General Info

Eco Volunteer UP is nonprofit organization composed of a group of Ecuadorians who work through volunteers to conserve the forests of Ecuador, to improve the communities’ economies and to give Ecuadorian children a better life.

While all countries around the world are concerned about the global crisis, we continue helping our community and environment. If you want to save money, have great fun and help our people and environment, attend our volunteer programs. In Ecuador / Latin America, our volunteer projects are located in the cultural city of Quito, Galapagos, Amazon, Andes, Coast
, Cloud Forest....
If you are planning to explore the real cultural and natural beauty of Ecuador, why not start your adventure by joining one of our voluntary positions, Spanish lessons, village hiking expeditions, or sightseeing of some of the cultural wonders of Ecuador. Eco-Volunteer UP offers you unique opportunities to explore the great land of Ecuador while working for children and people in teaching, orphanage projects, health, forest placements with its flora, fauna and other community development projects.
Ecuador gives the people a mega bio-diversity and a chance for great adventures in the mountains, volcanoes, jungle, white beaches and exotic islands. It is a small country with a rich culture, history and friendly people.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN QUITO
Quito, capital of Ecuador, has colonial treasures such as churches with woodcarvings, paintings and sculptures more than six centuries old. Quito was declared the first Cultural Heritage site in South America by UNESCO in 1978. Many Ecuadorians live in extreme poverty which strains every aspect of survival. There are parents who are unable to provide the basics for the families, including housing, food and healthcare. These factors play a significant role in the rise in the number of street children, who attempt to survive by shining shoes, peddling, collecting garbage and begging. Prostitution is also on the rise as many young girls see this as their only means of survival. This adds to the number of teenage mothers living on the streets perpetuating this life of poverty. Volunteers are needed to work with the increasing number of street children. Simple things like offering basic healthcare, food and friendship are seen as critical factors needed to change this growing statistic.
Volunteer projects: orphanage, elderly and day care, medical, children with disabilities, English teaching and young mothers.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN GALAPAGOS
Galapagos project , this volunteer opportunity is situated on a farm with 50 hectare plot of land located in the tiny 15 family farming community on the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos.
Volunteer project: reforestation and farming

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN CLOUD FOREST
The volunteer programmers in the Cloud Forest is located in villages close to Mindo and Otavalo, with 350 species of birds.
Cloud Forest Reserves offer the worlds richest bird bio-diversity, unexplored wilderness, natural and archaeological remains, and vibrant landscapes with 80% native forest and 20% organic farmland for the milking of the cows. It is a small place with 200 inhabitants; they came from other towns to this area for better conditions of life. The community was dedicated to cultivating sugar cane, raising cattle, to craft and to exploitation of woods. People of the town are very friendly and helpful. They have a little school, a communal meeting and a church; most of the community is catholic.
The Yumbos culture lived in the northwestern from 13th to 16th centuries. One of the archaeological remnants of this culture are the “Yumbos” pool (located in Tulipe town at 9km in one of projects).
Volunteer Projects:conservation, environmental, community and English teaching.

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS IN THE AMAZON
About 110 km from Baños, the Rainforest Reserve is situated at the foothills of the Andes, in one of the world’s biodiversity hotspots.
This volunteer opportunity is for people who want to actively engage in the Amazon community and to help the local people increase ecotourism activities. Living within one of the indigenous communities of the Rain Forest, volunteers will met and share experiences with a local community, who are among best organized indigenous people in the Amazon basin. Volunteers will participate in the traditional farming activities such growing and harvesting of plantain, bananas, yucca, sweet potato, maize, pineapple, and chilis. Volunteers will improve the nutritional value of the local diet by establishing a community orchard and vegetable garden, and by collecting traditional jungle food (herbs, fruits, larvae, etc). Volunteers can pursue optional activities within the local community, such as sports, elaboration of craft skills, and social events.
The rescue and rehabilitation Centre is based in the Ecuadorian rainforest, just where The Andes and the Amazon rainforest join together. This intersection of biomes creates one of the most diverse places in the world for Biology and Ecology study. The Centre works with the Environmental Police (UPMA) and the Ministry of Environment in the fight against animal abuse and trafficking (poaching). The Centre relies upon the hard work and financial support of volunteers from all around the world.
Volunteer projects: day care, communiy, conservation, English teaching and Wild animal rescue center

VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS ON THE COAST
The National Park beaches, in Manabí, are considered some of the last nesting areas for sea turtles in Ecuador.
Even though the number of sea turtles which migrate yearly to the coast is low compared to other areas of the world, it is very important to evaluate and protect the nests of these animals. Nesting season starts by the end of January. Daily visits to the main beaches of the area are required in order to identify nests and protect them.
Also, sea turtles nesting in the area will be tagged with tags provided by NOAA La Jolla (tagging will be supervised at all times). Once the nesting season is over, volunteers will start diving to observe sea turtles and try to identify markings on individual animals. Diving activities will also attempt additional new tag deployments. Using tested methods, project participants will capture turtles, collect measurements and samples, and to apply fin tags.
Volunteer projects: conservation, English teaching, community and marine conservation.

GROUP AND FAMILY VOLUNTEER VACATION
Eco-Volunteer UP Foundation welcomes families and friends who would like to volunteer together.
Volunteering in Latin American as a family, or even as a group of friends or co-workers, can be one of the most wonderful and gratifying experiences of your life. We have a range of programs that combine volunteering and sightseeing opportunities in some of the most popular destinations around Ecuador.
As a family volunteering, your children can discover parts of the world they would probably never learn about at school. Our programs allow for a unique, in-depth look at a foreign land that is just not possible on a typical vacation.
As a group, your classroom, club, or co-workers, can have one of the most incredibly rewarding experiences as together you learn about and experience life and culture in another land. This is an amazing opportunity to bond as you do something completely different and out of the ordinary.
Our volunteering programs are suitable for family or groups from all areas of society: college students on a summer break, students from a class or university department, sports teams, work colleagues or even groups of friends looking for a truly original volunteer experience!
The programs we offer range in length from a one week stay to 12 weeks, depending on the time you have available and project that you would like to participate in.
Many of the projects can accommodate groups of various sizes. Please don't hesitate to contact us so that we can match your group's size with the right opportunity. Please also inquire about opportunities that include volunteer work and the chance to travel.