Teaching in the Heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon

location
4 - 50 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Very Good 4.3  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Excellent response rate

Highlights

  • In Yasuní, you have the unique opportunity to work in the most biodiverse place in the world.
  • Work within the indigenous Huaorani community, teaching English, sports and much more!
  • Actively involve yourself with the organization and the project.
  • Roll up your sleeves and help building playground equipment or other objects.
  • Go on an incredible trip in the Amazon with a local Huaorani guide.


Especially good for

Age 18+
Singles
Couples
Families
Groups
50+

About the program

In Yasuní, in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, you can work in the fields of eco-tourism, sports and/or as an English teacher and get to meet the indigenous Huaorani.

In Yasuní you´ll work in the fields of sports and/or as an English teacher. Furthermore, in this unique location, students can follow internships in fields like psychology, pedagogy, biology, anthropology and do biological/environmental research in the ECY research center.

Our volunteers and ...

About the program

In Yasuní you´ll work in the fields of sports and/or as an English teacher. Furthermore, in this unique location, students can follow internships in fields like psychology, pedagogy, biology, anthropology and do biological/environmental research in the ECY research center.

Our volunteers and interns reside in the ECY (Scientific Station Yasuní), which is a modern center for research in the middle of the jungle. Every day you and your fellow volunteers take a van to the Guiyero community and visit a traditional Huaorani tribe. In Guiyero you give English lessons, you play sports with the local kids and you help building playground equipment or other objects. For the group of teenagers, in which alcoholism is a growing problem, we organize (sporty and creative) activities. Deep in the Amazon, you´ll get to learn the secrets of the mysterious jungle and its inhabitants.


Typical day

On a typical day, you'll sit down for breakfast around 8:00 AM, then head to the local Huaroni community with the other volunteers and teach English to different age groups in the morning. Afterwards, you will return to the research center for a hearty lunch before indulging in sports classes or ...

Typical day

On a typical day, you'll sit down for breakfast around 8:00 AM, then head to the local Huaroni community with the other volunteers and teach English to different age groups in the morning. Afterwards, you will return to the research center for a hearty lunch before indulging in sports classes or creative activities in the afternoon, depending on your preferences and talents. In the evenings and on weekends you go out with a guide to see more of the national park.


Free-time activities

This project location is famous for its unique jungle hikes, led by a local guide from the Huaorani tribe. Furthermore, Yasuní is the perfect place to relax and recover from the hectic life in the big city.

Free-time activities

This project location is famous for its unique jungle hikes, led by a local guide from the Huaorani tribe. Furthermore, Yasuní is the perfect place to relax and recover from the hectic life in the big city.


Requirements

Requirements

Minimum Age: 18 years

In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

Language Skills

You need to speak English (intermediate level)

Education Requirements

at High school level

Criminal Background Check

required

Nationality Restrictions

No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

Time Commitment

Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 09:00 - 16:00

What's Included

What's Included

Services by Foundation Local Dreamers

The payment includes room & board, the project fee and preparation & guidance.

Airport Pickup at Mariscal Sucre International Airport

When you arrive at airport Mariscal Sucre, our driver José Luis will be waiting for you at the gate. We always provide him with some pictures of you, so he will for sure recognize you. Together with José Luis you will make a one-hour drive to our office in the centre of Quito. At the office, one of our coordinators will welcome you and show you around in the neighborhood. After a little small talk we will bring you to your host family/ the volunteer house where you have all the time to recover from your flight.

Accommodation

You have your own bedroom and bathroom, possibly together with another volunteer.

Food & Beverages

Three extensive and delicious meals per day are included.

Internet Access

Good access at the project site

What's NOT included?

What's NOT included?

Flight Tickets

The nearest airport is Mariscal Sucre International Airport (UIO) in Quito. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

Travel Insurance

Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

Vaccines

If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador. VACCINE CHECKER

Details on arrival

This project runs throughout the year. Because Yasuní National Park is a protected national park and it is not accessible to tourists, you will enter together with one of our coordinators.

Availability
Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Program fees

4 weeks (min. stay) 1,198€
5 weeks 1,497€
9 weeks 2,695€
17 weeks 5,091€
50 weeks (max. stay) 14,973€
Average fees 299€/week

Program fees

299€ per week 4 - 50 weeks Age 18 - 50+

Payment methods

Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

NO CREDIT CARD FEES


Duration

4 - 50 weeks

Deposit

The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


Final Payment

Your final payment will be agreed with Foundation Local Dreamers during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


Meet your organization

Foundation Local Dreamers

Very Good 4.3 rating (14 reviews)

Non-profit - founded in 2011

Verified by Volunteer World

  Excellent response rate

Coordinated by

Aldert

Spoken languages: English, Spanish, Dutch

About the project

Local Dreamers is an organization that was founded by a small group of young idealists. It is created out of the passion for South-America and Ecuador in particular.

