Agroecology, Permaculture and Environmental Education on the Ecuadorian Coast

Join forces with educators, farmers and citizens uniting to combat the slash and burn agricultural techniques that subsistent cacao, coffee and banana farmers in this transitional coastal region routinely practice. Via an expanding education and citizen action movement in Ecuadors Eco-City of Bahia, teachers and volunteers are sharing a curriculum that focuses on sustainable farming and lifestyles, conservation, and recycling with the hope that the next generation will bring the knowledge home to help change the current environmentally and economically destructive practices of their parents. 

Relevant education in these rural communities is key to adoption of new organic and sustainable farming principles.

Volunteer Role/Skills Required

Volunteers with an high intermediate to advanced level of Spanish are requested to help assist teachers in  the school as this sustainability curriculum is rep;icated throughout the city. Particular knowledge about the environment is not as important as language ability (you will be trained and provided lessons.) Skills such as music, art, and ESL are also valued to diversify the curriculum in these underserved, rural schools.

Minimum commitment of six months for teachers. Other opportunities to volunteer with animal care and crop/composting maintenance at nearby organic farm are also an option for shorter term volunteers.

Dates and Costs

Opportunities are available year-round, though summer break (February-March) there’s less need for teachers. Volunteers at farm share group housing, with three vegetarian meals a day prepared from local gardens. Volunteers in schools in Bahia will stay with local host families.

Language classes available at additional cost to participant.