Cultural Exchange Creation
Highlights
THE REGION
The project 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!).
Although in the centre of the country and stunningly beautiful, the
province is one of Ecuador’s poorest. There is a high rate of
malnutrition, illiteracy and poverty. With few employment opportunities,
most high-school graduates quickly leave to the larger cities and the
indigenous language and culture is under threat.
Here you can help make a real, lasting difference to the surrounding
people, so that locals can continue to find pride in their native
culture and can prosper in their local communities.
THE FAMILY
My name is Joshua; I’m 34 and from the UK. In 2013 I came as a
backpacker to Ecuador for the first time and fell in love with the place
- the people, the culture, the biodiversity and of course, with my
Ecuadorian partner, Karina - who we are pleased to say is pregnant!
In 2017, I returned on a one-way ticket and after time spending 3 years
searching the country looking for land, we found the perfect spot to
begin building a vision we had been nurturing for many years. We’re
delighted to receive you as a valued part of creating a more prosperous
and meaningful world, while making your stay warm and welcoming.
Furthermore, the province of Bolívar is also one of the most diverse in Ecuador: within an hour you can be walking beyond the snowline of Chimborazo volcano, exploring the cottage industries of Salinas de Guaranda, learning about Guaranda’s famous Carnaval or hiking through tropical rainforests.
New Skills
Depending on how long you stay, there's the opportunity to learn traditional techniques in cooking, dance and construction by working with local people, as well as learning innovative practices such as permaculture, personal development workshops and sustainable tourism.
We listen to your needs to integrate you where you feel most passionate and engaged, because we know that’s where you’ll do your best work.
New People
Located in the centre of Ecuador, Guaranda is home to some of the warmest and most generous people you'll ever meet. They still hold the community spirit that has brought them through hardship and given birth to the incredible culture. You will experience this first hand and undoubtedly leave with a broader perspective on the world.
The local community have generously donated their 'casa comunal' (community hall) for you to live in. Here will live, work and play with other volunteers side by side, learning about different perspectives, make meaningful connections and have the time of your life!
Typical day
- Work Days: Monday to Thursday
- Project Priorities: 8am-11am
- Personal Project: 11.30am
Therefore, for those who are responsible and self-motivated, we can work
with you to design your own personal project during your stay (40% of
work time). The rest of the time will be spent on project priorities.
PROJECT PRIORITIES
- Work with local craftsmen using bio-construction techniques to restore a 150 year-old adobe farmhouse
- Harvesting, tree planting, landscaping etc. (depending on the season)
- Decoration of the casa comunal (volunteer accommodation)
- Cooking & cleaning
- Design and deliver cultural exchange activities for the local indigenous population, young and old
- Help develop sustainable tourism activities/catalogue local trails for future tourists and visitors
- Learn about permaculture design and help implement the vision of our gardens, forests & water harvesting/treatment systems
- Be our resident marketing manager - develop our website, create content and share it on social media (we have a camera & computer available as required)
Free-time activities
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!).
Souvenirs
Opera
Requirements
However, those hwo have skills in community engagement, gardening, construction & maintanence, cooking and teaching are always welcome.
What's Included
There are two dormitories with a total of 8 beds, bathroom (with hot water) and a kitchen used exclusively for volunteer use (apart from the odd community event). It’s clean and has all the basics to help you feel at home.
WiFi is available (we ask for $3 to cover costs), washing either done by a neighbour or by hand.
Dates & Fees
Details on arrival
Why book with Volunteer World
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Cultural Exchange Creation
Make an lasting impact in indigenous communities: help build a vibrant cultural exchange centre & deliver your own personal project using your unique skills & interests!
Free of charge
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