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Voluntarios de USA en Ecuador |
Gracias por todo, he disfrutaba mucho, Las Tolas, Urcu Puyujunda, los animals y la familia de Alvaro y Geovanna. Fue una buena experiencia. Dana Conley, USA
Me gustaría a darles las gracias por su amabilidad y me ha dado la oportunidad para trabajar al centro con los niños a través de su programa. Fue verdaderamente una experiencia invalorable que nunca olvidaré. Por cierto contactare a ustedes si pienso viajar a Ecuador en el futuro. ¡Nuevamente gracias por todo que ustedes han hecho, no solo por los voluntarios que sirven con su programa, sino también para la gente que vivir en su país muy bonito! ¡El mundo está bendecido para tener personas como ustedes, y programas como Eco-Volunteer UP!
Muchísimas gracias,
Me encanto mi estancia en Quito y aprendi mucho mientras trabajaba en el hospital. Doctor Escobar es muy buena gente y un doctor muy talentoso. El me enseno mucho de la medicina y del tratamiento de los pacientes. Muchisimas gracias a ustedes por arreglar esta obra de voluntariado y mi estancia con Veronica y Carlos. Todo fue buenisimo...una experiencia inolvidable. Espero que todo les vaya bien, y que su programa de Eco Volunteer UP tenga mucho exito!
KELSEY LUOMA, USA
Amy
U.S.A. (Thomaston, ME)
My name is Catherine Walker and I am a three-time volunteer with Eco Volunteer UP Ecuador. When I came to Ecuador for the first time three years ago, I traveled with my husband. Through the program, we had the opportunity to take Spanish lessons in the morning and work in an orphanage in the afternoon. Our "thing" is to teach art. We found that with limited Spanish-speaking skills that having something to focus on, such as an art project, allowed us to quickly connect with the children.
Upon leaving Ecudor that first time, and armed with a long list of "must sees" in the world, I was fairly certain that I would not return.
However, when I got back to California and looked over my photos of the children, I realized just how much I missed being there. Within a month, I purchased a return ticket for the following year.
Through email, Maria and I discussed a other volunteer possibilities in Quito. And, while I do not have any medical experience, I elected to volunteer at the Boca Children's Hospital.
There is something very empowering about traveling by yourself. For me, it was a sort of "test." Could I manage the flight connections? Could I get there and back with all of my stuff? Could I get from place to place alone? Having a familiar place to live with Maria, Freddie and Maria's parents was certainly beneficial. With that settled, I could concentrate on work and side-travel.
Given that this was my second time traveling to Ecuador, I was better prepared in planning my activities in more detail. My airline allowed for a second suitcase and I packed it full of art supplies. Using art plans I found on the Web, I shopped at the local "dollar" store for crayons, colored pencils, paints, and paper. I also collected toys from fast food restuarants. These types of small toys are very popular with the children.
At Boca Ortiz, I worked in the 4th floor game room. Each day, I would select a work table and set out my supplies. Next up was convincing the children to come over and work with me. After a day or two, the children got accostomed to my presence and joined me willingly. In fact, many parents would come to the table with their children to work on that day's project. I know for some of the parents, it was a relief to have something to do to keep their minds off their sick children. I also know that many of the children I meet there were so very sick that they were likely to die, and that having something that your child made meant a great deal to those parents in particular.
This work also meant a great deal to me. Upon leaving Ecuador, the second time, I wasn't so convinced that I would not return again. In fact, it wasn't long before I purchased the ticket for my third trip.
Again, I worked at Boca Ortiz. Everyday, I would put on my white lab coat and join the children and parents in making hand puppets, face masks, or necklaces. Everyday I left work I appreciated more and more my health and well-being. Through these volunteer trips, I learned that you really can live on very little, and that while I may "want" certain things, not much is necessary to survive. The goal of living a simplistic lifestyle remains strong within me.
