The experience of volunteering is often one of the highlights of any traveler's journey, and Ecuador, with its huge diversity of cultures and geographies, offers some great opportunities for connecting with communities and worthwhile projects.

At Yanapuma we recognize that volunteers come in all types - you may seek to volunteer for months or just a few days, you may have a wealth of experience in a particular area to share or you may just be happy to help out in any way they can. Volunteer's desire to experience and learn about their hosts and environment may vary widely and their ability to adapt to the needs and the conditions of the project to which they commit themselves may also vary greatly.

That is why we are dedicated to working with our volunteers to identify the right project for them and to follow through, setting it up for them and accompanying them to the site, and ensuring that they get settled in. In addition we offer continued support to the very end of the project in case any problems do arise.

Yanapuma receives well over a hundred individual volunteers during the course of the year, and the same number again in the various groups that come from organizations, universities, colleges, and high-schools from around the world. Our volunteer and intern coordinators are experienced in arranging volunteer programs and accompanying volunteers through the processes involved in volunteering.

Yanapuma charges a one-time registration fee for volunteering to cover the costs associated with setting up your volunteer experience and monitoring the projects on a regular basis. Volunteers pay directly to their hosts for accommodation and food, and these costs vary from project to project.

If you are interested in fundraising for your project or community or for your expenses, please click here.