Volunteer for the Environment - Health - Education Notes from the field (impressions from volunteers)
The FCSF is a non-profit organization, constituted legally in the year 1994 by ministerial agreement # 002908 and whose members are in their majority inhabitants of the community.
The Foundation is concerned with conservationist and environmental principles, with sustainable development of the country and with the defense of the environment and nature, for which has signed the Code of Ethics of the Ecuadorian Committee for the Defense of the Nature and the environment (CEDENMA).
The Foundation offers opportunities for volunteers in communitarian services, investigation and conservation of the flora and fauna of the region.
The zone of influence of the Foundation is the parish of San Francisco, pertaining to the canton Muisne, province of Esmeraldas.
It is conformed by 16 enclosures, being the parochial head San Francisco de El Cabo. The population oscillates between 3500 inhabitants in a torrid climate region, with tropical humid forests next to the Pacific Ocean and which topography oscillates between zero and ninety meters of altitude.
The program of volunteers provides practical experience for people interested in investigation, classification of native plants, collecting of seeds and reforestation besides to promote in the population the knowledge and care of its environment through environmental and health education.
The volunteers would work with the community and under supervision of a member of the Foundation.
Types of volunteer work
Environment and research (Identification of plants, its classification, Bird counting (ornithologist needed), reforestation, etc.)
Social work
Educational (language workshops, participation in the process of environmental and health education)
Art and design
Architecture, Urbanism and construction
Health
The volunteers in addition will help in the different activities that the communitarian development requires, like for example in " mingas " or voluntary common work which is a traditional practice of the ecuadoran society.
The volunteers will arrive at a warm zone in almost primitive conditions and are expected to work independently.
Conditions for volunteering:
Financing: The volunteers will have to pay for their own expenses, including the ticket to Ecuador and costs of maintenance in the country. The cost of USD 350/month or USD 150/week includes:
- Reception and transportation from the airport to the central office.
- Downtown Colonial Quito Tour (one day).
- 3 meals/day.
- Lodging (in a house provided by the FCSF or with a family).
- Office material.
- Pc access in the volunteer's house.
- Administrative costs.
Volunteers must have their own health insurance.
Duration limit: minimum 10 days, maximum variable because the visa duration is 90 days but can be extended.
Schedule of work: the volunteer schedule depends on the tasks to acomplish, these are defined with the Volunteer Coordinator .
Skills: A university degree is not required to be accepted in the program. Volunteers must have interest in conservation of the environment or the fields related to sustainable development.
Requirements for the application:
The requirements necessary to be accepted in the volunteers program are the following:
USD 15 for aplicación (non refundable: can be paid upon arrival or by money transfer/order or by credit card through paypal by clicking the button below (note: you should have cookies enabled).
Application letter (indicating the period in in which you want to work and your motivations)
Curriculum vitae / Resume
Health certificate
2 passport size photos
Please send this information, with at least a month of anticipation to:
Fundación Cabo San Francisco
Programa de Voluntarios
Casilla 17- 15- 73- B
Quito-Ecuador
América del Sur
Or you can use the this form for an on-line application.
For information before traveling to the coast the volunteers must contact the voluntary work Coordinator by e-mail (volunteer@fcsf.org) or at the Quito office to the following telephone number: 2788061
There the volunteers receive all the information necessary to arrive at the site from Quito.
What should you bring?
Rubber Boots
water poncho
flashlight
mosquito net
Sheets or sleeping bag
insect repelent
solar protector
canteen
bathsuite
knife
sunglasses
plasic bags for dry storage.
The personnel of the Foundation will be always in contact with the volunteers from the arriving at the airport.
The FCSF is a non-profit organization, constituted legally in the year 1994 by ministerial agreement # 002908 and whose members are in their majority inhabitants of the community.
