"At least 85% of volunteer weekly placement fees stay in Ecuador"
(See below for details)
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The top 10 essential items that every volunteer needs to have in their backpack
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An article about how oil in the jungle affects the communities as well as the environment
Ecuador Activities
Things to do when you are not volunteering or if you are travelling through Ecuador
USA Game
Want some light entertainment? Test your knowledge of American states
The Project / The Placement / The Location / Pricing and Application
Application and Pricing
Find out all the information about availability and pricing for the Arajuno Road Project. Read about exactly where the money goes and how to book
The Ecuadorian currency is the US$
Teaching Placement Prices
| 2 Weeks | 3 Weeks | 4 Weeks | Extra Weeks |
|---|---|---|---|
| $200 + | $300 + | $400 + | 4 Wk Price+ |
| £50* ($100) | £50* ($100) | £50* ($100) | $100 per wk |
What is Included
| Included | Option Extras | Not Included |
|---|---|---|
| Pick-up from Puyo | Airport Pick-up ($50) | Flights |
| Weekly Excursions | Jungle Treks ($10) | Weekend Excursions |
| Meals | Spanish Lessons | Insurance |
| School Equipment | Buy a Book | |
| Coordinator | ||
| Welcome Pack | ||
| Accommodation |
The Booking Fee can be paid in over 100 currencies and will be converted to into GBP£ (GREAT BRITISH POUNDS) using the exchange rate on the day you book. The stay prices are in USD$ (US DOLLARS) and are payable on arrival.
The minimum stay is two weeks, although to have a greater experience a longer stay is recommended. Placements begin each Monday, with stays ending on Saturday morning. If you would like to start on a different day please contact us before booking your placement.The application process takes around 28 days. You will receive a full pre-trip briefing and welcome pack upon application.
We may reject your application if:
- You have ever had any convictions regarding mental or physical abuse of children.
- You have any outstanding criminal convictions (depending on nature, please contact us before making an application).
- You have any psychiatric illness that may cause a risk to volunteers or children.
Payment
Each application is subject to a £50 booking fee. This is a non-refundable fee which is used to reserve your place on the Arajuno Road Project. Part of this fee is used to make a CRB (criminal records bureau) check. This check is mandatory, as volunteers will be working with children.
Upon successful acceptance to the Arajuno Road Project, the remaining fee will then be required. This is normally taken when the volunteer arrives at the placement in Ecuador, and will be taken in US dollars. If any volunteer requires to make payment before they arrive in country this can be arranged through one of our advisers.
Where the money goes
Great Aves (the registered company name for You Volunteer and the Arajuno Road Project) is registered in the UK as a non-profit organisation. As we do not make a profit we are able to offer low cost placements. Our aim is to ensure that as much or the money paid by volunteers goes to the project or is used in Ecuador and the local area.
Currently 85% of volunteer payments remain in Ecuador. As the project expands we hope to see this figure increase. Below is a more detailed explanation of where the money goes.
Schools and Local Community
35% of volunteer payments are reserved for the schools and local community. The money is used to supply uniforms, educational equipment, such as pens, paper, textbooks, and sporting equipment.
Arajuno Road Project
In-country Costs
This is mainly concerned with the costs associated with running the volunteer house in Ecuador. Food for the volunteers is also included in this cost, which is bought in the nearby city of Puyo.
Staff Costs
In addition to helping schools and local communities the Arajuno Road project employees members from the local area. Staff are used to help with construction projects, maintenance of the volunteer house, and co-ordinating volunteer activities.
Admin Costs
This is used for marketing, administration, legal fees and staff in the UK. Any money that is not used is put back into the projects.
The £50 booking fee is used primarily for CRB checks, which range from £16 to £51. The remaining fee is used for administration charges, marketing and legal fees.
