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This project is located in the province of Pastaza near the city of Puyo. Santa Ana is an indigenous community of scarce resources. The families live in houses built by them. The houses are made out of bamboo or wood with roofs of leaf or aluminum and some do not even have basic services, like electricity, water or gas to cook. Some of the families live in houses with only 2 rooms, regardless the number of members (sometimes up to 10 people).

Program Description
The objective of this project is to benefit to the families with the optimization of their houses, whether the need reconstruction or expansion. Some of the houses are in bad shape, that’s why it is necessary to give them maintenance. Other houses simply lack of sufficient space so that the family can live in good conditions.
The construction of the house is financed by the volunteer, because most of the money will be destined to the purchase of the materials for the house. The volunteer, the family and other members of the community will cooperate for the construction doing mingas (work meetings) in which the rest of the materials will be obtained (wood and leaves for the ceilings).

Volunteer Work Activities
The volunteers will participate in activities like:
- Purchase of tools and materials for the construction.
- Planning of the construction.
- Mingas for the withdrawal of other materials.
- Construction.
The volunteer will receive training by the people who coordinate the project for the accomplishment and planning of this work.

Volunteer Profile
You do not need previous experience to work in this proyect. It is essential to have a vocation and great interest in helping the poorest people.
The minimum age for the volunteers is 18 years old, in case of coming alone. If a family is interested in participating in this work, there is no age limit for kids or teenagers since they will be under the care of his parents.

Services near the project
Internet, telephone cabins, restaurants, travel agencies, health, etc., are in the city of Puyo (an hour and a half from the community), although there are also health centers in near communities and soon there will be one in Santa Ana.

Accommodation
The lodging will be in the house of the family where the project will be realized. The food is included.

What should the volunteer bring?
• Bugspray-ecofriendly (malaria does not exist in the area but there are mosquitoes which can be annoying)
• Towel
• Flashlight
• Batteries
• Raincoat
• Wellies/ rubber boots – can be bough much cheaper in Ecuador
• Work gloves
• Shampoo, sunblock,
• first aid kit
• Ecofriendly soap (to wash clothes)
• Bathing suit
• Sandals
• Light clothes ( undershirts and trousers)
• Long sleeves shirts, and t-shirts in dark colors
• Blouses or shirts
• Trekking shoes
• Cap or hat
• Camera-binoculars
• sunglases
• Small bags (for the rubbish)
• Sleeping bag
• Books

Duration
The reconstruction time of the house is of one month, from Monday through Friday.

Free Time
The Volunteers don't have to work on the weekends and they are welcome to use this free time for themselves. They will have time to relax, go to the rivers, read, talk to local people, or travel to areas near Puyo to use the internet cafes and telephones.

Requirements
The volunteers must bear in mind that at least intermediate Spanish skills are vital for their participation in this project, because without this tool the volunteer will be unable of making 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. The people of the community onlz speak Spanish, Kichwa, Shuar, Achuar and Zaparo.

Costs:
Inscription Fee: 200 USD
Monthly cost of Project : 360 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