Volunteer in an indigenous community in the mountains of Ecuador.  Live with a host family and experience local culture first-hand.  Share your energy and skills with the community, working in either education or health.  Offer English or math classes for our scholarship students and friends or assist nurses and doctors in a rural health center.  Participate in community work days to improve the village water system, community center, or facilities. Meet traditional healers, indigenous leaders, students, and families.  Hike to alpine lakes, waterfalls, and sacred sites with your new friends.

You should have the ability to hold a basic conversation in Spanish and a desire to make new friends and learn about Otavaleno culture.  Specific teaching or health care credentials are not necessary.

"What I can say about my time volunteering this summer is that the generosity I experienced was more than I hoped for or deserved.  While working in Gualsaqui­, Ecuador, I may have taken a few blood pressures and temperatures, filed some charts, and vaccinated a few dogs for rabies, but most importantly, meaningful relationships were established that will be with me the rest of my life."     -- Laura, summer 2007 volunteer

Itinerary:
June 25: Arrive in Quito and travel to Otavalo
June 26-30: Orientation.  Stay in a hostel in Otavalo with the group of volunteers and coordinators.  Learn about local culture and idioms, prepare classes or brush up on health care skills.  Experience Inti Raymi festivities and explore the Otavalo market and surrounding area.
July 1: Move in with your host family
July 2 - July 30: Volunteer work and homestay.  Work with other volunteers to give vacation English classes to students or work with local nurses and doctors in a rural health center.  Spend time with your host family and friends in the community.  Help harvest corn and bake bread with its flour.  Visit interesting sites in the area and participate in community activities, such as work days to improve the village infrastructure.
July 31 - Aug. 6: Travel to the Amazon rainforest with your group.  Explore the jungle and go whitewater rafting.  Prepare for re-entry into your home life.
Aug. 7: Fly from Quito back to the United States, or travel on your own

Cost: $1850 does not include airfare but does include food, lodging, activities, supplies, and transportation within Ecuador.

See a map of the Otavalo area

"It was a wonderful experience; I learned about her culture and her language.  We shared so many experiences together.  I was her guide and we went to tourist sites, traditional festivals, to my university, etc.  We were very sad when she left, but she said she would come back; for me she is another sister."