Help to create a sustainable Galapagos

Program Description

This is a volunteering project on the San Cristobal Island, founded in 2004. Its mission is to improve the environmental and social situation of the Galapagos. You as a volunteer could become a part of it and help to translate this mission into action. The foundation offers different projects to volunteers. All of those projects are within the scope of environment and community. They are focused on different tasks, such as:

Reforestation: Help to restore native and endemic forests

Carbon sequestration: Help to plant more than 750 trees and realize the capture of 191 tons of CO2 from the atmosphere each year

Working with Children: Take care of local children and help to give them environmental education.

Hippo Therapy: Assist in therapeutically horseback riding lessons and help handicapped children.

Agriculture: Help to recover abandoned farms of local families, so that they can supply with organic products and increase the local production of fresh fruits and vegetables.

Community water access: Maintenance of the eight kilometers long pipeline which provides clean water for the community.

Self and Community-Sustainability: The volunteers maintain their own organic garden, milk their own cows, and grow, dry and roast their own coffee. They produce more than they consume, so they donate the remainder to INFA.

Highlights

Immersion into local culture
Lend a hand to people in need, or protect local environments
Improve your language skills
Build up your CV with meaningful work experience
Share your own culture with others
Master your understanding of local customs
Build new friendships

Qualifications

Willingness, discipline and responsibility are required. Basic Spanish knowledge is advantageous, but not required. minimum 18 years of age
Minimum 1 week commitment to your project
A volunteer visa if you plan to stay for longer than 3 months
interest and passion for local culture
A monthly fee for food and accommodation and an application payment, which varies depending on the organization you volunteer with.
Intermediate language level (B1) of Spanish or higher
international health insurance, including liability and accident insurance
A completed Experience Report of at least 500 words upon completion of your volunteering project in Ecuador and and the right to publish it online.

Volunteer Types

What`s Included

Placement with a great partner organization
Pre-trip welcome package
Orientation meeting in Quito
Accompaniment from the school to the project on your first day
Access 24-hour emergency hotline
Free afternoon activities
Visa assistance
Certificate to recognise your participation as a volunteer in Ecuador
Personalized assistance to help you find accommodation in Quito and beyond