Volunteering in Ecuador can be done in a variety of fields. Whether you have a background in anthropology, biology, marketing, medicine or are just interested in learning more about Ecuador, there is a place for you to volunteer.

The following qualities can be very useful when volunteering in Ecuador: 

• ready to turn their hand to a variety of possible activities

• flexible in their approach to spending time on a project

• ready to take the initiative when it is necessary to develop an activity for themselves

• open and ready to share their lives and experiences with other members involved in the project as a form of cultural exchange

• willing to experience the lifestyle and conditions of a very different culture

• patient and realistic in their expectations of what they can achieve

• alert to their own reactions to their visit to a community, and able to think about how to communicate these effectively as a form of education for the other project members

• able to think creatively and sensibly about the possibilities for development of the project

Long term volunteering is prefered

Volunteering organisations usually prefer long term volunteers. It may takes some time to get comfortable in a new environment and really know what your responsibilities are. You might need some time to get to know the other people involved in the project.

For an organisation it is also very important to have continuity for a project. So if you are choosing between two short periods in different projects or commiting yourself to just one project for a longer period of time, pick the single project to make a bigger difference.

Small projects are available, but they're harder to find and volunteers may need specific qualifications in order to be accepted.  If you are interested in short term projects, Quito is a great place to find social projects that don't need a long term commitment. Just look through our database to find the right project.