Here are some comments from customers who have already been to Ecuador with i-to-i:
Ecuador - Conservation:"My first placement in Ecuador was in the Galapagos Islands, at the Jatun Sacha biological reserve in the San Cristobal highlands. The Galapagos Islands are so incredible and it was fascinating being there; I would recommend to anyone that whilst in Ecuador you should make the effort to visit the islands, because there is so much to see - you know you are in a unique place when you get used to the sight of Giant Tortoises!
The station itself is in the highlands and is quite cold, but the main reason you would want to cover up is because of the flies! Bring high-strength insect repellent, long-sleeved tops and make sure that your lower back doesn't show, as this is nearly always the area that gets bitten! There are plenty of facemasks and Wellington boots at the station, so you don't need to buy your own in Quito.
The work is really satisfying - the main project is clearing invasive species from the forest and planting endemic plants in their place. It is slow work and it is better to focus on the short-term achievements rather than the long-term ones; it will take a long time to clear the whole forest of invasive species, but it is satisfying to see the corridor of work getting vaster and vaster as your placement goes on. Other work includes tending to the nursery and the gardens, where the station grows most of its own vegetables and fruit.
The atmosphere is really nice and the food, excellent! As the station has no electricity, it is amazing what the cook, Rigley, could do with no refrigeration. All the staff are really helpful and eager to solve any problems you might have or answer questions. The weekends are spent in the town, about 45 minutes away from the station and there are plenty of activities to do there, including day tours around San Cristobal and to other islands.
My second placement was in the rainforest, at the Jatun Sacha reserve about an hour by bus away from Tena. Here, the weather was really humid (be prepared for your bags to mould!), but you adapt very quickly. The work is mainly in either the organic farm (clearing beds, planting seeds, etc.) or in the botanical gardens, where there are labelled trees and plants and local children sometimes come here to be taught about the medicinal purposes of plants. Again, it is maintenance here, clearing areas for projects, weeding, planting, and clearing leaves and so on. There is also a lot of leisure time; Saturdays are 'bosque' day, where you go for a hike in the forest and the guides tell you about medical uses of plants, which they believe in very strongly. On Sundays you spend the day being taught local crafts and then you can take two days a week off, though few people actually do take so much time off.
I would recommend you bring a lot of socks, because things rarely dry, due to the moisture in the air and the humidity. Also, if you are scared of insects, you may want to harden yourself before you arrive here - the insects are massive, but harmless! In both placements the accommodation is basic, but more than ample, particularly in the jungle, where there is a phone and Internet facilities!
I really enjoyed both of my projects and it is brilliant to be able to experience a country such as Ecuador, whilst simultaneously doing something for the environment. "
Heather Richardson, Conservation work in Ecuador
"I worked as a volunteer with i-to-i for four weeks. The place was the beautiful and diverse Galapagos Islands outside Ecuador.
To begin with, the islands are just amazing! Animals everywhere and you can get so close to them. Plus they're either funny looking, scary, majestic or colourful. Combinations are the most common, and if you like photography like me, you won't be disappointed.
I will try to describe for you what a typical week would look like as a volunteer at the Jatun Sacha Station in San Cristobal. After you've been met up by station volunteers at arrival, you will get a short introduction at the station. The first day of work might be quite hard due to heat and the relatively hard physical labour. You will get used to it after only a few days. Common work assignments include collecting seeds and fruits, digging, preparing soil, planting, watering, removal of weeds and invasive plants with a machete, carrying things helping out in the kitchen.
For me, the day started with breakfast at 7 am and one hour later the first good work began. At 10, we had a 30 min break. Work again and then a two hour lunch, perfect to stay away from the sun when it's the strongest, taking a nap or washing clothes. In the afternoon we had another 30 min break and finished work at 4 pm. After that you could visit a nearby beach, volleyball field, waterfall or bar. Or just relax in a hammock with a book. Whatever you desire. After dinner, playing cards and writing diary suited me.
Fridays are all about getting knowledge about the islands through hikes arranged by the staff. You start in the morning and get back in the afternoon, eating lunch on the road (sandwiches and fruits). You will see things tourists won't see and learn lot's of details about plants and animals. Plus you will see the real islands, with the problems and how the locals live. At weekends, almost everyone takes the taxi to town (Puerto Baquerizo Moreno) to get some "city life" and to get a break from all insects.
