Ecuador: La Sierra
Indigenous Rights & Food Security
| Length | Training Dates |
In-Country Dates |
Ages | Application Deadline |
Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Session A - Closed | 3 weeks |
Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country. |
June 15–July 5 |
15–19 | The deadline for Session A has passed. Please email our Admissions team with any questions at [email protected] |
$4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here) $5,875 – National Chapter Fees include all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included. |
| Session B - Full | 3 Weeks |
Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country. |
July 13–August 2 |
15–19 | This session is full. Click here to join the waitlist. Final deadline: May 9, 2023 |
$4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here) $5,875 – National Chapter Fees include all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included. |
Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
June 15–July 5
$4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)
$5,875 – National Chapter
Fees include all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included.
Online training on COVID-19, health and safety, mental health, travel, and AMIGOS history before departure. Leadership and orientation training take place in-country.
July 13–August 2
$4,375 – Local Chapter (Find out more about joining AMIGOS through a local chapter here)
$5,875 – National Chapter
Fees include all in-country expenses. Flight costs are not included.
Group living, including 12 days with a host family. Maximum enrollment is 18, with two spots reserved for students from Ecuador.
Cool and dry. The terrain is mountainous. You’ll definitely need a jacket at night!
Get two college credits for this project! Find out more here.
achachai = how cold!
Earn 36 service hours!
Potatoes, cuy (guinea pig), choclo con queso (corn with fresh cheese)
High altitude in the Andes mountains
Potatoes, Andean tubers, quinoa, Andean corn, barley, and onions.
Ecuatorianos
Learn about the way indigenous Andean cultures understand the world.
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!
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.
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
¡Getting ready for great adventures! 🤩
The Senior Staff of the Santa Elena Project is currently working on visiting communities and arranging the best plans with @plan_ecuador to ensure an amazing experience for everyone 🫱🏼🫲🏽✨
¡Preparándonos para grandes aventuras! 🤩
El Senior Staff de Santa Elena ha estado trabajando en visitar comunidades y armar los mejores planes con @plan_ecuador para asegurar una maravillosa experiencia para todos 🫱🏼🫲🏽✨
#amigosdelasamericas #volunteering #communityservice
Appreciation post for the gap volunteers. Thank you for being adventurous and being willing to immerse yourselves in a new culture, great job!
Some results of beautiful service projects carried out by the gap volunteers
Gap volunteers are enjoying the last days of their experience at Quito
Gap volunteers just finished they internships. We want to thank the community of Cuenca for all the love and support ❤️
Language exchange final event. Juegos y hamburguesas 🎁🍔🎮
Gap volunteers during their excursion to Ingapirca
Family time around Cuenca!
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