idealist.org

Our mission in Hacienda Tranquila is to offer activities and alternative projects that promote the participation of volunteers with the native community of the island. Our vision is to create sustainable projects and activities with local citizen participation, seeking to open more opportunities to enjoy the tranquility offered by the highlands for both tourists and residents of San Cristobal.



Program Description
The project receives technical support from the Charles Darwin Research Station, and activities will be allocated to each volunteer according to their abilities and interest in the project he or she chooses.



Volunteer Work Activities
Activities to be undertaken:

Reforestation:
1. Elimination of introduced plants.
2. Construction of new nurseries.
3. Maintenance of nurseries.
4. Cleaning area of reforestation and planting of trees.
5. Maintenance and care of trees and conservation area.
6. Trail maintenance.


School:
1. Teach English.
2. Working with teachers in the classroom environment.
3. Working with children in the organic garden and with animals from the Hacienda.
4. Organize trips for children to learn about the environment and ecology.



Community:
1. Working with the families of the area in the monitoring of introduced plants.
2. Collect fruit with families to bring to the dining room of the INNFA to share with less fortunate children.
3. Working with children in special hippo-therapy activities.


Volunteer Profile
We do not have a prototype: what is important is that volunteers are working to preserve the fragile place that is the Galapagos.


Services within the Project
The services that they have access to are: a house, kitchen, dining room, bathroom, hot water, electricity, and a place where they can wash their clothes.

Services near to the Project
The nearest health center is located in the sector's El Progreso, only 15 minutes, where volunteers can find small shops and the local library with free internet service.

Accommodation
The housing system is in shared rooms with 2 people per room. Volunteers have a kitchen that has everything needed to prepare their food, and a bathroom with hot water.

What does the Volunteer need to bring?
•Original passport.
•Camera or film.
•Insect repellent (NOT SPRAY).
•Towel.
•Flashlight.
•Batteries/ matches.
•Personal water bottle for the field.
•Day pack for the field.
•Sun screen lotion.
•Raingear, Windbreaker or sweater.
•Wellies/ rubber boots.
•Labor gloves.
•Biodegradable Shampoo, sunblock, first aid kit.
•Ecofriendly soap (wash clothes).
•Bathing suit.
•Sandals.
•Light clothes ( undershirts and trousers).
•Long sleeve shirts and t-shirts in colors like brown, green, blue, beige.
•Blouses or shirts.
•Separate pants for the field and the camp are recommended.
•Shorts / cotton socks, a pair per day.
•Trekking shoes & tennis shoes.
•Hat or Cap and sun glasses.
•Binoculars 10x42 and waterproof (optional, but highly recommended)
•Zip-loc bags for wet clothes or for items you do not want to get wet.
•Books.
Duration
The duration is one month usually and three months maximum.


Free Time
They can play Ecuadorian style volleyball, or they can participate in the activities of horseback riding or surfing that we are giving free.


Requirements
We require voluntary compliance with the rules of the house, especially to be respectful of their fellow volunteers.
They should also bring their personal documents and a picture for the file of Hacienda.
An intermediate level of Spanish is required. If the volunteer is not at this level, Ecuador Volunteer could help him/her to find the best program to improve their Spanish skills before starting the project.

COSTS:
Inscription Fee: 200 USD
Monthly 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