Volunteer reports
Dear Traveler,
I am writing to recommend the EcuEVP Organization to you as a facilitator of travel abroad programs. During the summer of 2003, EcuEVP (based in Quito, Ecuador) organized my trip to the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador to teach English as a volunteer position. I found them to be very thorough and organized in all aspects of the program.
When I arrived in Ecuador, I was met at the airport in Quito by two EcuEVP representatives. They were very friendly and took me to the home of a host family, where I stayed for two days until my departure for Galápagos. While at this home, all my meals were provided and everyone at the home made every effort to accommodate me and answer any questions I had.
When I left for Galápagos, an EcuEVP representative accompanied me and the other two girls traveling to Galápagos to the airport. When we arrived in Galápagos, the EcuEVP coordinator there picked us up from the bus station (we had to take a bus from the airport). We were then taken to the home of a host family, where I lived for two months.
The host family in Galápagos was great. Again, all my meals were provided, and the family was careful to always use purified water in cooking. Meals were very healthy and balanced. Because of the excellent food served in the house, I had very few gastrointestinal problems in Ecuador, which I had almost expected to have. Suffice it to say, I was well-cared for!
When I left Galápagos, I was again able to stay at the home of the host family in Quito. I wanted to take two days to travel to Baños, Ecuador, and Patricia Fernández of EcuEVP was great to set me up with a friend of hers, who took me all over Baños and served as my guide.
In summary, EcuEVP was a great organization to work with. I recommend them to you as a travel/intern abroad facilitator without reservation.
Sincerely,
Daisha , India
Dear Prospective ECUEVP Client,
My name is Gina, and I just returned from a month-long program in Ecuador through the ECUEVP organization. I am writing to share my experiences and an evaluation of ECUEVP and its facilitators, so that you might make a more informed decision in your choice of work and travel, whichever you are pursuing.
I am a medical student entering my second year at the University of California, Irvine College of Medicine, and during the past summer I wanted to do medical service in Latin America. After seemingly endless searches on the Internet, I found a organization offering worldwide volunteer opportunities , and as luck and fate would have it, I chose to do my work in Ecuador. The organization put me in touch with Mirian and Patricia Fernandez of the ECUEVP Organization.
From the time I was picked up at the Quito airport by Patricia until the time I returned home, I felt like I was in good hands. On my first day I received a one-on-one tour of Quito with Patricia and met other students who were involved in various ECUEVP volunteer programs throughout Ecuador, including the Galapagos Islands. Some of these students eventually became my travel companions, and it was wonderful how well we all got along.
For my volunteer project, I lived in the city of Ambato with an incredibly sweet couple, Jorge and Fanny Robles, and their family. They all welcomed me into their home like I was their daughter and sister, and always took care to ensure I was safe and comfortable. It was an amazing experience to see how their family lived and get a feel for the culture first-hand- Fanny gave me Ecuadorian cooking lessons and their daughter took me out Salsa dancing with her friends, just to give you an idea.
For work, I was interested in Emergency Room medicine, so Patricio put me in contact with Jeaneth Naranjo, a doctor in the E.R. at Hospital Provincial Docente Ambato. I was allowed to set my own hours, and agreed to work from 8:00-12:00, come home for lunch, and return to work from 2:00-4:00 pm. While I was there, I practiced my Spanish and was taught to do some hands-on work, like suturing wounds, performing patient evaluations, giving injections, etc. The pace of the ER was overwhelming at first, especially with my limited Spanish-speaking skills, but most of the doctors and nurses were very helpful and it took just a little pestering on my part to get explanations and learn a lot about practicing clinical medicine in Ecuador.
When I became curious about other departments, Dr. Naranjo arranged for me to spend my afternoons in Pediatrics, which I really enjoyed because the slower pace allowed for more thorough evaluations of the patients and explanations from the doctors about each case. This led to an opportunity to assist in Pediatric Surgery, which I also did for a few days, and it was absolutely amazing. The organization of the hospital was such that it was structured but still flexible, and it accommodated my limited Spanish-speaking skills and also my desire to see different aspects of the hospital.
It may sound like my trip was mostly work, but I did my fair share of traveling on the weekends. Other international ECUEVP students and I traveled to the market in Otavalo, La Mitad del Mundo (Equator), went out on the town in Quito a few times, and visited Baños for a weekend. Patricia Fernandez was very helpful in making my travel plans, and arranged for a private tour guide for us in Baños. She also recommended places to stay and eat in certain cities, as well as giving safety tips, which made me feel much more comfortable. Patricia also helped me arranged a trip by myself to Coca, a town in the Amazon rain forest, where I stayed at a lodge where an ECUEVP volunteer was working.
