High in the Andes mountains, immerse yourself in the life of rural Ecuador. During your time in the community, you might learn to harvest potatoes alongside your host dad or help your host sister milk the family's cows. Throughout the summer, volunteer alongside Ecuadorian volunteers to develop and support entrepreneurship and community development initiatives.
Length Requirements Dates Ages Application
Deadline
Price
Ecuador: Chimborazo 6 Weeks

Minimum 2 years of Spanish

Passport valid 6 months after project end date

Pre-departure training, online or in-person

Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

June 25–Aug 6, 2024

15–19 Priority Deadline: December 5
Local Chapters: January 16
National Chapter: April 16

$6,175 – National Chapter

$5,175 – Local Chapters

Fees include all in-country expenses

Flight costs are not included

  • Ecuador: Chimborazo
  • Length
    6 Weeks
  • Requirements

    Minimum 2 years of Spanish

    Passport valid 6 months after project end date

    Pre-departure training, online or in-person

    Attend Health and Safety and Project webinars in the Spring

  • Dates

    June 25–Aug 6, 2024

  • Ages
    15–19
  • Application Deadline
    Priority Deadline: December 5
    Local Chapters: January 16
    National Chapter: April 16
  • Price

    $6,175 – National Chapter

    $5,175 – Local Chapters

    Fees include all in-country expenses

    Flight costs are not included

Apply Now

Click here

About the Project

Project Type

Community Immersion

Who is this project good for?

Students who are looking for a high level of independence and cultural immersion. Volunteers will spend six weeks in their host communities with a weekly staff visit and check-in. Volunteers on this project will be living at high altitude. They may walk up to 20 minutes to visit their community partner or get to the site for service and extracurricular activities. Additionally, volunteers on this project must be self-motivated and comfortable operating in an environment with limited supervision and direction.

College Credit

Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.

Food and Dietary Restrictions

Most meals will be homecooked typical Ecuadorian food which can include rice or quinoa with a protein (usually chicken), vegetable soups (including potatoes, Andean corn, and onions), patacones (friend plantains), and eggs. This project is not suitable for students with any dietary restrictions due to limited food variability. We are also unable to accomodate students with peanut allergies.

Homestay and Lodging Info

Combination of dormitory style lodging and homestays. Volunteers will be split into groups of 2-3 per community and live with a host family with one partner or independently. They will stay with the group and staff members at the beginning and end of the project.

Climate and Terrain

Cool and dry. The terrain is mountainous. Daytime temperatures range from 45°F to 65°F and often drop below freezing at night. Volunteers should be prepared for cold temperatures. Communities are located high in the Andes mountains and this project is not suitable for volunteers who experience altitude sickness.

Slang

achachai = Kichwa for “how cold!”

Service Hours

Earn 72 service hours.

AMIGOS History in the Region

AMIGOS began working in Ecuador in the 1970s implementing vaccination programs and public health initiatives. Today, AMIGOS operates Summer Program projects in various provinces and a Gap Program from September to May in Cuenca.

What makes this project unique?

Volunteers will have the unique opportunity to live in small, rural indigenous communities in the Sierra region of Ecuador. They will get to interact with community members whose first language may not be Spanish and will therefore have the opportunity to practice Kichwa and Spanish. Volunteers will get to enjoy slower-paced life in the campo and support their host families with daily household tasks which could include taking care of livestock or harvesting crops.

Chimborazo, Ecuador
Find out more about our programs

Join an online info session!

RSVP HERE

What You'll Do

Partner AgencY

AMIGOS has worked with our partner in this region for over 10 years. They are well-respected and have long-standing relationships with communities all over the country. AMIGOS volunteers will plug into our partner organization’s initiatives in local communities in and around Chimborazo province.  

 

Example Activities

  • Participate in Spanish and Kichwa classes
  • Work with local youth to develop and implement a sustainable, youth-led microenterprise service project. Develop a presentation for and partcipate in a business plan competition. Past projects include: production and sale of artisan goods, community banking or microlending, yogurt production, cuy farms, beekeeping, and hair salons.
  • Meet up with fellow AMIGOS to connect with friends and family back home during your mid-term excursion!

