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Project Description
This project is managed and run by a family with a non commercial idea. They are working with small local farmers in the process of converting conventional farms into Organic Agriculture in order to improve their quality of life and to stop the excessive use of chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

The project people work with 4 communities located in and around Perucho, a small village (70 km north west of Quito, 90 minutes by bus). Volunteers can share experiences with farmers and help them to implement practical improvements in their land.

Volunteer Activities
- Helping farmers in the implementation of Organic practices in their farms, such as: compost heaps, seedlings, wind breakers, pruning, ecological pest management, prevention of erosion, etc. according to the recommendations of the technician and the needs of the farmers
- Taking care of small animals such as guinea pigs, rabbits, chickens and hens
- Separation of waste in it origin, composting, earthworm breeding, ecological pest and weed management, water and soil management, soil fertility, crop rotations, harvest, post-harvest,
- Working together with farmers in the process of conversion to organic agriculture
- Teaching English and Computer basic skills in Primary School, only if volunteers have a long term commitment (9 months).
- Cooking and helping with dishes (not everyday)

Optional Activities on weekends:

- Trips to archeological sites, mountains, rivers and other towns.
- There are cultural events with traditional music in town or in Quito
- Every afternoon after work, volunteers can make pottery and crafts in our workshop


Volunteer Profile
To be part of the project does not require any previous experience or college education. It is imperative to have vocation and a strong interest in nature conservation and furthermore you must enjoy working outdoors and living a simple life. The more you speak Spanish, the more you interact with locals. We encourage volunteers to speak Spanish all the time, but farmers in general are very patient and will help you to have a good Spanish immersion.


Benefits for the Volunteer
- Volunteers will be trained on topics of organic agriculture and sustainable way of life.
- Have a cultural experience with local farmers sharing their lives and time together.
- Enjoy beautiful rural landscapes, mountains, rivers, archeological sites and more.
- Information exchange with other volunteers, visitors and locals
- Learn from a sustainable and peaceful lifestyle.

Public services near the project
There is a telephone booth in town from where you can call home at any time. You can receive phone calls from your homeland in the afternoons for free. 10 minutes from the Project there is a place with internet. There are two restaurants and a health center with a full-time doctor close to the project and in Quito (1 hour 30 minutes) you’ll find big hospitals and clinics. There is a soccer, volleyball, and basketball field in town and a cold swimming pool that might be quite warm during sunny days (almost always)

Accommodation
The project is able to host up to 8 volunteers in the house where the demonstrative farm is located. The house has 4 bedrooms with 2 to 4 beds each, 2 bathrooms with hot water, a clean and nice traditional kitchen, a dining room and a living room with table games, maps, books, magazines, a huge patio and a beautiful garden where they produce most of our food.

They are mostly vegetarian, but they don’t mind eating organic meat and fish. The food is fresh and organic; at the project serve 3 meals a day and all the fruits you can eat from the orchards.

The bedrooms are shared too and you can wash clothes by hand or pay a person in the village to do it for you.

The intention is that volunteers feel like family members and not as tourists or foreign.

The semi desert landscape is beautiful, they have telephone in the house and there is internet service 10 minutes away from the Project. There are 2 basic restaurants in town.

What should the volunteer bring with him?
• Insect repellent (40% DEET is recommended)
• Sunscreen
• Shampoo, first aid kit
• Flashlight
• Batteries / matches
• Water bottle
• Razor (Swiss army)
• rubber boots
• Rain coat
• warm clothes
• T-shirts with long sleeves
• Swimsuits
• walking shoes (Trekking)
• Cap
• sleeping bag
• Sandals
• Working Gloves
• Towel
• Camera -binoculars (optional)
• Sunglasses
• Books for reading in the afternoons
• Pen / markers

Duration
We recommend 3 weeks commitment, you can stay as long as you like. The volunteers will work about 38 hours per week. Operation hours in the draft are 07:00 am - 17:00 p.m. The project begins on Mondays. We are closed on December, except for long term volunteers that have already assigned activities.

Free Time
On weekends, volunteers have the option to do some tourist activities near the project such as trekking in mountains, going to rivers, water sources, mineral spa and waterfalls. They can also visit other villages and archaeological sites, with local guides.

Other sites of interest are the city of Otavalo with its traditional market which is located 40 km from the project, and then of course Quito, 70 km away, with all its cultural attractions; architectural, historical, culinary and nightlife. There are at least 8 tourist sites identified around the project that can be visited in half a day or a weekend. This kind of trips are arranged with local guides that usually get some tips from travelers.


Requirements
It is not necessary to have a higher education or working experience related to conservation activities. The most important thing is to have great interest in nature conservation and activities related to human development. A vital thing that the volunteer must have in mind for participation in this project is that all volunteers need to have an intermediate level of Spanish, because without this tool they will be unable to make a significant contribution. Volunteers must be able to engage in conversations and discussions in Spanish.
Arriving in Quito all non-Spanish-speaking volunteers must pass an exam in Spanish before going to the project.

COSTS:
Inscription Fee: 200 USD
Monthly Project Cost: 300 USD

If you are interested in this volunteer position please contact Francisco Pastor at info@ecuadorvolunteer.org or call ++ 593 2 2557749 or ++593 2 2226544 (Fax). You can also visit our webpage, http://www.ecuadorvolunteer.org