high Andes in the north of Ecuador where our head office is based.
Ecuador is located in northwestern South America and is the smallest country in the Andes with a total surface area of 283,561 km² . With around 16 million inhabitants, it is one of the most densely populated countries in South America.
The capital, Quito, is located at an altitude of 2,800 meters and lies just below the equator, which gives the country its name. Ecuador borders the Pacific Ocean in the west, Colombia on the north and Peru on the east and south.
Ecuador is divided into four major zones: the coast (Costa), the Andes (Sierra), the Amazon basin (Oriente) and the Galapagos Islands. The coastal area consists of wide plains with fertile land that are mainly used for agriculture. The plains are only a few meters above sea level, meaning temperatures can rise quickly.
Next to extensive plantations, you will mainly find mangrove forests and tropical forests. Guayaquil, the largest city in the country, is located in the south of this country. You will also find the mouth of the Guayas, the largest river in South America that flows into the Pacific Ocean.
The Sierra is the highlands of the Andes and is formed by two parallel mountain ranges: the Cordillera Occidental and the Cordillera Oriental. The Andes runs through the center of the country. Both the capital Quito (2800m) and the third largest city Cuenca (2500m) are located in these high mountains. Ecuador is known for its large number of volcanoes, several of which are still active.
The so-called “volcano road” is formed by volcanoes such as the Cayambe (5790m), Antisana (5704m), Chimborazo (6310m) and Cotopaxi (5897m). The Cotopaxi volcano is the highest active volcano in the world.
The Oriente is located in the east and consists of a tropical jungle area (la Selva), with a very varied flora and fauna. The area is intersected by a number of large rivers. The two best known national parks are Cuyabeno and Yasuni. This green lung is seriously threatened by the unbridled logging and many mining and petroleum concessions.
The Galapagos Islands are located 1,000 km west of the mainland. The archipelago consists of a group of 13 large and dozens of smaller islands. Five islands are inhabited. The islands are of volcanic origin and have never been connected to the mainland. This makes them particularly unique from a geographical point of view and they are home to unique animal species.
Otavalo is a town situated in the high Andes in the north of Ecuador. The town is surrounded by volcanoes, Imbabura, Fuya Fuya, Cotacachi. In Otavalo you will be presented with the largest artisan market in South America every Saturday.
The city is located in the province of Imbabura at an altitude of 2500 meters and has approximately 53,000 inhabitants and owes its name to the Otavalo Indian tribe. This tribe has succeeded in maintaining its own culture and identity and adapting it to the current times. By modernizing the textile industry in particular, a lot of money has flowed into the community and people have been able to buy back the original lands from large landowners.
The town of Otavalo itself, compared to many other places in Ecuador, is prosperous with a cheerful street scene.
Most project sites are based in Otavalo and
surroundings but it is also possible that your placement is further away
(especially the coffee plantations). Volunteers are always welcomed at
the main office in Otavalo where they stay first couple of days during
their orientation.
Our project operations
consists of “growing together”, going through a process together with
the local population. Through sustainable projects that address the
problems directly. Values such as respect and self-respect, shared
responsibility, transparency, trust, discipline and solidarity play a
major role. We guide experiential learning processes in vulnerable
communities to promote the local economy and sustainable agriculture.
The main goal is that associations and productive organizations can
evolve socially and economically towards independence.
We believe
in integral processes, where cultural, anthropological, socio-economic,
scientific-ecological and educational aspects are intertwined.
What do volunteers do?
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers are placed in communities in the area of Otavalo. Volunteers always stay near the school they work. We will try to schedule you in a requested destination but that is no garantuee.
Schedule: We teach from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
What do volunteers do?
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers
are placed in communities in the area of Otavalo. Volunteers always
stay near the school they work. We will try to schedule you in a
requested destination but that is no garantuee.
Schedule: We teach from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
What do volunteers do?
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers are placed in communities in the area of Otavalo. Volunteers always stay near the school they work. We will try to schedule you in a requested destination but that is no garantuee.
Schedule: We teach from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
What do volunteers do?
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers are placed in communities in the area of Otavalo. Volunteers always stay near the school they work. We will try to schedule you in a requested destination but that is no garantuee.
Schedule: We teach from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
What do volunteers do?
We cooperate with the Ministry of Environment for this project.
