If you dream of immersing yourself in South America's andean cultures in view of snowcapped volcanos, while making a real-world impact for rural communities, our Changemaker Programme is for you.
As part of El Terreno's vibrant international community, use your skills on specific social & environmental projects, while discovering your purpose and developing the skills to step into a more significant and successful life — no matter your age.
THE REGION
El Terreno is nestled on a hillside in Bolívar province, just outside the charming colonial town of Guaranda in central Ecuador. Surrounded by traditional farmland and indigenous communities, it promises stunning views of the majestic Chimborazo Volcano, the closest point on Earth to the sun.
THE CHALLENGE
In many rural communities surrounding Guaranda, families face significant difficulties in providing sufficient and nutritious meals for their children. Child malnutrition remains a serious issue in the region, affecting nearly half of all young children under five. This leads to stunted growth, weakened immune systems, impaired cognitive development, and lower educational performance. Many pregnant women also experience inadequate weight gain, resulting in babies being born underweight.
The problem is worsened by deeply rooted cultural food habits. Daily diets are heavily based on starches such as potatoes, rice, and plantains, while proteins, vegetables, and micronutrient-rich foods are often consumed in very small quantities. Traditional Andean superfoods like chocho (lupin bean), mashua, and quinoa — once central to local nutrition — are gradually disappearing from family tables, replaced by cheap processed foods marketed as modern and convenient. Additionally, the consumption of untreated water and poor hygiene practices contribute to frequent parasitic infections, diarrhoea, and anaemia, which further reduce the body’s ability to absorb nutrients.
High rates of teenage pregnancy (around 26%) mean many young mothers lack the knowledge, skills, and support needed to properly nourish themselves and their babies. If these patterns continue, another generation risks growing up with limited physical and cognitive potential, perpetuating cycles of poverty and migration.
THE SOLUTION
We are looking for enthusiastic and creative interns in Cooking & Family Nutrition to help address malnutrition through practical, hands-on community programmes. You will work directly with local families, young mothers, schools, nurseries, and the local health centre to promote healthier eating habits and improve family nutrition.
Your role will include designing and delivering interactive cooking workshops, demonstrating how to incorporate traditional Andean superfoods into everyday meals, teaching balanced meal preparation on a low budget, and promoting essential food hygiene and safe water practices. You will also support breastfeeding education, nutritional guidance for pregnant women and young children, and awareness-raising sessions about the importance of dietary diversity.
By reviving ancestral food knowledge and combining it with practical modern nutrition education, you will help empower mothers and families to prepare more nutritious meals using locally available ingredients. This internship offers a meaningful opportunity to improve child health and development while building stronger, healthier, and more resilient communities in the Ecuadorian Andes.
THE CHANGEMAKER PROGRAMME
As part of our flagship programme, you will push yourself out of your comfort zone to experience a life of greater community, culture, contribution and calling.
Based on your skills and interests, you will be assigned to one of our hands-on social and environmental projects based on community needs. With support of our bilingual coordinators, professional mentors and local partners, you will co-create lasting solutions for low-income communities.
On site, you'll be provided the logistical support, food and accommodation for a comfortable stay, as well as regular check-ins, cultural activities and language guidance.
Living alongside a cohort of global Changemakers, you will spend your free time discovering Ecuador's mega-biodiversity and fascinating culture. Everything to provide you the experience of a lifetime.
IDEAL CANDIDATE
The programme is open to all ages — whether you're an aspiring talent, experienced professional or insightful elder, you can contribute to a more vibrant, prosperous and regenerative world.
As an organisation committed to a participatory-based approach, we search for ethically minded participants with a respect for cultural differences. Intermediate English or Spanish is essential, and our bilingual coordinators will help with the translation and community integration.
A model participant is passionate, proactive, well organised, and takes pride in their work — all this while desiring to step outside of their comfort zone, build authentic relationships, and become a member of a dynamic multi-cultural community.
OUR EXPERIENCE
Since 2021, over 250 people from over 40 countries have contributed to social and environmental projects in diverse areas such as sustainable architecture, cultural preservation, gender empowerment, and community water management. On average, our alumni consistently score us with 4.7+ out of 5 across all programmes and platforms.
FIND OUT MORE!
Are you looking to find your purpose and apply your skills in an impactful way, while experiencing South American landscapes and culture in search of a richer and more meaningful life?
If so, make an application to schedule your free Discovery Call with our Founder and find out what your next adventure could look like.