I was justifiably a bit nervous at the prospect of traveling alone- I’m 23 years old and had barely traveled outside of the United States, much less by myself! My family was very concerned about my decision, but in my experience, common sense and reasonable safety precautions kept me out of harm’s way. Overall, I think the trip really helped me grow and it was a very positive experience for me. I have met extraordinary people and see amazing places I never would have seen had I not risen to the challenge, and ECUEVP helped me feel safe and gave me guidance during my journey.
Ciao!
Gina, United States
To a Future Applicant:
If you are interested in learning about a new culture, immersing yourself in
Spanish and feeling the fulfillment that comes with helping others to learn
English, then the EcuEVP Teach in Ecuador program is the
right choice. As a past participant, I can vouch for what a wonderful
experience I had in the Galapagos.
I was placed in Puerto Ayora on Santa Cruz island where I taught fourth
grade at a local school. Teaching allowed me to become part of the
community and make a valuable difference in the lives of my students.
During my three months in Galapagos, I made great friends and experienced
incredible moments which I will never forget. The host family stay, which
was organized as part of the Teach in Ecuador Program, was fantastic. While
living in the family, I not only got an inside look into Ecuadorian cuisine
and culture, but I was also able to improve my Spanish which went from being
very basic to essentially fluent. Learning Spanish was an enriching part of
my experience and made my time in the Galapagos all the more fulfilling. My
family was kind and welcoming and I truly felt like I became a part of the
family during my stay.
EcuEVP provided me with a wonderful family, a rewarding
volunteering position and a way to become a part of the Galapagos community.
It was an unforgettable experience and I would strongly recommend it.
Sincerely,
Maya, USA
I couldn't have spent the last seven and a half months of my life doing anything better than volunteering in Ecuador. I have discovered more about myself through this brief adventure than I ever imagined. I made the choice to put college aside for a year to therefore travel and learn life lessons which cannot be taught by teachers or professors. From traveling, I have gained an international perspective which I feel is the most important quality in forming a well-rounded person. I am extremely pleased with the success of my first solo trip abroad, and I owe it all to EcuEVP and it's in-country contact Patricia and Mirian Fernandez, the two people who made this experience truly unforgettable.
Patricia and Mirian have helped make my first trip abroad comfortable, safe, and memorable. They have not only been there for me as a source of information or a helpful guide, but in addition as personal friends who have cared for me every step of my journey. I couldn't have wished for better people to rely on than Patrica and Mirian.
By traveling with EcuEVP I have had several amazing experiences, all of which being very influential upon my character. The most impacting experience was living and interacting with my home stay and my community. I not only learned how to live in another culture, but also how to appreciate new beliefs and lifestyles, how to accept new circumstances and people as they are, and how to enjoy the moment to it's fullest. My amazing host family played a huge role in teaching me life lessons as well. The biggest lesson they taught me was the value of giving and sharing with loved ones. Not only was my 'extended' family and surrounding community very welcoming and warm towards me, but they were the most generous people I've ever encountered in all my travels. Although I lived in poverty, I didn't feel anything was missing or lacking.. Through their every day actions, they showed me what little is necessary to have such a rich life.
My experiences with teaching were just as impacting. My students were phenomenal! They were as equally eager to learn English as they were to teach me Spanish. While I discovered a lot about the joys and trials of teaching from my kids, I also learned a lot from older students. Both teaching situations were challenging and fun in their own ways. I have always had an interest in the profession and this was a great opportunity to have a real and in-depth exploration.
After my four and a half months of living as part of a community in Rio Blanco, I traveled to an Animal Rescue Center to have yet another amazing experience. I volunteered at the center for 6 weeks and never tired of the smelly work. I discovered my true passion for animals. This rescue center provided me with a once in a life time opportunity to interact with exotic and fascinating critters in a close yet safe manner. Within 2 weeks I was offered the position as volunteer coordinator for four out of the six week stay. I happily accepted this position for it held a lot of responsibility which I felt I could handle. I was in charge of paperwork for all the volunteers, emails and phone calls to the center, and training new volunteers and monitoring their work. As volunteer coordinator, I learned a lot about the business portion of an organization and all the work it takes to run a private business. My time at the rescue center made my Ecuadorian trip complete!
I truly owe the success of my trip to Patricia and Mirian. From greeting me with a sign at the airport, to sleeping over for my first night at my host family's, to guiding me around Quito, to guarding my excess luggage, they been like sisters taking care of me. They have made my Ecuadorian experience the memory of a lifetime. I have been completely satisfied with EcuEVP and their wonderful hard-workers, Patrica and Mirian. I would recommend this organization to anyone, especially those traveling alone or for their first time. EcuEVP has provided me with a wonderful adventure that has taught me things about myself I couldn't have learned in a university. Thanks so much to Patricia and Mirian for EVERYTHING!!!
Jenny, U.S.A