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Arrive in Ecuador – Quito- Stay in hostel near the airport overnight with group
Day 2-4:  Riobamba – Briefing activities, meet your fellow volunteers, participate in Spanish and Kichwa classes
Day 5-40:  Chimborazo Province – Volunteers will be divided into their communities and begin homestay! During this time, volunteers will work with their communities to develop and carry out a service project of the community’s choosing. Volunteers will also lead workshops with local youth 5 days a week. Volunteers will reunite with the rest of the group at the midway point to participate in a business plan competition.

Day 40-42: Quito – Dorm style lodging. Participate in Debriefing activities and curriculum. Excursions to Mitad del Mundo and Capilla del Hombre. Travel to the airport for your late-night flight back to the United States!

*Itineraries are subject to change.

Field Notes

Chimborazo: Goodbyes

Chimborazo, Ecuador


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Chimborazo: Checking In!

Chimborazo, Ecuador


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Chimborazo: A Warm Welcome

Chimborazo, Ecuador


Read More

Let`s welcome our new Gap group ❤️🙌🏻

Demos la bienvenida a nuestro nuevo grupo de Año Sabático ❤️🙌🏻
...

¡Gap está de vuelta! recargado y listo para este nuevo ciclo 🙌🏻 Vanessa, Natalia y Leticia están listas para recibir a un nuevo grupo de increíbles jóvenes que se están aventurando en esta experiencia única 🇪🇨

Gap is back!! recharged and ready for this new cycle 🙌🏻 Vanessa, Natalia and Leticia are ready to welcome a new group of incredible youths who are venturing into this unique experience 🇪🇨
...

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AMIGOS helped me find my voice and my purpose in life. AMIGOS isn’t just a summer volunteering program, it is a path that leads you to appreciate other peoples and cultures, a journey that develops you as a leader, an adventure that makes you realize that you are more capable than you think.

—Eli, Volunteer in Chimborazo, Ecuador

Program Requirements
  • Meet the health criteria for AMIGOS participation
  • Receive required immunizations
  • Be age 15–19 on the project start date
  • Have taken 2 years of Spanish or the equivalent
  • Passport valid 6 months after project start date
  • Complete pre-departure training, online or in-person
Apply Now

Program Pillars

Ethical Service

Learn how to create ethical service initiatives by working with–not for–a community, engaging local organizations and partners, and evaluating the impact of your work. AMIGOS works with trusted local partners that are passionate and committed to working with our volunteers on community service projects.

Cultural Humility

Cultural humility is a process of both self-reflection about your own culture as well as learning about other cultures. You will examine your own beliefs and cultural identity and gain an understanding of how structural racism has impacted societies and the roles that communities can take to lead systemic change.

Leadership

Learn, grow, and discover your leadership potential! Explore your sense of purpose and start to establish your personal goals and values through introspection and inquiry.

Why Choose AMIGOS?

Have an Adventure

Travel off the beaten path and to must-see spots in Ecuador! Live like a local, not a tourist, with a host family in your host community. You’ll get to see these places from the distinct perspective of someone who has spent time in that country and learned about the culture firsthand. Plus, you’ll bond with volunteers and community members and have fun!

Travel with Trust

AMIGOS is the industry leader in health and safety management. Our staff is prepared to help you with any situation that may arise. Each volunteer receives a personalized emergency plan, as well as support from local staff teams and a professional 24-hour On-Call Safety Team of travel specialists, doctors, and mental health specialists. A Health and Wellness Coordinator is on staff with the group throughout the duration of their stay. AMIGOS also has an established network of vetted medical clinics and hospitals throughout the region.

Practice Spanish

AMIGOS programs provide a unique opportunity to experience a new culture. Volunteers report increased fluency in Spanish after completing our program. Activities go far beyond the classroom — you’ll lead activities in Spanish, learn local slang, and increase your confidence with real-world practice. You will not believe how fast your Spanish improves when you use it in conversation every day!

Apply Now

Click here

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