While I have been fortunate enough to travel to other places in the world during the last three years, it is Ecuador that remains foremost in my heart and mind. I am currently planning my return trip for the summer of 2009 and am looking for others to join me at that time. If you are considering volunteering but would prefer a group setting, contact me and let's see if we can line up our schedules for next year!
Catherine Walker, USA
I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful experience during my two weeks in Ecuador. It was an experience that I will never forget. I loved it so much because everything that I did was so different from the next thing. Being able to stay with a host family, especially a host family as nice and welcoming as yours was what made all of the difference in my two week stay. I think that if I had stayed at a hostel or had some other arrangements I would not have felt such a connection with the culture and how Ecuadorian people really are. Being welcomed in to your home and being included as part of the family was one of the best aspects of my trip. You really made me feel welcomed and I appreciate that. I was nervous when I arrived at the airport but as soon as I met Maria's parents I knew that I was going to have a good trip.
It was great that the orphanage was so close to your home. It made going for both the morning and afternoon easy and not troublesome. I really don't have any complaints about my trip. The food was great, and always a variety which is good. I miss your home made juice in the morning. The side trips were all exciting and different from one another. Papallacta and the Cloud Forest were my favorites. The country is so beautiful so being able to see different parts of the land by just riding in a car was enjoyable for me. I also enjoyed meeting both of your families. Seeing a family in Quito and one outside of Quito was a great comparison.
Thank you for all of your generosity and being patient with my half Spanish half English. Staying for two weeks has sparked my interest again in the Spanish language and I am considering completing my Spanish minor with classes during the summer. I wish that I had been able to communicate in Spanish better at times, but never felt isolated because of the language differences.
I loved Ecuador and am sure that I will return to your wonderful country some time within the next few years.
Michaela Alissandrello, USA
The host family made me feel very at home and gave me some experiences. I will never forget. They didn't have to do any of that but they did, and that what makes you amazing people. I'll never forget them and their families. About the trip....other than the accommodations were ideal and I felt very safe the entire time. Everything worked out perfectly and I very much miss the kids at the orphanage. Just the other day I was showing the pictures of the kids to Kyle and I started crying because I realized how much they meant to me. I am never going to forget any of them.
Anastasia Kidniz, USA
I've recently returned from one of the most wonderful adventures I coud have ever had. I participated in a 3 weeks volunteer program with home stay. The volunteer work took place at a small orphanage in Quito, filled with 28 of the most gentle & &loving children,& infants. Days were filled with laughter, games,& trips to the park. An in the evenings I spent time with my "host family" speaking Spanish (..or at least trying to..), eating local home made cuisine, &playing a mean game of cards. All the while learning more about the customs, culture, & politics, of this tiny South America gem. Weekends were spent exploring the sights & sounds of Ecuador. One weekend I went to the markets in Otavalo & visited the beautiful city of Ibarra. My second weekend was spent in Quito visiting a myriad of museums & cultural & historical sites. My final weekend was spend in the Cloud Forest, at one of the most beautiful spots in the world. Never have I felt so far removed from the world. I was treated to wonderful local cuisine, hikes with my own private guide, & baths under cascading waterfalls. No phones, no interruptions.. And all this, only a beautiful 2 hours drive from Quito.
I can't wait to come back & explore Ecuador even more. There is just so much for one to see & do ... so you must take full advantage of all your time.
Katherine Davis, USA
Thank you very much for arranging the volunteer program for us, and I'd like to begin by saying that we had an amazing and rewarding experience
We really enjoyed spending time with the people from Las Tolas, working in the shop, traveling and playing soccer. We found that the Ecuadorian culture and country are both beautiful and we hope to return in the near future.
Emily Grady and Rusell, USA
I had an awesome time in Ecuador. The hospitality and the generosity of the family made it even more special and welcoming. The daycare experience was great. The teacher I was with really made the experience better since she was welcoming and patient with the fact that I didn't speak very much Spanish.