The work at the station is directly or indirectly about creating a corridor with native and endemic plants only and to study what difference that makes to do fauna. When knowing that, you feel that what you do is very important and rewarding. I liked the simple life at the station, close to the nature and the lack of electricity and other facilities that we take for granted wasn't anything I missed at all. The islands have suffered a lot from introduced wildlife, which makes life so hard for the native species. To contribute to studies of the native wildlife was really something special and something that I wouldn't want to have undone.
To be a volunteer at the Jatun Sacha station is also a big social experience. You work, eat, sleep and share your spare time close to each other and everyone's open and make sure that all individuals feels at home. You will make good friends during your stay. For those of you that haven't travelled that much and would like to work as a volunteer, I can indeed recommend to go through i-to-i. You will never feel that you're not being taken care of or that you are lost and left on your own. Things are run very professional and smooth. Don't hesitate to contact them about any issue.
For me, the four weeks of volunteering, was just right. I also wanted to travel around on the islands and to see both sides of the archipelago made the experience so much richer. I started by working and got to see and hear about all the ecological problems in the archipelago. After that I got to become familiar with the tourist side of the islands and get sweeped away by the enormous diversity of the flora and especially fauna. Things that you really must have with you:
- Find yourself the best mosquito net and repellent on the market before going to San Cristobal. Trust me.
- Some knee pads are useful, since a lot of the work is performed in your knees.
- Hiking boots, camera, sun hat, a complete setup of sun block, head torch and long sleeved and thin shirts and trousers are all musts.
Other things you shuold know:
- It's really worth it, to take a boat cruise over a few days around the archipelago. It's rather pricey, but the experience can't be compared with anything else concerning wildlife. I-to-i can help you with finding a nice boat, or you can search on your own.
- There's no electricity at the station. However, at a bar five minutes walk from it, there's a bar, where you can charge batteries etc.
- Working at this station DOES NOT involve any direct work with the animals on the island, indirectly though. It's all about agriculture and reforestation.
- They serve a lot and delicious Ecuadorian food at the station. You don't have to be worried about being hungry. If you would like to contact me - just do it!"
Robin Karlsson, Conservation work on the Galapagos Islands
"Just freshly arrived back from Ecuador. I've had a wonderful time and learnt many new things. Bilma and the family were great, like a second mum! and I love her food. In the project description it said that the food was simple but nutritous, I disagree the food is amazing and nutritous and Bilma hardly ever cooks the same thing twice. I would like to go back to Ecuador in the future and see how the kids from the school are getting on."
Ryan McGovern, Teach English in rural Ecuador
"Nice to hear from you and everything is going well here. The family I am staying with are so friendly and welcoming it is like home from home and they keep feeding me great food and keep giving me new delicious fruit all the time - they are wonderful! The teaching is going well and today I used finger puppets to teach the younger group about animals and then we planted sunflowers in plant pots at the centre. The arrangements are fine and I keep up to date with our in country coordinator Gaby. I have a lot of my free time taken up with traveling to different areas outside Quito and catching up with friends who are currently traveling - so enjoying myself."
Melodie Williams, Teach English in Quito, Ecuador
"So far the football is going great, no problems at all and I think los chico love me being there."
Andrew Morrison, Sports: Coach soccer in Quito, Ecuador
"It is going really well so far! I am having a great time and have met some wonderful people. Santa Lucia is absolutely beautiful and I would recommend it to anyone looking for great views and a relaxing week. The work we have been doing is fairly difficult but it feels good to work hard. I can't believe I have already been in Ecuador for 2 weeks! Time flies."
Charlotte Law, Cloud forest conservation with 'Rainforest Concern' in Ecuador
"I spent five weeks working for a non-profit organisation in the southern part of the capital, Quito. The organisation provides a variety of support services to working children and their families to help them rise out the grinding poverty which unfortunately continues to exist throughout Ecuador. The outreach programme that I worked for maintains a connection with the local communities, and focuses on sending volunteers out to various markets within the locale to encourage children to get some formal education and to provide hope to families living in conditions of extreme poverty.
