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Program Fun in Exchange ( Volunteer work camp in tropical beach area in Ecuador ) About us Tierra Sacra” NGO has been created to promote the preservation of the cultural and natural richness of our earth. One of the main problems in Latin America is the low quality of the education. Because of this we are creating and promoting different programs and activities in order to alleviate the critical situation of the people from our region. The main objectives are: To develop and promote the importance of ecology as a way to preserve the environment, we are committed to sustainable development balancing economic progress with environmental care and social responsibility. Encourage the ability of manage the English language among villagers of local communities to facilitate the exchange of knowledge through a cultural program with volunteer students from all over the world. Capacitate and transmit the use of renewable resources, reforestation techniques, rational use of water and energy, proper disposal of wastes and all other activity that aims to preserve the environment. Revaluate and transmit the ancient knowledge and way of life of the wise pre Hispanic cultures that were able to live in balance and harmony with mother earth.
The volunteer work camp takes place in the central coast of Ecuador, the tropical village of Montañita. It is important to highlight that the town of Montanita was an ancient settlement of the Valdivia culture. Remains exist of more than 5000 years ancient cultures in the nearby. The area is privileged because the sea provide many resources, and the tropical jungle behind complemented the needs of the ancient cultures. The town started to receive visitors around 20 years ago, but in the last 10 years the town had a sudden increase in population because the tourism industry started to operate. Nowadays the main income is focused in service and tourism. In this increase of economical activity is combines with a lack of a proper education of the local people who are the ones that are being set aside by the industry. Our association found fundament and the idea to start this exchange project.
Exchange program The idea of this project is to combine the teaching and intellectual exchange with physical activities such as Surfing, diving, snorkelling, cooking lessons and mountain biking. We have many years of practical experience and we are happy to pass it on and share it with the new participants of the project. Our work is voluntary, and therefore the resources are few. But the work is very giving and rewarding for all parts. The scholars learn English and the volunteers experience a culture that is totally different and at the same time they will enjoy fun activities. The setting is the beautiful and impressive surroundings of Equatorial tropical beaches. Besides all this, it is a great opportunity to learn the Spanish language. We wish to continue this project and will organise for young people from foreign countries with
English as
first or second language to volunteer in the project in terms of three
to six months. We are hoping for it to be continually and function
without stop.
The Activities The name of this project is “fun in Exchange” .The concept is to offer the student a modern and different option than regular volunteer work. The volunteer participating in this program will, in exchange for his work, receive many options for taking part in different fun and challenging activities with the other volunteers. Surfing lesson The surfing lesson takes place in the beach coast that stretches for 500 meters between the town and the point. Here we find an easy wave that breaks over a sand bottom, perfect for a safe learning experience. The three partners involved in this project are all experienced surfers. We have many years surfing many waves in Peru, Chile, Ecuador, Costa rica, Australia and bali. The surfing lesson takes place in the beach coast that stretches for 500 meters between the town and the point. Here we find an easy wave that breaks over a sand bottom, perfect for a safe learning experience.. The surfing lessons starts with a stretching routine to warm up and then continues with theoretical and practical work in the shore before going in to the water. The volunteers will be accompanied by one of us to make it a fun and safe experience. We assure you that after some lessons you will be surfing your first waves. In this program we include four complete lessons each week. Snorkeling tours The tropical seas of Ecuador provide the perfect surrounding to practice snorkelling. The clear waters and impressive coral reefs are abundant with sea life. The actual diving takes places in the beautiful island of Salango, situated 1 ½ miles from the shore in front of the fisherman town Salango. To get there we take a local bus from montanita 40 minutes, here we know a local fisherman that rents us his boat and takes us to the island. The tour starts with a briefing in all the necessary techniques and theoretical knowledge. We practice the diving in a natural pool that exist in this island were the calm and clear waters rich in seal life, offers the ideal surrounding to have fun but always in a safe way. We will provide the necessary equipment. The tours ends by preparing a delicious meal on board, containing the catch of the day. The diving instructor is an experienced spear fisherman and guarantees fresh fish. We plan one diving tour a week depending on the conditions of the sea. Cooking lessons The equatorial coasts are rich in fish and seafood. And as the work camp program includes complete meals, we will be more than glad to share our cooking abilities with you. The daily menus are based on fish and seafood mainly. We will offer consistent and delicious meals to each of the participants so they have energy to teach and enjoy the day in a positive ambience.
The equatorial sea is the breeding ground for humpback whales that love the warm waters. We are lucky to enjoy the visit of this impressive mammals from June until September. The tours starts in the fisherman town of Puerto Lopez where we rent a motor boat to take us offshore to go and find the whales that sometimes surprises us with incredible jumps, come and play and experiment at a close encounter. We will offer one whale watching tour depending on the season Mountain biking The Tropical Jungle behind the town is the perfect ground for mountain biking. It is full of trails that invite one to go and explore the neighbourhood. It’s a great option also to go and know the towns in the nearby area. We take care of the necessary equipment to have a fun experience. The program includes one mountain bike tour. Salsa and reggae party The town of montanita is also known as a party town, where people gather form all over the world and the party scene is good. So as part of the program we will offer a goodbye salsa and reggae party to the voulenteers. We will see to that the dancing abilities of each of the participants are in top, so we suggest you to start practise. The lodging The exchange students will be lodged in our beautiful house all build in wood and bamboo. We have a nice garden, complete kitchen and dining room. There are five independent cabins in the surroundings of the garden, all with private bathrooms. The learning As a part of the program it is necessary for the volunteers to have the basic knowledge of the Spanish language, in order to communicate and efficiently teach, we will complement this with intensive Spanish lessons. We consider 10 hours lessons a week a must so that by the end of the program the volunteer will converse without problems and enjoy the culture and experience of living in a different country. Students are encouraged to actively participate in classes talking as much Spanish as possible through guided dialogues and role-plays. The language instruction focuses mainly on grammar, conversation, reading and listening. Current political, social and cultural topics are integrated to add interest and increase knowledge of the host country and culture. Material students use in class, such as lyrics, reading texts, and exercises are provided free by the program, like a notebook and a pen as well. We would need to know the level of the students in advance. We will try to communicate mainly in Spanish in our every day life so it will be practiced intensively and also in our weekly evaluation reunions. Profile of the volunteer
Insurance and Travel Documents You will be picked up at the international airport at Guayaquil and transferred to the lodge. What to bring ? Documents
Items Clothing
Its nice to bring some presents to the kids in for the local school like pens, and thinks they can use for coloring and paint.
First aid kit should contain lip salve, Aspirin, Band
Aids, anti-histamine, Imodium or similar tablets for mild cases of
diarrhea, re-hydration powder, and extra prescription drugs you may be
taking.
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Whale watching