THE
VOLUNTEER BAY
Volunteer at a
Bee Farm
in Ecuador
Immerse yourself in
The Volunteer Bay
2014 | 2015
Introducing Ecuador:
From the Galapagos Islands, where Charles Darwin planted the seeds to the theory of
evolution, to the exotic toucans, tapirs, parrots, reptiles, monkeys, and armadillos of
El Oriente, or better known as the Amazon. From snow-capped volcanoes to the lively
nightlife of the coast. Ecuador boasts one of the most diverse places on Earth. Grab
your Panama hat and explore everything the country has to offer.
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VOLUNTEER BAY
Quick Facts on Ecuador
Language: Spanish
Currency: US Dollar
Population: Over 15 million
Religion: Roman Catholic
Weather: Ecuador has 4 different regions- each with its own climate
1. The Galapagos has pleasant, dry, warm weather year round with temperatures staying around 28 °C (85°F).
2. The Amazon is hot, humid, and rainy. The rainiest months are December- June. The driest months: July- November.
3. The Costal lowlands, or Costa, is warm with average temp. around 26 °C (81°F). Rainy season (Jan.- May) has daily afternoon
rains, but boasts the best sun. The dry season (June- Dec.) is usually overcast.
4. The Andes mountain region weather varies by altitude. Ecuador’s capital, Quito, despite being on the equator, is cool year
round, with average high temp. of 19 °C (66°F) and average low temp. of 10 °C (50°F).
Fun Facts on Ecuador
Ecuador has the highest point in the world. Yes,
that is right. The highest point is not Mt. Everest,
but Mt. Chimborazo, an inactive volcano. Even
though Mt. Everest is the highest mountain from
sea level, Mt. Chimborazo, due to its position on
the equator, is the closest point on Earth to the
sun. This is because the Earth is not a perfect
sphere, but rather wider in the middle than at
the poles.
The infamous Panama hat
comes from Ecuador. They
gained the name ‘Panama hat’
because they were originally
shipped to the Panama Canal
for worldwide distribution.
Ecuador was the first nation in the world in 2008 to
declare that nature has its own constitutional rights.
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VOLUNTEER BAY
Quito, the country’s capital, is only
the second biggest city. Guayaquil, a
costal city, has the largest population
in Ecuador.
Ecuador has the highest number
of hummingbird species in the
world. Out of the 340 humming
bird species in the world, over 130
are found Ecuador.
You can stand with one foot in the
southern hemisphere and one foot
in the northern hemisphere because
Ecuador is located on the equator.
Ecuador’s economy is primarily
based from the exports of oil,
fish, bananas, and cocoa.
Guinea pig is considered a delicacy.
Quick facts about the trip:
Project duration: Minimum 2 weeks
Project Location: Near Quito
Airport of arrival: Quito (UIO)
Activities: Learning about bee-keeping
activities and therapeutical skills. Other
farm activities, including maintenance
and guiding tourists.
Working Hours: Wednesday to Sunday
8:00-17:00 with one hour for lunch. Monday and Tuesday free days for traveling
to near destinations.
Accommodation: Volunteer house at
the farm.
Requirements: None
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VOLUNTEER BAY
How is the organization involved with the community?
The organization’s objective is geared toward the protection of bees and biodiversity. The project seeks to contribute to the well
being of the community in promoting health and nutrition, as well as the production and conservation of natural resources.
The objectives at the bee farm:
-
Responsible usage of products from the hive.
Promoting the benefits of Apiculture and Apitherapy.
Training the community in biodiversity and conservation.
Teaching visitors the main aspects of bee biology and behaviour and the importance of its roll in the ecosystem.
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VOLUNTEER BAY
Background of the project and its aims:
The organization wants to bring light to the importance of apiculture and the thousands of benefits that bee products can bring to your health.
