Ecuador: Chimborazo
Building Businesses
| 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 |
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
$6,175 – National Chapter
$5,175 – Local Chapters
Fees include all in-country expenses
Flight costs are not included
Community Immersion
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.
Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.
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.
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.
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.
achachai = Kichwa for “how cold!”
Earn 72 service hours.
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.
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.
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.
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.
The most anticipated moment of all 🙌🏻✨ finally our Gap volunteers were able to meet their new Ecuadorian families, thank you all for an amazing night 🥰
El momento más esperado de todos 🙌🏻✨ finalmente nuestros voluntarios de Gap pudieron conocer a sus nuevas familias ecuatorianas, gracias a todos por una noche llena de cariño y risas 🥰
This is a small summary of what the briefing week has been like, the volunteers have enjoyed a week full of games, workshops and cultural activities 🇪🇨
Este es un pequeño resumen de lo que ha sido la semana de orientación, los voluntarios han disfrutado de una semana llena de juegos, talleres y actividades culturales 🇪🇨
Let`s welcome our new Gap group ❤️🙌🏻
Demos la bienvenida a nuestro nuevo grupo de Año Sabático ❤️🙌🏻
El día sábado tuvimos nuestra capacitación con familia anfitrionas, y este es un pequeño resumen de lo que fue una mañana muy activa. Todas las familias están ansiosas de conocer a nuestro nuevo grupo de voluntarios✨
On Saturday we had our training with host families, and this is a small summary of what was a very active morning. All families are looking forward to meeting our new cohort of volunteers ✨
Esta semana estuvimos visitando a algunas de nuestras agencias asociadas a quienes agradecemos por siempre recibirnos con los brazos abiertos ✨ This week we were visiting some of our partner agencies whom we thank for always welcoming us with open arms✨
¡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 🇪🇨
Thank you for the memories! Santa Elena B signing off ❤️🩹🫶🏻
🇪🇨🐋🤍
Gracias por los recuerdos! Santa Elena Sesión B, despidiéndose❤️🩹🫶🏻
We whale(y) miss session B!
🇪🇨🐋🤍
Nuestra sesión B Ba-llena de recuerdos bonitos!
Con amor, Santa Elena
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
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 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.
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.
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!
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.
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!
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