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers are placed in communities in the area of Otavalo. Volunteers always stay near the school they work. We will try to schedule you in a requested destination but that is no garantuee.
Schedule: We teach/work from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
What do volunteers do?
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers
are placed in either Otavalo, Ibarra, Quito or Atuntaqui. There is a
possibiliy on field work for a couple of days depending on the needs of
the moment.
Schedule: We teach/work from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
Complex societies require complex thinking. In a world of rapid changes and shifting boundaries there is a growing need for minds that are capable of switching perspective and thinking outside of narrow academic boxes.
What do volunteers do?
We cooperate with the Ministry of Agriculture for this project.
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers
are placed in either Otavalo, Ibarra, Quito or Atuntaqui. There is a
possibiliy on field work for a couple of days depending on the needs of
the moment.
Schedule: We teach/work from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
Pedagogies vary greatly, as they reflect the different social, political, cultural contexts from which they emerge. Theories of pedagogy increasingly identify the student as an agent, and the teacher as a facilitator. Conventional western pedagogies, however, view the teacher as knowledge holder and student as the recipient of knowledge.
What do volunteers do?
Research and organisizing seminars with local professors, lecturers & teachers about following (non limitative) subjects:
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers
are placed in either Otavalo, Ibarra, Quito, Atuntaqui or Cayambe.
There is a possibiliy on field work for a couple of days depending on
the needs of the moment.
Schedule: We teach/work from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
What do volunteers do?
Research and organisizing seminars with local professors, lecturers & teachers about following (non limitative) subjects:
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers
are placed in either Otavalo, Ibarra, Quito, Atuntaqui or Cayambe.
There is a possibiliy on field work for a couple of days depending on
the needs of the moment.
Schedule: We teach/work from Monday to Friday, hours depend on the period of the year.
Requirements
This project focuses on poor farmers, single and abused women
What do volunteers do?
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Volunteers are placed at various coffee plantations. Volunteers always stay near the plantation to become part of the community. We will try to schedule you in a requested destination but that is no garantuee.
Schedule: There is no set schedule, you perform your tasks in consultation with the local team and the mentor of the project.
Requirements
At this project, volunteers will face all facets of business related duties in the coffee process. The goal is to increase coffee quality, marketing, sales, etc. which will benefit all plantation owners and laborers. It his projects different kind of entrepreneurs are welcome from marketeers to experts in world trade but also volunteers willing to work in the catering industry are welcome.
What do volunteers do?
Together with the cooperation of coffee producers you will organize following (non limitative) subjects in the coffee business.
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Quito
Schedule: There is no set schedule, you perform your tasks in consultation with the local team and the mentor of the project.
Requirements
Our scholarship program is there to help the less fotunate to have access to school and other services important in their daily life.
What do volunteers do?
Volunteers monitor progress with the sponsored children and report to their sponsors. Besides monitoring you also assist and inform the sponsored children and their families in following (non limitative) subjects:
Healthy behaviors:
Use of health services
Education
Empowering Children
Empowering kids means equipping them with the skills, knowledge and social responsibility that helps them become agents of change. To measure progress in this area, we use data collection and analysis to identify the percent of youth with the ability to voice their own opinion and those who actively participate as leaders and volunteers in their communities.
These intermediate steps help make that possible:
Employment
Our focus on employment means making sure the teens in our program have adequate marketable job skills and that they know how to enter the workforce. We measure the number of teens in our program who have:
Other information
Minimum: 4 weeks
Where: Otavalo
Schedule: There is no set schedule, you perform your tasks in consultation with the local team and the mentor of the project.
Requirements
Sandra is the local bookkeeper and is specialized in all coffee projects. She assist the local farmers with their tax issues. She is already active for over 10 years in our projects. Sandra is very dedicated and faithful in her work
Already active as board member for over 8 years. He is specialist in Philosophy, literature, teology, photography, analysis of moral behavior, politics. Fermin has a charismatic personality.
As textile engineer he is our specialist in artisan products, with main focus on textiles. He has a lot of knowledge about colonial history. Besides being an expert he has a big sense of humor. He works already for 6 years in the organization in Ecuador.
Active in the local organization for 6 years. He makes documentaries about general development in art, culture and agriculture. Jose is modest and very professional.