The project needs support from volunteers for its activities in apiculture, agriculture,
organic farm work and for providing information to the bee farm’s visitors. Volunteers
assist farm visitors (with guidance, interpretation, help in the kitchen and service),
tree maintenance and reforestation, flower planting and reproduction. Volunteers
also help with the small vegetable and medicinal plant garden. Volunteers will also
be involved in everyday cooking, preparing and learning typical Ecuadorian dishes.
The project welcomes volunteers looking to contribute toward positive change, for
team workers, and any person can offer their teachings or skills (i.e.- yoga, permaculture) in helping produce a more balanced and sustainable place to live.
Volunteers with experience service, cooking and tourism management, agricultural,
beekeeping, carpentry, researchers, and chemical engineers, who would like to make
derivatives from the beehive such as propolis, candy and mead (honey wine), are
welcomed to join. Even without any skills, the project is looking to use your helpful
hands while immersing you into bee culture.
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VOLUNTEER BAY
What are the daily volunteer activities
in this project?
Daily activities of the volunteer may vary slightly, but
generally the itinerary is as follows:
-
8 :00- Breakfast
8: 30- Garden activities
10:30- Fruit break
10:45- Service activities, hosting, interpreting, guiding
visitors, farm activities
- 12:30- Lunch and break.
- 14:00- Service, cleaning, guiding or maintenance
activities, building beekeeping material, helping
for visitors, etc.
- 17:00- Hula hoop, Spanish lessons, biking or horseback
riding, tea coffee and cookies available for volunteers.
- 19:00- Dinner
Team work is applied in the all duties. Volunteers rotate
tasks. Depending on the skills the volunteers have, they
may be also be supervisors of some activities
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VOLUNTEER BAY
Accomodation:
Shared or single rooms with fireplace. Shared bathrooms.
Hot water shower. Social area with bread oven, games,
hula hoops, and bikes for free time.
Meals:
Lunch provided by the organization. It includes natural and
healthy food, raw honey, fruits, fruit juices, cereals, soups.
Vegetarian and non vegetarian menus available. Breakfast
and dinner must be prepared by the volunteers. They have
access to the kitchen and appliances. There is a market and
stores nearby where they can get their own food.
Leisure Time Activities:
- One trekking and bird watching excursion to
the Andean forest project
- Hula hoop lessons twice a week
- Travel advice to attractions nearby
- One ride to the indigenous Sunday Market
- Spanish classes (15usd per hour)
- Physical exercise area, highland hiking and
trekking
- Star gazing
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VOLUNTEER BAY
Why The Volunteer Bay?
Diversity of projects and cultures:
Volunteers from all over the world have the opportunity to collaborate with us and our partner
grassroots organizations in projects in four specific
areas: animal care and rescue, conservation and
sustainability, teaching, and social development.
Responsible assessment:
Our volunteer programs and travel initiatives are
assessed for overall community contribution and
safety within sustainable development strategies
of our partner grassroots organizations.
Personal growth:
Experiential learning during volunteering provides
a person with one of many paths to become aware
of global issues and self aware of his/her body and
mind.
Inspiration:
By spreading the word about our networking initiatives with international volunteers and grassroots
organizations abroad, we provide a constant flow
of inspiring moments and incite action.
Our partner grassroots organizations:
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VOLUNTEER BAY
In our destinations, we partner with small local organizations pursuing the improvement of the
quality of life of a community within a balanced support and respect to the environment, human
rights, and cultural heritage.
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VOLUNTEER BAY
Travel is a full-body learning experience, taken in through our senses and our mind. We observe
and learn from the beauty of our planet, people, culture and arts with curiosity, empathy, and respect. Volunteering assignments abroad provide us with experiential learning and multicultural
exchange that create awareness of global issues and brings positive change to both volunteers and
local communities.
- - The Volunteer Bay - -
THE
VOLUNTEER BAY
2130 Harrow Gate Dr.
Inverness, IL 60010, USA
[email protected]
Phone: (+1) 224-703-9479
(+1) 847-721-5768
www.thevoluteerbay.com