Description:
Be part of it with i-to-i!
Our goal is to achieve 400yrs of combined volunteering all over the world by the end of 2008.
So far we have achieved 325yrs which when broken down means we achieved the following:
- Over 5500 children cared for on our community projects around the world
- A minimum of 13,000 children and adults taught English in schools and community centres
- Hundreds of animals protected including Turtles, Pandas, Elephants, Monkeys and more
- At least 80 homes and structures built for families and communities in need
- More than 8000 trees planted which are enough trees to offset the CO2 emissions of over 2,000 cars
Have you got your head in the clouds?
Like the mud you're going to get covered in on this project, Ecuador has a habit of getting under your skin and being hard to shake off. i-to-i is proud to work in collaboration with Rain Forest Concern on one of their flagship conservation and eco-tourism projects in the amazing cloud forests in the north west of the country. The smallest of the Andean countries, Ecuador certainly has a wide variety of wildlife. This area in particular is a global hotspot of diversity with over 1500 species of tropical plants, 380 species of bird as well as a variety of strange looking and even stranger sounding creatures straight out of Mother Nature's wildest imagination.
Find out more about i-to-i, watch their short video here: http://video.i-to-i.com/site-videos/video.html
Highlights:
What were the highlights of your trip that you couldn't wait to tell your friends about?
"I can't believe I've only been in Ecuador for 2 weeks because I've done so much already! The views here are wonderful and the pace of life is so relaxed." (Charlotte Law)
The Bosque Nublado Santa Lucia is a genuinely community based conservation and eco-tourism organization, located in the mountain forests of the Choco-Andean bio region of north western Ecuador. This area is a global 'hot spot' in terms of biodiversity with more than 380 species of birds in the Santa Lucia reserve alone, and an estimated variety of 45 exotic mammals including the coatimundis, pumas, and the endangered spectacled bear.
The area is a paradise for bird lovers, and includes several species which are endemic to the area, such as the Plate-billed Mountain Toucan and the Toucan Barbet. A wide range of tropical species such as parrots, cotingas, guans, ant birds and colourful tropical tanagers are regularly sighted. Santa Lucia is particularly well known for the variety of hummingbirds, including species like the Violet-tailed Sylph, Booted Racket-tail and Sparkling Violet-ear.
The Santa Lucia ecotourism project was established with the help of Rainforest Concern. The natural beauty and diversity of Santa Lucia's cloud forest makes ecotourism a logical choice to provide a sustainable source of income for the community. This income enables the community to continue to conserve the cloud forest under their care, while at the same time sharing its diverse treasures with others. Part of your fee goes towards the project which supports Rainforest Concerns aims to conserve and protect a number of threatened natural habitats throughout Ecuador.
Qualifications / Skills Needed:
Basic Spanish skills are necessary. General fitness and lots of enthusiasm is definitely needed for all the reserves. Volunteers also need to be ready to take on any tasks that may be required of them, and to get dirty in the process!
Language:
English
Cost in US$: $2120.00 for 2 weeks, $375.00 for every week thereafter
Cost Includes:
Food,
Housing,
In-country orientation/Training,
In-country staff support,
Registration fees
and Written materials pre-departure
When you go on an i-to-i Venture we want you to have the best possible time abroad, so we include these important services.
Before you depart we offer:
- detailed information on your project and country
- fundraising advice and support
- visa instructions
- vaccination recommendations
- advice on health, safety & culture shock
- English teacher training course (TEFL)
- contact details to pass along to your family
When you arrive we provide:
- pick-up from the airport on the designated arrival date
- welcome orientation
- accommodation and food
- well-researched, quality placement
- support of in-country i-to-i team
You will always have:
- access to our emergency support team 24/7
- assistance of the global i-to-i staff
- guidance and advice from experienced i-to-i travelers
Experience Required: no
Typical Volunteer Projects:
agriculture,
biological research,
conservation,
eco-tourism,
environment,
gardening,
organic farming,
planting,
reforestation
and tree planting
Typical Volunteer: If you are interested in immersing yourself in another culture while giving your time to a worthy cause, then you are a typical i-to-i volunteer. We invite you to join the i-to-i community of dedicated volunteers aged 18-80 who are working on community development, building, teaching, and conservation projects across the globe. Together, we make a lasting impact that changes lives and helps preserve the planet through hundreds of worthwhile projects around the world.
Age Range: 18-80
This Program is open to
World Wide
Participants.
This Program is also open to
Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangement:
Other
Participants Travel to Ecuador
Independently
Typically Participants Work
Independently
Or
in Groups of 3
Application Process Involves:
Post Services Include:
i-to-i Meaningful Travel's Mission Statement: Founded in 1994, i-to-i is an award-winning organization providing unique opportunities for you to travel, work and live abroad. Thousands of travelers aged 18 to 80 have joined our volunteer vacations and over 15,000 have learned to Teach English as a Foreign Language through our tailor-made TEFL courses.
With over 300 projects on 4 continents, you can join the worldwide i-to-i volunteer community on an extended adventure in areas such as teaching, community development, sports coaching, conservation, building or internships in tourism, marketing, journalism, or health.
Year Founded: 1994