Already active for 6 year in our local the local board of directors. Clarita is a very wise woman, she also teaches literature at various Colombian universities.
Besides the board members mentioned above, we have an extensive team of coffee
producers, teachers and community leaders. It would become an endless
job if we introduce everybody on this page. The board members will
welcome you upon arrival and introduce you to the team with whom you
will cooperate.
When you volunteer in Ecuador you always stay at the office in Otavalo for your first two nights.
During the rest of your placement you stay in a single room in a homestay. All accommodations are selected for their safety. Volunteers are never placed in dangerous or unsafe areas. Water shortage can occur, but never for a long period. Facilities depend on where you stay. Sheets and towels are always provided by the host. There is hot water everywhere except in Nanegal; Nanegalito; Gualsaqui; Moraspungo & San Jose. Every homestay has a western toilet.
Some places might have WIFI available, but this is unreliable. Things can change suddenly, best is to arrange your own mobile internet (our team will help you with this).
Fieldwork
It could be possible that you have to do fieldwork for a couple of days, keep in mind that luxury is not always present. Tap water is only available in the cities; in the villages this is more exceptional. You will only find hot water in urban areas. In remote areas you may need to wash with a bowl filled with river water. Water can also be boiled on a wood fire in the remote areas.
All meals are the responsibility of the volunteer. Some accommodations have cooking facilities, others do not, The team managers will explain where to buy your groceries.
For around USD 7.5/day you can already eat in your homestay prepared by your local host. Except in Otavalo & Atuntaqui where the host is not preparing any meals but here you can use the kitchen.
Except for El Limonal & the Carchi province, you can easily eat in the city.
Otavalo is surrounded by volcanoes, Imbabura, Fuya Fuya, Cotacach where you can hike. In Otavalo you will be presented with the largest artisan market in South America every Saturday.
The most known tourist places in the area of Otavalo are:
There are also big festivals every year
Volunteering abroad does cost money and it is not our intention that the community you are going to help has to pay for this. If there was enough money to bear these costs, we would rather spend them on a local employees who understand the local culture and daily customs.
If you want to learn more about our transparent system, take a look at our transparency page.
These costs, which you pay on site, are related to your housing in Ecuador such. By paying locally, you are also sure that your contribution will end in Ecuador and will not stay behind at various “stations”. The cost for one week is 50 EURO.
What is included?
Probably there are other expenses that you have to keep in mind. Below a brief summary of the most common possible costs:
any projects require a continuity of volunteers to create impact and we want to ensure sufficient inflow of volunteers to keep every project viable. Unfortunately volunteer recruitment comes with a costs such as marketing. The fundraising done by the organizations in our alliance are exclusively used for development projects in the countries mentioned on this website.
The alliance fee serves to bear the costs of the alliance’s platform. We ask every participant a one-time alliance fee of € 130. This is a one-time contribution which you pay after being accepted for your first volunteer placement. After payment of this contribution you can do unlimited voluntary work in any project in the future (if there is availability and you meet the set requirements for that project).
As a member, we always inform you as soon as new projects are added in our alliance.
What is your alliance fee used for?
You can read more at our transparency page.
We will not let you leave without a thorough preparation. We have a detailed system, so you can sleep on both ears and leave with peace of mind. Once you have been accepted and everything has been put in order, you can count on the guidance of our experts.
As soon as you applied and you are accepted to volunteer we start with your preparation. You can already read a lot on this website, besides this we also prepare you through other channels. Once in the field you also can rely on our local team.
Volunteering abroad will have an impact on you but also on the local community. We think it’s very important, that you as a volunteer are aware about what to expect. So you can start prepared with your volunteering experience. When you are accepted as a volunteer and you confirmed from your side, you will receive the access codes for our secured volunteer page. At this page you can read all information which is important for your preparation, Such as information about your project, accommodation, How to apply for your visa, a packing list, a complete chapter about cultural differences and much more …
You will be assigned a mentor who you can contact for any help or needed advice. Our mentors are members of our alliance and have years of experience in the projects we support. This system ensures that you receive good guidance from VAA.
Your safety is very important to us. We only allow volunteers to travel to areas that are politically stable. If this is not the case, the project will not proceed. Every member of the alliance keeps a close eye on the security recommendations. Of course, we can also rely on the local employees of the projects. They live and work there themselves and know the area very well.
