El Terreno

  Verified by Volunteer World
project-logo
rating

4.9

Outstanding


21

Reviews


3

Years in business

Cultural Exchange Centre in the Heart of the Ecuadorian Andes. We offer internships develop your 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 ...

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 also 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
  Very high response rate

El Terreno reviews

I'm so thankful for my time at El Terreno! I spent my time there as an architecture intern and got to do a very large variety of things, like different scales of designing, planning as well as working hands on with construction. El Terreno is a place where there's always new things to do and new ...
I had an amazing experience with El Terreno. I participated in their Culture and Anthropology internship and learned more than I could ever have expected. The support from Joshua and Karina throughout the process was outstanding and my experience in a homestay and with the other volunteers and ...
Kimi Chen rating5.0

2023 at Community Water Projects Internship

I had the privilege of interning at El Terreno for 6 weeks, where I worked on a water project and was able to learn so much and make a difference in the community. I worked with a great team, did a lot of hiking to water sources, talked to community members, learned a lot from our mentors ...
You can feel that this Project comes from the heart and that the main motivation is improving the quality of live for the local community. The love and energy that Joshua and Karina put into the work is omnipresent and create a wonderful atmosphere. I was nervous to spend such a long time away from ...
Chris Imm rating5.0

2023 at Community Water Projects Internship

After my first attempt at volunteering in Peru didn't work out, I found this opportunity which felt like a close fit and had great reviews. Leaving my family for 4 weeks sounded like long time, but it takes a while to make an impact. I'm so glad that I decided to go to Atandahua and help with ...
My time and internship at El Terreno provided me with the perfect opportunity to combine my vision and ambitions with my profession. I learned tons by doing an internship in sustainable architecture. Joshua and Karina are very kind and put in a lot of effort to ensure I, and the other people staying ...

El Terreno listings


El Terreno locations


El Terreno project focus


UN Sustainable Development Goals

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