Ecuador
Overview
Ecuador is one of those rare destinations in the world that seems to have the unique combination of natural beauty, intriguing history, and vibrant culture. Nestled along the Equator in the northwest corner of the South American continent, much of the country still remains wild and uncharted. It is home to the highest active volcano in the world, pristine Pacific beaches, and virgin tropical rainforests as well as ancient Incan history now echoed through the lively Ecuadorian culture.
Ecuador is marked by its diversity. Within a territory of 120,000 square miles, one can travel from sea level to 12,000 feet of altitude within a six-hour drive, visit a fishing town and see a highland village within the same day.
Social and Development Issues
Due to economic depression and decreased social services brought on by conversion to the dollar and increased privatization imposed by foreign powers, Ecuador is currently struggling to create a sustainable, community-based economy and espousing regional integration. Recovery and stability efforts are rooted in a growing grassroots, bottom-up movement to serve poorer, underrepresented populations in the country's development.
ProWorld’s programs to Ecuador can pair you with our established NGO partners or organize a group service project, where you will be integrated in community organized projects in the health, environment, and socio-economic development portfolios seeking resolution of social, political, and economic problems and offer you cultural and adventure excursions and full immersion and insight into this intriguing, thriving indigenous society.
Projects
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Volunteer Abroad
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Care for injured wildlife in the tropical rehabilitation center
Founded by a local indigenous family that lives on the animal reserve, this rescue center rehabilitates and rescues wild animals from the jungle that were often illegally...
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Team up with Locals to Educate Youth on Deforestation
Join forces with educators, farmers and citizens uniting to combat the slash and burn agricultural techniques that subsistent cacao, coffee and banana farmers in this...
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Help Weed out Invasive Species in the Galapagos
Description and Impact
As a result of the lack of fruit and vegetable production on the Galapagos Islands, boats from...
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Stress the Importance of Education to Young Workers
It’s a sad reality to see children, often as young as three years old, working upwards of ten hours a day in the markets, streets and countryside of Ecuador to support...
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Give Vital Love, Care and Attention to Children in a Quiteno Orphanage
Currently, 50 to 60 homeless children with regular and special needs are cared for in three residential care homes at this orphanage in north-east Quito. The orphanage...
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Monitor Rare and Exotic Species while Conserving Local Food Sources
Despite its small landmass, Ecuador is renowned for its megadiversity due to its variety of life zones, including: mangrove swamps, dry tropical forest, tropical cloud forest,...
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Restore Mangroves and Teach Conservation in Local Schools
Despite its small landmass, Ecuador is renowned for its megadiversity due to its variety of life zones, including: mangrove swamps, dry tropical forest, tropical cloud forest,...
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Teach and Play with Children of Migrant Workers
For years, the maltreated workers at Quito´s biggest landfill spent hours shifting through toxic garbage in unsafe and unsanitary conditions with no guaranteed salary. A...
Intern Abroad
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Restore Ceremonial Tea Use in Ecuadorean Culture
Description and Impact
Become an intern in Ecuador and join this unique project that works using a holistic market-based...
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Help Manage Reforestation Efforts in Areas Ravaged by Invasive Species
As a result of the lack of fruit and vegetable production on the Galapagos Islands, boats from the Ecuadorian mainland unload fruits and vegetables on a daily basis, and at...
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Learn Sustainable Agriculture in a Community Development Setting
Despite its small landmass, Ecuador is renowned for its megadiversity due to its variety of life zones, including: mangrove swamps, dry tropical forest, tropical cloud forest,...
Study Abroad
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ProWorld Semester Abroad students will study at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), the first private liberal arts university in Latin America. USFQ is located in...
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ProWorld Semester Abroad students will study at the Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ), the first private liberal arts university in Latin America. USFQ is located in...
Available Programs
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