On my first day, I turned up at the centre somewhat apprehensive about my forthcoming role - the whole reason why I'd come to Ecuador in the first place. All these anxious feelings disappeared the second a stranger, more specifically a 4-year-old girl, stopped me on the stairs and grabbed me for a hug!! I had no idea who she was, but she certainly made me feel more at ease.
My assigned market was La Mayorista which is the biggest fruit and vegetable market in the city. I had been forewarned that this particular market was for people who were "prepared to get very dirty". Excellent!! So after being assigned to a market, I met my fellow volunteers and we set off on our mission to make a difference.
After a short bus ride, we arrived at the market. We dropped the bags off at our specified puesto (stall) and walked up and down the lanes riddled with small mountains of discarded fruit and veg, collecting the kids that wanted to play, or more specifically, that were allowed to. My initial reaction was one of horror seeing the state of the grotty market and small, filthy children ambling around in amongst the chaos of cyclos, trucks and vans, with no-one showing concern for these children's safety. This feeling quickly turned into dismay when I learnt that some of the families actually live in the market, and their stall, some merely polystyrene walls and a few wooden slats, is their home. How they manage to live in such dire conditions is still beyond me. Yet again, for the second time that day, I was inundated with hugs, kisses and smiles from unknown children who wanted to get away from their working environment and actually be allowed to be kids for a few precious hours.
I really felt sorry for the poor wee things. We took them back to our puesto and sang songs, played games, coloured in pictures, read them stories and played with toys. We even tried to teach some of them basic things like being able to write their own names and count to 10 in their own language. Due to their lack of formal education these children receive (generally their parents' decisions), they miss out on learning simple basic habits and skills like these which I take for granted.
Throughout all these basic learning activities, the children were constantly excited and having fun. However, the part for me that left the greatest impression was the personal hygiene aspect of the morning. I have never seen anybody, especially not a child, get so excited about brushing their teeth as these children did. At home they are lucky if they get to brush their teeth once a week and, seeing as some don't come every day, holding a toothbrush, tasting toothpaste and having a fresh mouth is a real novelty. Not only that, but they try their hardest to be the first in line to get the soap to wash their hands and faces and to put on some moisturising cream. It was very sad to see all these lovely children turn up with their grubby, dirty hands, faces and clothes but, at the same time, so rewarding to see that they enjoyed the activities, love and attention we showed them that most of them don't get with their families. Some of the parents didn't even batter an eyelid when we dropped their child home. However, it was great to be shown some appreciation for our work when, on my first day, an elderly lady stood watching and smiling at us from a distance for ages, before finally, whilst leaving, walking past me to comment on what good work she thought us gringos were doing.
So every morning I'd leave the market absolutely filthy from head to toe. I couldn't stop thinking about all the many small things I really take for granted but that the kiddies there get so excited about. At least I could walk away with the satisfaction that I gave some underprivileged children an opportunity to be a child for a few hours and to have some fun and loving-care. And everyday, I couldn't wait to go back to see them again. There was nothing I would change about my Ecuadorian experience, so-much-so that I'm already planning my return. But this time, I'm definitely staying for longer."
Madeleine, Community work with children in Quito, Ecuador
"From the first day I arrived at the Jardin, I knew I was going to enjoy the experience. The teacher was very welcoming and the children are very affectionate. I was working with four and five year old children. A typical day would start at 8 am with the children having hot chocolate and biscuits in the kitchen. The children would then form lines outside the classroom and start the day with some songs. I would join in with the actions and try and learn as many words as I could! We would then go into the classroom to do some work. The children have a book they are obliged to work through, which forms the curriculum. They also do colouring, make things, cut things out and practise writing.
I would go around the class helping children do these tasks. As with any school, some children need a lot more help than others. They really like you to watch them do their work for a bit and it is important to offer plenty of encouragement. It is very satisfying when a child is suddenly able to write an 'e`. The children will then tend to play for an hour. This is the time to join in with some football, chase them around, pick them up and generally have fun. They would then generally finish the day with half an hour of more work before going home at 12. They were set homework daily. I produced some worksheets for the children which the teachers really appreciate. For example, I did a worksheet with 'a` as the letter of choice. The children had to copy the letter in capitals and lower case to practise their writing then there were some items to colour in with the words in English and Spanish. I watched what and how the teacher taught for a while and the activities they did before deciding on what would be appropriate.
