Amazon Rural Indigenous Education, Ecotourism and Sustainable Development (Napo River)

Located three hours by moto-canoe down the Napo River from the Amazon  outpost of Coca, the biodiverse jungle surroundings and innovative business approach of this Ecolodge are a living laboratory for individuals or faculty-led group  who wish to immerse in and contribute to the study and actualization of sustainable development, social enterprise, ecotourism, tropical biology, and relevant indigenous education, among other project areas. Further, proceeds from the low impact Ecolodge, located in the heart of the lush Amazon, fund a rural Technical High School that focuses on relevant curricula in six productive areas (see below – Role of Volunteer) to teach indigenous students how to create local livelihoods that conserve their endangered Amazon homeland and bring the Foundations “Sustainability through Education” theme to life! 

Volunteer Role/Skills Required

Educators, activists, environmentalists, and English speakers  are always welcome to help teach in any of the Rural Technical Schools’ six productive areas: inspire youth to create masterpieces made of trash in the Recycling tract, develop your inner Doctor Doolittle as you help breed the Animal Husbandry  program (from snails to swine!), help locate fair trade partners for the young artisans in the Micro-Enterprise sector, sow the seeds of change in the School’s vast organic gardens that give Sustainable Agriculture a good name, teach English to student who are working at the Lodge as Eco-Tourism interns, or help reforest the long exploited Amazon to breathe life back into the “Lungs of the World.”  The Lodge also seeks a long-term administrative assistant and groups to monitor, evaluate and improve upon their implemented sustainability programs. There are also opportunities in traditional medicine and for health interns (especially maternal health care) at the village’s Health Clinic.

Dates and Costs

Working hours

07:30-11:30 and 13:00 -17:00, M-Saturday

Project Availability

Year-round

Accommodation

Dormitory housing for volunteers, includes hot, running water, and electricity

Food

3 meals per day – Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner (prepared from local, organic gardens) shared with Lodge staff

Training

Pre-departure pack, on-site Orientation and project introduction included

Language

Option for on-site Spanish tutor and language classes at volunteer’s expense

Support

24 hour support from local staff and minimum Weekly Check-Ins with Country Director

Excursion planning

Staff will help plan activities and excursions, such as shamanic treatments or jungle explorations (some activities may cost extra)

Not included

Flight, Visa fees, Insurance, extra excursions