Volunteering
... is a wonderful way to get to know a community, participate in interesting and satisfying projects, and learn new skills...
Quotes from former volunteers
¨I had a great time with the Colibris (who were) incredibly warm and sweet… by the time I left I felt like we were all quite sad to say goodbye to each other.
They are also incredible cooks! I enjoyed my acquaintance with Marianitas too, it’s a charming little pueblo-lively and friendly and in a beautiful setting.¨
¨I really liked the location as it was so close to the walks in Maquipucuna
and there were several other interesting walks to do around the area.
… the accomodation at Cecilia's was excellent and she had a lovely family. The food was also excellent, well prepared and diverse, (and) there was LOADS of it.¨
Some of our projects
CRAFTS VOLUNTEERS
The Colibris need help with developing new, quality designs and products to expand their ranges of arts & crafts products. The ideal crafts volunteer will have some artistic ability and a basic level of Spanish. Skills in helping promote and sell the artwork would be a plus. A minimum commitment of 2-3 weeks is requested, and a longer stay is ideal.
ENGLISH CLASSES & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION
The Colibrís would like to improve their English skills, as well as the skills of their children. For the women, having basic English skills enables the group to better sell their arts & crafts products. The children also face better future educational and employment prospects with better English skills. Volunteer teachers also incorporate environmental education principles and nature appreciation in their classes, and take children on birding and other outdoor excursions.
Some basic Spanish skills would be helpful but are not necessary. Prior experience in teaching English or environmental education is not required, but enthusiasm and cultural respect are important.
ORGANIC GARDENING and REFORESTING
The Colibrís Women´s Cooperative would like assistance in developing organic gardens for themselves and the wider community. Volunteers would ideally have some experience with organic gardening, but an enthusiastic outlook, willingness to learn and cultural sensitivity are most important. The Colibris are also developing a tree nursery to serve as a source of native trees for reforesting local pastures and deforested areas.
A minimum commitment of about 4 weeks is requested for volunteers working in these areas. Basic Spanish language skills are desirable.
OTHER PROJECTS & RESEARCH
Gap year students are welcome, as are university students and researchers, who may propose their own projects in biology, conservation, community development, etc. For longer stays the group can offer rental of a private house with room for up to 6 persons.
GENERAL - COSTS & VOLUNTEER NORMS
Volunteers pay a nominal stipend to cover the cost of their stay and meals. A new option is the possibility of Spanish as second language classes in Marianitas, for an additional fee. For more information or to apply for a volunteer position, write: info@colibrisecuador.org
Visitor & Volunteer Norms - maximizing the positive value of your stay in the community
A volunteer stay in a community can be an extremely rewarding experience, in which one is able to do worthwhile work, while making good friends and getting to enjoy a unique and unforgettable natural setting. Anyone contemplating such a stay should be sure that their motivations are compatible with those of the community - i.e., to conserve their natural resources while protecting their community, and the integrity of its families and traditional values.
Visitors should be sensitive to and respectful of local community norms, and avoid behavior which might be considered acceptable at home, but which could be potentially damaging in a small, conservative rural third world setting. In particular, one should avoid actions which may be viewed as disrespectful to the community or its members, or which could form a negative impression of foreign visitors.
Respectful visitors will avoid for example excessive public consumption of alcohol, the use of illegal drugs, the wearing of very provocative clothing, or making any disparaging or insulting remarks about local customs or community members. Please think twice before giving gifts to individual community members - it is usually preferable to donate to the community as a whole to avoid jealousies or promoting begging or competition for visitor favors. And avoid the temptation of a vacation ´romance´- forming casual intimate relations with community members can undermine community moral standards, leave bad impressions of foreign visitors, and can be potentially very damaging to community health and family values.
Remember - a respectful volunteer visit can be the most rewarding experience of your lifetime, and one that may have a long-lasting positive impact on a community.