There were a few things that were quite different than schools in England:
- The children are far more affectionate and it is ok to have plenty of cuddles.
- Children crying do not get much attention. You check that they're alright, give them a hug and then encourage them to get over it. It is very effective.
- Children use scissors and pins without anyone worrying.
- The teachers often do not spend a lot of time with the children that need it but like to encourage those who already find the work relatively easy.
- A lot of the children appear to have learning difficulties but these are not really recognised here.
It is often difficult to find the right balance between playing with the children and disciplining them. One thing to remember is that the teachers are very suspicious of any behaviour that may lead to them having a more difficult job when the volunteer leaves. During working hours, I would reinforce to the children that this was time to work and there would be no playing up. However, at playtime, that's when you can relax and have some fun. The other thing to remember is that your idea of coming here to change these children's lives is unrealistic. The impact you will make during your time here is minimal. However, small impacts you make, such as teaching the children how to write letters, how to say the numbers in English, or making them smile, is very worthwhile. The time goes very quickly so enjoy it all. Some days were hard as the children are very lively and it can be draining if you do not feel 100% and some days they can push your patience to the limit but I have had a fantastic time here and I am so glad I did this. "
Debbie Platts, Community work with children in rural Ecuador
"The endless obstacles I seem to face during my project, including the language barrier, healthcare system and adapting to totally different working conditions meant that my two and a half months in Quito were some of the most difficult I can remember. However, the satisfaction of helping to make the changes I did and to lighten Nancy's workload made those months some of the wonderful that I will never forget."
Becky Hester, Health work experience in Quito for children with cancer
"After my first week at the clinic in Lucha de Los Pobres, I'm finding that I am really enjoying myself and the work that I get to do there. I've been working mostly by helping Dra. Vasconez with vision exams, taking, height and weight measurements and of course helping with maintaining the archives. Everyone I work with is really welcoming and helpful and I love the patients and their families. "
Marian Conaty, Health work experience in Quito
"We are doing really well. Jatun Sacha is very beautiful. Its hard physical work, but we're learning a lot of things. So far, we've learnt about several endemic species, helped plant several plants, and also learnt how to make bracelets. Its been very interesting. On the weekend, we took a day off to go whitewater rafting with andrew and vicky. That was a lot of fun as well. Unfortunately, the bus company is still on strike, so we have no way to get to Tena except hitchhiking or taxi. So we don't go to Tena that often. The days are going by very fast. I can't believe that half of my trip is over already. I look forward to coming back to Quito and visiting some of the places nearby. That's it for now. Thank you for your help."
Sharath and Radhika Voleti, Amazon rainforest preservation in Ecuador
"We are both amazed at the wild animals, frogs, monkeys, birds, insects, butterflies, birds that we are seeing - i saw a giant otter by the lake and another volunteer found a triangular biggest spider i have ever seen!!! Roseseta cooks great food for us and we are well lucky to have internet most evenings. thanks again for all your help Jane and Becca - we worked last week end i think this weekend we may visit some waterfalls near by but we will be back in time for Roseseta's super!!!"
Jane White, Animal wildlife rescue in Guayaquil, Ecuador
"Gaby Cadena in Ecuador provided excellent support - she was always available if needed and always warm and friendly. I have thoroughly enjoyed my placement in Ecuador and I gutted that it's over…"
Ann Ratcliffe, Teach English to youngsters in Quito, Ecuador
"Again thanks a million for all this and everything else - I´m currently in the Glapagos a week now, and I have to say I absolutely LOVE IT HERE! I just wanted to add that I had an absolutely amazing time at Hacienda Jambeli, and working with the animals there. All the people there were very welcoming (and patient too despite my poor spanish!), and a special mention and thanks to Geovanni and Rositta that work there. Rafaela as well was very nice, and often went out of her way to make us feel welcome, both at the centre and in Guayaquil."
Martin Oakes, Conservation work in Ecuador
"The trip is going great so far. I'm loving Jambeli and the staff there are all wonderful!!! I'm very thankful for this trip and my time here. I'm learning so much and enjoying everything."
Laura Kessler, Animal wildlife rescue in Guayaquil, Ecuador
