Some Thoughts About Volunteering
Volunteers sometimes come with the wrong ideas about why they participate in a project and it happens that they are not fully prepared on the experience. Here are some tips and info to hopefully avoid this from happening.
-Things don't always go as smooth as they do back home, remember that there is a reason why they need help.
-Try to use your imagination and don't expect to get everything served on a silver plate. You will quite soon notice that the mentality and culture is very different from home.
-Respect that people are different from you.
-Have an open heart and mind and don't judge people. Remember that you are the one that are different while in Ecuador, not the Ecuadorians.
-Ask your local coordinator for help or an explanation when things feel wrong or you don't understand something.
-Come with ideas on how to improve things, you have a chance to change things but remember that it takes time and sometimes people might not understand how your idea could improve things.
-Be serious and stay in your project the time you said you would stay. Plane for vacation on weekends and after your project ends.
-Remember that if you want to bring gifts to your project it might be easier and cheaper to get them in Ecuador instead of from your country, ask the local coordinator for tips.
It's fine if you bring your MP4 player, expensive watch, cellphone etc but remember that those might cost several months salaries for many people so keep them for yourself and don't show off.
