Ecuador: La Sierra
Pachamama y Cosmovisión: Indigenous Culture
| Length | Requirements | Dates | Ages | Application Deadline |
Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session A | 3 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 19–July 10, 2024 |
15–19 |
Priority Deadline: December 5 Local Chapters: January 16 National Chapter: April 16 |
$5,875 – National Chapter $4,875 – Local Chapters Fees include all in-country expenses Flight costs are not included |
| Session B | 3 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 |
July 17–Aug 7, 2024 |
15–19 |
Priority Deadline: December 5 Local Chapters: January 16 National Chapter: May 14 |
$5,875 – National Chapter $4,875 – 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 19–July 10, 2024
$5,875 – National Chapter
$4,875 – 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
July 17–Aug 7, 2024
$5,875 – National Chapter
$4,875 – Local Chapters
Fees include all in-country expenses
Flight costs are not included
Group travel with homestay.
Students looking to step out of their comfort zone with the support of supervisors and fellow volunteers. Volunteers will divide their time between group housing and a short homestay, which includes meeting up with their group for daily activities. This project is a good fit for individuals who aren’t afraid to roll up their sleeves to do hands-on agricultural work. Service activities may vary on a day-to-day basis so it is also important for volunteers to be flexible, open-minded, and have a can-do attitude regardless of the volunteering activities that are thrown their way.
Receive college credit for joining this project! Learn more here.
Most meals will be typical Ecuadorian food which can include rice or quinoa with a protein (often chicken), vegetable soups (including potatoes, Andean corn, and onions), patacones (fried plantains), and eggs. This project is not suitable for volunteers with severe dietary restrictions due to limited food variability. We are also unable to accommodate volunteers with peanut allergies.
This project includes a combination of dormitory style lodging and homestays. Volunteers will be together at the beginning and end of the project, with a homestay in the middle. The homestays will all be in the same community with typically 1-3 volunteers per host family. Project staff also live with a host family in the same community as volunteers during this time.
This project is primarily located in the highlands of Ecuador. Temperatures are cool, ranging from lows in the 40’s to highs in the 60’s/70’s. June-August is typically the dry season, though some sporadic rain is possible. Homes in Ecuador often do not have heating or insulation so warm pajamas, sweaters, and sleeping bags are useful for keeping volunteers warm at night.
achachai = how cold!
Earn 36 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.
Learn about indigenous traditions in the Sierra region by participating in ceremonies, eating a typical pampamesa meal, and by learning some Kichwa phrases. While volunteers will primarily be in rural areas in Azuay and Cañar provinces, volunteers will also get to experience an Andean city through a day-long excursion to museums and touristic locations in Cuenca. Perform hands-on farmwork at an organic farm and learn about indigenous agriculture through seed preservation and reforestation service activities.
Through visits to farms, communities, and national parks, experience Ecuadorian agricultural practices and learn about the connection between rural and urban areas via food production. Understand the impact of agriculture on indigenous communities, ancestral cultures, and traditional medicine. Hear from community members and learn about cosmovisión, the way in which the indigenous culture understands the world.
We have three main partner agencies on the La Sierra Project:
The first is located on Cerro Cabogana, an expansive farm where vegetables are grown according to the cycles of the plants and their seasons using the lunar calendar. They also produce dairy products while taking care of the animals responsibly. You can enjoy horseback riding, beautiful views of the city and the countryside, and hikes to waterfalls and mountains.
While living with host families, volunteer will support the work of the municipal government in their host community. Volunteers may work on reforestation projects, at a seed bank, on rural tourism initiatives, or with women-led artisan or agricultural cooperatives.
Our third partner is an organization led by three indigenous women who have built an enterprise focused on community-based tourism. Unlike other forms of community tourism in the province and the country, this organization focuses on the correlation of the four natural elements of earth, air, water, and fire while weaving in Andean wisdom and its influence on agriculture, gastronomy, medicine, language, music, architecture, and spirituality.
Earn 36 service hours while volunteering!
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
I learned a lot about different cultures, different ways of life, and different peoples’ experiences. It was amazing to see how people on the farms depended on the land and cared so deeply about the environment, and I really enjoyed talking to them about their experiences.
-Madeline, Ecuador Volunteer, 2022
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.
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!
Travel to must-see spots in your host country! You’ll travel as a group to experience unique destinations like volcanoes, ancient ruins, national parks, and historical sites. 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 their fellow volunteers 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.
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