Ecuador has a highly changeable climate, which means that it can be variable at any time. Generally though, in the Sierra, there is little variation by day or by season, with changes occurring as you climb or descend instead. The coastal and Amazonian lowlands have a wet equatorial climate, but the higher you climb the colder it gets.
Rainfall is primarily aected by proximity to the eastern or western slopes of the Andes; in the west, June to September are drier with October to May typically wetter; in the east the opposite is true with October to February drier and March to September much wetter. There is also a variation in the amount of rainfall as you journey north to south, with the southern highlands much drier than the landscapes in the north.
The coast can be enjoyed all year round, although it is cooler between June and November, when a sea mist, known as garua, sets in. January to May are consistently the hottest and rainiest months here. The Galapagos are also aected by garua between May and December; January to April here are the hottest months, with heavy but brief rainfall also possible. In the Oriente you can be aected by rainfall at any time, but it is wettest from March to September. Most cities are located in a comfortable subtropical zone.
Every project has at least one permanent employee. This employee organizes your project and your stay together with the participating organization of our alliance. During your stay you can always connect with them; they are available for advice and practical information, but you can also count on them in case of an emergency.
Volunteers are welcomed at the international airport “Marescal Sucre Quito” (airport code: UIO). Upon welcoming at the airport we bring you to the office where you also will stay your first night to relax after a long flight.
The second day we provide an extensive orientation at the office and you will learn everything about the team that will guide you. The second night you will also stay at the office. The third day we will bring you to your project where we will introduce you to the local community.
In the past we had problems with sharing our operations address therefore we deliberately not share this information in advance. The organizations within our alliance take their duties seriously, our projects are not tourist attractions and we do not want uninvited guests to disturb our operations. Moreover, it is very disturbing for the local employees of our alliance but also for other volunteers if someone suddenly appears at the projects to take a look.
We are not doctors and we do not know your personal & medical background. That is why we advise everyone to make an appointment with your doctor or travel vaccination center before traveling to your destination. You can always take a look at the website of the WHO for the latest situation in Laos.
Every organization within our alliance has an emergency procedure and you also receive all emergency telephone numbers once accepted as a volunteer. You will find all this information on your personal project page, you will receive the code as soon as you are accepted as a volunteer and you completed your application.
You always enter Ecuador with a tourist visa which is valid for for 90 days. Your tourist visa can be extended up to 180 days. You will receive all information once you are accepted as a volunteer. Be aware that costs occur in case of extensions, . Our team will help you with your extension.
I you want a longer stay, up to 2 years, a visa that must be arranged at the consulate of Ecuador in your home country. The prices for this visa are regularly changed. Applying for this visa is a true administrative burden, so you need to start in time with this.
There is no typical day or script to follow – every day will be different and full of surprises. That is the beauty, but also challenge, of international volunteering. We expect you to understand this and be flexible, open and proactive at all times.
There are always new initiatives being launched and other volunteers looking for a helping hand. The projects are very dynamic and responsive to the community’s needs, and we encourage you to be flexible and willing to help wherever there is need. It is very likely that you will have the opportunity to work across multiple projects. Remember, the more you put into your experience, the more you will get out of it.
The principal language of Ecuador is Spanish, which is spoken by approximately 93% of the population. This language was first introduced by Spanish colonizers during the 16th century and became the language of government, business, and religion.
We have local team members, who speak: English, German and even Dutch. We do not require you to speak Spanish (English is sufficient) but be aware that communication with the local population might be difficult.
Our projects in Ecuador are a great opportunity that want to learn Spanish or improve their language skills.
All organizations active in the alliance take their work very seriously. From general preparations to details that you never imagined that they exist, but that are important to give you a safe, comfortable and meaningful experience. We invest a lot of time in preparing, following up and implementing our preparation materials, but also our projects on site. We hope that you, for your part, commit yourself 100% during your volunteer work and this is done in a respectful way for us, but even more so for the local community you are going to help.
Daily behavior when you volunteer in Ecuador
Our team members are already active for years in development aid so you can rely on years of experience.
We do not believe in voluntourism. Volunteers are not tourists. Volunteers expect to serve, tourists expect to be served.
Create a network of people and organizations to have a positive impact on disadvantaged communities.
Registered as a non-profit organization with a clear financial structure.