I absolutely enjoyed the expeditions. I enjoyed seeing the market in Otavalo. Cotopaxi was great! The days at the beach was fun. It was good and relaxing. The place we stayed at was wonderful. The 3 day adventure to Banos and the Amazon was amazing! I loved the hotel that we stayed at in Banos. The tour guide we had was very nice and helpful. The rafting trip was exciting and beautiful. It was good that they provided wetsuits and boots for us. The accommodation in the Amazon was nice. I loved all the places we saw and things we did. The family really made me feel welcomed and taken cared of. Thank you so much! I was really sad to leave at the end of my 2 weeks.
Michelle Ma, USA
The family that I lived with, obviously, could not have been better. They made us feel so welcome and wonderful. They made us feel like part of the family and made our stay there so very special. The work at the disabled school was fantastic and very rewarding. The trips to Cotopaxi, Otavalo, the beach and to Amazon were also excellent. We stayed at such nice places and had wonderful food and experiences. Thank you for coordinating a great experience for me and I cannot wait to one day return to Ecuador!
Erin Steppe , USA
My volunteer experience was the most valuable, unforgettable experience of my entire life. I fell in love with the people, the culture, the music, and the country. I am already looking at dates next year to return.
I was pretty nervous on the plane to Quito, but when I saw Fredy at the airport with a sign with my name, my nerves calmed. Maria, Fredy, and their family are just wonderful people that I already miss very much.
My first 3 weeks consisted of volunteering in the daycare in Quito with the little babies. They were just adorable, and I'll never forget dancing with them! I made friends with all the ladies that worked there, and we just laughed all day as we tried to learn each other's language.
I also took 2 weeks of Spanish lessons, which helped me a ton! It was pretty intense with 4 hours of classroom a day for ten days, but I saw huge differences in my ability to communicate with the people during and after my course.
While living in the city, I took three professional salsa lessons, and also informal lessons from Maria's family! I traveled on a day trip to Otavalo where I bought gifts for my family and friends, and I also traveled to Mitad del Mundo and stood on the equator.
My last two weeks were spent in Las Tolas in the cloud forest two hours northwest of Quito. This was the most unforgettable and moving experience of my life. I lived with a family right in the village. I spent my days helping the people of the village on community projects, such as weeding the community garden, building a patio in front of the church, and making signs for their buildings. I also helped the artisans in their workshop with making jewelry from seeds and things from the forest. I hiked to two beautiful waterfalls, the next village, and to the lodge where other volunteers lived. The people of the village are the hardest working, most caring, and humble people I have ever met. They value their community and their culture. By this point, I could communicate fairly well with them, which makes the experience even that more valuable. It was extremely hard to leave because the people of this small village had become my family.
From this experience I learned that a smile goes a long way, and that people, no matter where they live or how, all laugh with each other, cry with each other, and care for each other in very much the same way, and that we all take what we are given in life and try to make the most of it. The only way to really appreciate the experience is to have an open mind, an open heart, and a sense of humor. Just take it all in. This has been an experience I will hold very close to my heart for the rest of my life. I encourage everyone who has the courage and the passion to learn and help others, to take this opportunity as a mind, soul, and life growing experience.
Katie Myers
Chicago, IL USA
The Amazon program we helped the family build housing for their chickens. We also cleared vegetation with machetes. We enjoyed the work and our supervisors were very helpful in giving us breaks and teaching us techniques.
We were also taken on an overnight outing into the Selva. We hiked to rivers add waterfalls, all of which were magnificent. We also ate a traditional meal of fish we caught ourselves and plants we gathered along the way.
As volunteers we stayed in the bunkhouse. It had small but clean rooms and included a shared bathroom and shower.
Our hosts were patient with our minimal Spanish speaking, very friendly and made us feel at home. They were very lad back and had good senses of humor. We enjoyed when they shred their culture with us.
Laura Lancaster & Garret Savory
USA
Thank you so much for this opportunity. I have had such a wonderful time here in Quito, an many chances to travel around Ecuador. I loved working at the day care with all of the children. My Spanish has improved immensely.
