"One of the coolest things I've done in all my travels is to volunteer in Ecuador. We built 3 self composting toilets in 2 different villages. I can't say that I had done a whole lot of manual labor and it wasn't a walk in the park but it was great fun to do something completely different from your everyday norm. It was so rewarding to be doing something that is going to make such a huge difference in the lives of people who really need our help."
- Linda Gerow

The idea for the program was born in May 2005 when Volunteer Abroad hosted a group of students from Queens University who researched the sanitation practices and conditions in 18 indigenous communities in the Amazonian Napo Province in Ecuador. This team of Canadians collected and examined fecal samples, interviewed and took medical histories of the people that live in those communities. The results were overwhelming: out of 1682 people who participated in the study, 78% were chronically malnourished, 45% were suffering from chronic stomach problems and 43% experienced chronic headaches - most likely linked to a high prevalence of parasites. The latter two statistics indicate an alarming need for proper sanitation infrastructures and education in this Amazon region!

A bit about Volunteer Abroad

Volunteer Abroad is owned by the Canadian Federation of Students (a not-for-profit student organization founded in 1981 that currently unites more than 450,000 colleges and students across Canada). As part of this student movement, Volunteer Abroad connects motivated people with not-for-profit organizations, communities and government agencies in need of assistance around the world.

Participants come from all types of backgrounds. Students have integrated their volunteering efforts into their curriculum earning credits at their university, college or high school, while others have been professionals, gap year students or recent retirees looking to take some time off and offer their skills and knowledge to those who need it.

We provide real programs for real volunteers.

Countries where programs are available: Nepal, Ghana, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Peru, Tanzania
Placement types: Teaching, Social, Building, Conservation, Medical
How can you get involved or learn more? Contact your local Adventure Travel Company office or visit Volunteer Abroad.

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