ProWorld Volunteer Programs in Ecuador

It was the first trip I had ever taken alone, I had never even been on a trip with friends before, only family. It was the trip of a lifetime.

Just in the moments my life seemed to be full of all the stress that comes with growing up I happened across a website that immediately grabbed me. Reasonable prices, terrific initiatives, and destinations all over the world.

I applied and in the next couple months I was suddenly preparing for a trip to South America. I was getting great preperation packages and step by step instructions to make the whole process easy. Everyone was so nice and quick to help me if I ever had any questions or concerns.

Already having some basic spanish in my back pocket I hopped on the plane and found my way to Quito, Ecuador. There I was met by the program coordinater for ecuador. She brought me safely to an already booked hostel and took me for dinner, where I had a minor problem with climate. Yet, after a good rest I was ready to explore the new and exciting country I found myself in. The coordinator connected me with other volunteers and together we planned a day trip for ourself, the next day an organized adventure trip together with even more volunteers. Even in just a couple of days I had experienced and learned so much and made so many new friends!

Soon it was time to make my way to the colunteer centre, safe on the bus with another volunteer and the coordinator. Everything was so easy with the helping hand. She stayed the night then left me and the other volunteer to make our own adventure. Quickly, we made friends with the people running the centre and other volunteers who had found their way there by themselves or with other programs. I have to admit the next three weeks were some of the best. I was provided a phone for my stay and was able to keep in contact with the proworld coordinater and the other friends I had made back in Quito. I spent the weeks taking care of animals and enjoying the company with new friends and the weekends meeting up with others in different cities. Having been connected with people already I felt safe enough to explore the country and do many exciting activities Ecuador had to offer. Canyoning, ziplining, visiting the thermal baths, bridge jumping, and checking out the local bars and shops were just some of the things I did. Things I could never have found had I not had the help of my new friends and a phone to connect with them.

When it was time to say goodbye and venture on my own to my next volunteer placement. I managed to get myself tremendously lost, but never paniced. I called another proworld advisor and he got me safely where I needed to be. Deep in the jungle I worked hard and lived beautifully. My morning hike even consisted of backdrop with a volcano and monkey's jumping freely in the trees.

Soon it was time to head back to Quito for the last couple of days. I was met at the hostel by my proworld team and he made sure I was safe and in my hostel. The proworld team gave me great safety advice and a lovely insight to local attractions like the best museums and the must see churches, they even went out of their way to invite me out for the night as friends. I travelled around getting every last bit of culture I could and spent some wonderful nights out before I had to say goodbye to it all. I was packed up and on the plane safe.

As I flew back to Canada, I knew my life would never be the same I had such a great insight to another way of life and a handful of new interesting people and their stories. Now I feel more accomplished, less stressed, and much more independent. And it never hurts to have friends all over the world so wherever I go I'll never feel alone. Had I never stumbled across the website I never would have had any of that. And for that, I thank you ProWorld.