Sustainable
Farming
in the
Andes
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The Volunteer Bay
An Introduction to 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 from
the diversity of its environment to the diversity of its people.
Language: Spanish
Currency: U.S. Dollar
Population: Over 15 million
Religion: Roman Catholic
Quick Facts on Ecuador
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 was the first nation in the world in 2008 to declare
that nature has its own constitutional rights.
- 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 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.
- Guinea pig is considered a delicacy.
- Ecuador’s economy is primarily based from the exports of oil,
,fish, bananas, and cocoa.
- 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 Equator is located
on the Equator.
Ecuador Today
Despite the fact that Ecuador possesses a growing economy in exports, oil, and industry, millions
of people still live below the poverty line. Many communities lack the resources and infrastructure to provide a high level of education to its children, practice sustainable business, and provide
basic healthcare. Its diverse ecosystemis often exploited for short term gain. Resources are spread
thin. The government and many NGO’s are dedicating their time and energy into ensuring a sustainable future for its people and country in education, healthcare, conservation, and enterprise.
What can you do?
- Volunteer abroad. Take your passion for education, conservation, health care, business or whatever it may be, and support a great cause. At The Volunteer Bay, we send our volunteers into credible
organizations in which they CAN make a difference.
- Make smart choices. Support local sustainable initiatives. Support local small businesses. Help
build a better future for the next generation. At The Volunteer Bay, we have partnered with programs
and organizations that pursue the improvement of the quality of life within a balanced support and
respect for the environment and its people.
- Donate your time or money. But ONLY do this after you get informed. Educate yourself. Many
organizations know how to appeal to a person’s empathy. If you give money to a begging kid on the
street, it encourages them to stay out of school. Handing money over to take a picture with an monkey
or iguanas causes unprecedent amount of animal poaching in the wild and animal abuse in captivity.
Get educated.
- Be not only a citizen of the world, but a citizen in your own community. Provide your hometown
with a helping hand by becoming involved in a cause you believe in.
Sustainable Farming in the Andes
Quick facts about the trip:
Project duration: Minimum 2 weeks
Project Location: Cuenca, Ecuador
Airport of arrival: Quito (UIO) or Cuenca
(CUE)
Activities: Sustainable work with the
community on a farm
Working Hours: About 35 hours per
week, Monday to Friday, generally 07:00
am - 5:00 pm
Accommodation: Shared volunteer
apartment or host family
Requirements: Volunteers do not need
to have experience or a college education,
but they should be interested in environmental conservation and community
work, be proactive, have initiative and be
team-spirited.
Basic level of Spanish to communicate
with locals is recommended in order to
maximize the volunteer’s impact on the
Centers and the community.
How is the organization involved with the community?
Volunteers live on an organic farm and work alongside rural families to support them
in their mission to implement eco-friendly agricultural practices. In this project, volunteers and the community work together to conserve primary forest, revive endemic
species through reforestation, use organic farming methods, study and monitor birdlife, and construct a botanical garden using native orchids and bamboo. Volunteers
can also contribute to human development efforts in the area by giving English and/
or computer classes to students at a nearby school.
Sustainable Farming in Cuenca FAQ’s
Background of the project and its aims:
The project covers a broad range of tasks revolving around environmental
conservation and human develpment. Local families are not able to fulfill
reforestation requirements alone, so volunteer support and collaboration is
important to implement conservation and reforestation needs. Volunteers
are fundamental in helping educate the local community in matters pertaining to the environment and more general subjects, such as English and
computer skills.
This family-run farm is located in the Andes Mountains, about 30 minutes
by bus from the city of Cuenca. The farm’s main objective is to develop a
sustainable farm using the latest technology while defending the rights of
nature. The overall aim of the project is to improve the region’s quality of life
and to avoid excessive use of chemicals such as pesticides and fertilizers.
Volunteers are important to help implement and maintain sustainable,
eco-friendly farming practices, which will generate long-term environmental awareness among local residents. Their main objective is to develop a
sustainable farm using the latest technology while defending the rights of
nature.
Sustainable Farming in Cuenca FAQ’s
What are the daily volunteer activities in this project?
Volunteers can share their experiences with farmers and collaborate with them to implement technological and ecologically sustainable improvements on their land. The activities will depend on the weather and the season you volunteer, but they generally are related to the following activities:
Nurseries:
- Collection and treatment of native seeds (twice a month)
- Prepare land to be sown
- Planting seeds and plantlings
- Germinate seeds and plantlings
- Weeding of plants
Fertilization:
- Composting plants with manure (Daily activity)
- Organic farming activities
Orchard:
- Planting and weeding organic fruit and vegetables.
- Sowing and harvesting fruits and food for own consumption (weekly).
Reforestation:
- Plant native plants on the grounds of the project and in the community (once in a month).
Other agro-ecological activities:
- Providing neighboring farmers with information
about implementing organic practices on their
farms according to the recommendations of agroecological experts and the needs of the farmers.
- Taking care of small animals such as guinea pigs,
rabbits, and chickens.
- Teaching English and basic computer skills in the
elementary school once a week, or longer if the volunteers can make a long term commitment :
(9 months from September to June).
Sustainable Farming in Cuenca FAQ’s
Accomodation:
At a volunteer apartment (shared rooms, up to 6 people, with communal space,
kitchen, bathrooms, etc). The house is located near project site.
Orientation and support:
Volunteers receive a comprehensive workshop on safety and security, culture shock,
and about being a volunteer in their project.
Airport pickup:
On pick-up only.
Other optional activities not
included in program fee:
Spanish language courses
Cultural activities (in Quito)
Weekend tourist activities at project site
Meals:
Three meals a day, Monday-Friday. Most meals are vegetarian, using organic fruits, vegetables,
meat, fish, etc.
[email protected]
Skype: TheVolunteerBay
Phone: +66817197200
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