Community Water Projects

THE REGION

El Terreno is on a hillside in the little-known province of Bolívar, just outside of the quaint colonial town of Guaranda in central Ecuador. It's nestled in a valley surrounded by traditional farmland and indigenous communities, with a spectacular view of the majestic Chimborazo Volcano (the point on earth closest to the sun!)

THE CHALLENGE

Safe and accessible drinking water is a human right. However in Atandahua and surrounding communities, people have serious due to water contamination, deforestation, and lack of storage and filtration. Domestic water is simply captured rainwater from an open air stream, which often carries soil and chemicals from farming uphill. There is no filtration and limited storage, leading to high rates of gastro-intestinal issues and regular water shut offs during the summer or when a pipe is ruptured.

THE SOLUTION

If you're a looking to gain experience, improve your CV and make a difference to those in need, come and implement community water projects through an internship in Ecuador. With support from our experienced team, you will design and implement a personalised internship ranging from infrastructure-scale engineering projects to community health & education. You will build relationships with the local community and work with them to implement a project to implement your ideas, with the potential to make a lasting impact.

EL TERRENO: CULTURAL EXCHANGE CENTRE

As a centre of cultural exchange and social innovation, we bring together local Ecuadorians and others from around the world through sustainable tourism, culture, education and ecology – to create a more meaningful, sustainable and prosperous world.

We’re working towards regenerating local ecosystems, building pride in indigenous culture, providing dignified employment opportunities, offer a wide variety of unique eco & community tourism experiences, and ensure volunteers like you learn new skills, meet extraordinary people and leave with unforgettable memories.

With your time off, you can take a walk around any of the beautiful local trails around the communities, down to the river or jump in a taxi to savor the spectacular could-covered sunset. There are regular buses into town if you would like to go shopping, try the local food or learn about Guaranda’s Carnaval - the most infamous in the country.

For a day’s outing, don’t miss hiking up to Chimborazo’s refuge and enjoying a hot chocolate at over 5,000m above sea level. Alternatively, take a tour around the salt mines and micro-businesses of the nationally renowned village of Salinas de Guaranda. If you prefer warmer climates, within an hour you can drop down to sea level and go hiking in protected virgin forests in the search of pristine rivers, tropical birds and immense waterfalls. Bolívar really has it all (minus the tourist traps!).

CLIMATE
We are at almost 3,000m (10,000ft) above sea level and the average temperature is 13°C (55°F). Below is a list of typical weather patterns throughout the year, though climate change is definitely throwing these off, so be ready for anything!

• Summer (Jun - Sep, around Christmas): hot sunny days (leading to water shortages), colder cloudless nights and often a strong wind
• Winter (Feb - Apr): Often dry mornings and heavy rain in the afternoon. Less day/night temperature change and no wind.
• Spring/Autumn (May, Oct - Jan): Somewhere between summer and winter!

Due to the high altitude, the sun feels cooler but will burn you more easily - so be prepared with a hat and sun screen. The temperature is cool at night and Ecuadorian houses have no insulation/central heating, we have blankets and hot water bottles to help keep you cosey. Fortunately there are no mosquitos at this elevation!