I absolutely love Quito and plan to come back. Once again, thank you for this opportunity.
Respectfull Submitted,
Alicia Corbett, USA
I just wanted to thank you (host family) for your hospitality and generosity during my stay with you and your family. You made all the volunteers feel so welcome by inviting us into your home and including us in your family’s activities. I had such an amazing time in Ecuador and know that it would not have been the same had I not stayed with you. I was able to gain an in-depth experience about the culture and the Ecuadorian way of life and now I carry with me a love for the county. Thank you again for making my trip so memorable I had a great time!
Jessica Schmidt
USA
I enjoyed living in cloud forest for 7 weeks. I became accepted as part of the community, allowing me to connect with the culture and traditions as joining the women’s soccer team was one example. Staying with my host family in cloud forest has been the most special experience I have had in Ecuador. They treated me like their own, feeding me delicious food and offering me to experience their daily lives.
Emily Turner
USA
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Catherine Walker
My name is Catherine Walker and I am a three-time volunteer with Eco Volunteer UP Ecuador. When I came to Ecuador for the first time three years ago, I traveled with my husband. Through the program, we had the opportunity to take Spanish lessons in the morning and work in an orphanage in the afternoon.
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Alicia Corbett
Thank you so much for this opportunity.
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Anastasia Kidniz - Abroad volunteer work Ecuador
The host family made me feel very at home and gave me some experiences.
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ANDREA BALLARD
The community project was amazing in the Amazon-Francisco and his family were very welcoming and made us feel like family of their own -
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Emily Grady and Rusell - Gap year travel abroad - Ecuador
Thank you very much for arranging the volunteer program for us, and I'd like to begin by saying that we had an amazing and rewarding experience.
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Emily Turner
I enjoyed living in cloud forest for 7 weeks. I became accepted as part of the community,
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Erin Steppe - Gap year organisations - Ecuador
The family that I lived with, obviously, could not have been better. They made us feel so welcome and wonderful.
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GHIA ESPINO
The experience was fantastic! And the people were great. In particular the coordinator, that we felt was invaluable as she took a great interest in making sure volunteers understood exactly what was going on while having fun.
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JANELLE DAVIDSON
The community project in the Amazon went wonderfully. I really enjoyed living with Francisco and his family. They were very welcoming and helpful. Teodoro was also very helpful to all of us with the project. Darwin was our coordinator and he always explained the work well and made sure we were safe. Thank you for checking in with us about the project.
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Jernee Montoya
"My experience as an Eco-volunteer UP was amazing. I loved working at the orphanage with kids.
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Jessica Schmidt
I just wanted to thank you (host family) for your hospitality and generosity during my stay with you and your family.
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Katherine Davis - Your gap year Ecuador
I've recently returned from one of the most wonderful adventures I coud have ever had. I participated in a 3 weeks volunteer program with home stay.
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Katie Myers - Volunteering in Ecuador
My volunteer experience was the most valuable, unforgettable experience of my entire life.
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KELSEY LUOMA
Me encanto mi estancia en Quito y aprendi mucho mientras trabajaba en el hospital. Doctor Escobar es muy buena gente y un doctor muy talentoso. El me enseno mucho de la medicina y del tratamiento de los pacientes.
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LETA OANIA & FAMILY
My family’s experience at young mothers, with the girls was a completely new experience for us. We were moved by the young girls’ plight and inspired by their resilience and optimism. We were encouraged to see that everyone, the director and each of the girls, worked so hard at their daily chores and were always happy to give us such warm and friendly smiles.
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Michaela Alissandrello - Volunteer south america
I just wanted to thank you for such a wonderful experience during my two weeks in Ecuador.
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Michelle Ma - Gap year travel - Ecuador
I had an awesome time in Ecuador. The hospitality and the generosity of the family made it even more special and welcoming.
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ANDREA BURGUESS
My experience was amazing I had such a wonderful time and honestly wish I could have am stayed longer.
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