El Terreno

  Verified by Volunteer World
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rating

4.9

Outstanding

34

Reviews

4

Years in business

Cultural Exchange Centre in the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes. Our internships help you develop skills, make a difference to low-income communities, and travel the world.
Nestled within the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes, El Terreno is encompassed by picturesque valleys, the warmth of its people, and the richness of culture. Since 2021, El Terreno has been building a dynamic cultural exchange centre, uniting global citizens and local communities in a shared mission to ...

Review Description

Nestled within the heart of the Ecuadorian Andes, El Terreno is encompassed by picturesque valleys, the warmth of its people, and the richness of culture. Since 2021, El Terreno has been building a dynamic cultural exchange centre, uniting global citizens and local communities in a shared mission to foster a more meaningful, prosperous, and regenerative world. 

We are Joshua (UK), Karina (Quito, Ecuador) and our toddler son, Liam. We have a strong passion for positive change and years of experience in social development, volunteer coordination and sustainable tourism. We chose to dedicate our lives to Atandahua due to it's amazing landscapes and people, but it's also a place with a lot of need:

  • 40% poverty
  • 48% child malnutrition
  • 75% children don't go to high school
  • 26% teenage pregnancy rate
  • >5% indigenous children speak the native language
  • 3-4 months of water shortages per year
  • 95% local forests destroyed

With your help, we're working to regenerate local ecosystems, build pride in indigenous culture, provide dignified employment opportunities, offer a wide variety of unique eco & community tourism experiences, and ensure interns like you learn valuable skills, meet extraordinary people and leave with unforgettable memories.

Contact Person

Joshua Holmes

Spoken languages: Spanish, English
  Excellent response rate

El Terreno reviews

Meaningful opportunity and amazing experience. Overall, I'm very grateful for my time in El Terrano. The program worked closely with the community, allowing you to really experience Ecuador and the local culture. It's clear that the program is aimed to give back to the community and help to improve ...
I really liked the mix of languages, cultural knowledge but also the constant help from Joshua from administration questions to more specific topics as cultures, architecture (in my case), history or local politics. I felt like I could ask whatever question I had and always got the help I needed ...
A tailored internship full of opportunities and new experiences. I completed an 8-week internship at El Terreno and absolutely loved it! The project was incredibly versatile and tailored to my personal goals and aspirations. Like many of the internships, we used the Design Thinking Approach, which ...
Time spent in El Terreno has been amazing, it feels like a second home. This experience allowed me to better know a completely different way of living, a slow, easy, and sustainable life, which I have taken back home with me for sure. Discovering a unique culture and so many beautiful people, ...
Matthieu Levasseur rating5.0

2024 at Education & English Teaching Internship

Interning with El Terreno was an incredible experience! Every aspect, from project organization to social activities and daily life, was meticulously planned and executed perfectly. Joshua, the founder, is truly one of the most inspiring individuals you could meet. He settled in the area, built ...
A tailored internship full of opportunities and new experiences. I completed an 8-week internship at El Terreno and absolutely loved it! The project was incredibly versatile and tailored to my personal goals and aspirations. Like many of the internships, we used the Design Thinking Approach, which ...

El Terreno listings

Show All 13 Programs
Show All 13 Programs

El Terreno locations

Americas
Ecuador

El Terreno project focus

Community
Childcare Construction Culture and Arts Social Work Women Empowerment
Education
Primary School
Environment
Agriculture Energy and Water
Healthcare
Medical Training
NGO Support
Business Development

UN Sustainable Development Goals

  • Good Health And Well-Being
  • Quality Education
  • Gender Equality
  • Decent Work And Economic Growth
  • Reduced Inequalities
  • Sustainable Cities And Communities
  • Life On Land
  • Peace, Justice And Strong Institutions
  • Partnerships For The Goals