Meet your organization

After the establishment of Local Dreamers in November 2011, our Dutch founders Aldert Schriemer and Jesse van Woestijne first ran a pilot project in Quito, Ecuador, in 2012. Six years later, we are still pursuing our dream every day: deploying talent development, sport, language and creativity to develop personal and social development, self-confidence and entrepreneurship. 

Our story

We are a young team that operates quickly, openly, involved, passionately and dynamically. Every day we try to share our dreams with the community and try to make the dreams of the community come true. We do this with a healthy amount of energy and fun, but above all with an important objective: to contribute to a world that makes people happy. Step by step.

Our top mission

To create an inspiring and safe learning environment in which Ecuadorian children, youngsters and international volunteers can discover, develop, share and connect their talents and dreams with each other. We focus on the needs of both worlds and connect their different cultures and people with one another.

We use talent, sport, education, creativity and communication in order to create social development, confidence and entrepreneurship. Our goal is to build fruitful, self-sustaining projects and to convey them to local project coordinators.

  • Create ties
We create ties that last between different worlds, cultures and people. We try to broaden one´s view on the world, both for involved Ecuadorians as for international volunteers.

  •  Offer a safe environment

We offer a safe environment in which Ecuadorian children and youngsters between the ages of 6 to 16 year, regardless of gender, race, socioeconomic background, can discover and develop their talents.

  • Create self-sustaining projects

We create self-sustaining projects, which will be governed by the inhabitants of the project areas within 10 years, after which Local Dreamers’ role in the projects will be limited to advising and controlling.

  • Contribute to a better world

We arouse the interest and enthusiasm of international ‘dreamers’ in contributing to a better world by sharing knowledge, experiences, passions and talents with one another.

  • Stimulate social development

We use sports and games, language, creativity and (intercultural) communication to stimulate the personal and social development of Ecuadorian children and teenagers.

  • Contribute to local initiatives

We contribute to small-scale local initiatives through the knowledge, experience, passion and talent of international volunteers. Projects which have enough basis to survive without our presence.

14 reviews · rating4.3

Michele Vigano rating4.6

2023 at Soccer Trainer at the Ecuadorian Coast

Sono stato in un periodo non semplice per l’Ecuador, inizio Gennaio 2024. Nonostante questo sono riuscito a godermi a pieno un paese magnifico, con delle problematiche ma tanto potenziale. La scuola calcio è gestita alla grande da Adrian, Joshua e Klever. Sono davvero delle persone stupende e ...
Local Dreamers is providing healthy meals for kids. It is creating a safe and fun place for children and family members. Volunteers prepared fresh food and healthy meals. ..
Lars Rumawatine rating5

2022 at Child Care Worker at Youth Center

Amazing project in the South of Quito for the children who need it the most. I really liked the companionship with my fellow volunteers while doing some of the groceries and preparing dinner for the children. The smiles on the children's faces, while they were eating and playing games, were ...
Ruth Sophie Schrapper rating5

2022 at Conservation of Nature

I had two amazing weeks at Hacienda la Soledad with Eduardo, Carlos and basically the whole family because we even ended up joining the barbecue with the whole family! In two weeks we did something new every day and still had the afternoons and weekend to explore San Cristobal and the other islands! ...
Simona Tamburrino rating1

2022 at Child Care Worker at Youth Center

# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # PROJECT STATEMENT BELOW # # # # # # # # # # # #Leider wurde mein Misstrauen nach nur einer Woche Aufenthalt in Quito gebrochen. Mein Weltanschauungsbild hinsichtlich Freiwilligenarbeit wurde von Local Dreamers komplett zerstört. Ich glaube nicht mehr daran, dass das ...
Stefanie Reiter rating2.2

2021 at Teacher at a Swimming School

***Project Statement Below*** I signed up for the project "Teacher at a Swimming School" and expected to work as a swimming teacher during my volunteering time. Surprisingly I've been told on my first day that I was also in charge of teaching English (to adults and kids) and soccer (to kids). As ...

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Contact Aldert
  Excellent response rate
English, Spanish, Dutch

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