Ecuador

Trip Reports:
Trip Report - June 2008 by Stefania Tamburrino (Dental Student)
Trip Report - June 2007 by Shamim Moslemi (Dental Student)
Trip Report - November 2007 by Anil Purohit, MD (Infectious Diseases Physician)
Trip Report - February - April 2008 by Andi Michels (Dental Studdent) | German Version

Country Information:

• Full Name: Republic of Ecuador
• Capital City: Quito
• Language: Spanish, Quechua
• Area: 256,370 sq km, 98,985 sq mi
• Population: 13,625,000
• People: 65% Mestizo, 25% Amerindian, 7% White, 3% Black
• Religion: >90% Roman Catholic
• Currency: US Dollar (USD)

Volunteer Description:
1) Voz Andes Hospital (Quito):
Opportunities for clinical teaching and medical caravan outreach services.

2) Fundacion FOVISA clinic (Quito)

Esmeralda, an obstetric nurse, heads an MCH-type clinic in the South of Quito called the Fundacion FOVISA (stands for Obstetrics, Life and Health Foundation).  
A typical day at the clinic could include delivery of baby, prenatal care, attention to newborns, eco exams. She says there are about 5 births over a 2 week period, so should have chance to attend one if a volunteer is there for 2 weeks.

At FOVISA clinic there are 32 professionals:

• 10 doctors different specialties
• 18 obstetrics
• 4 nurses

3) Isla Isabella, Galapagos Islands  (Please see Public Health Report)
We have a specific and urgent need for an experienced OB/GYN, a General Surgeon, and a Pediatrician on Isabela Island. They currently evacuate, on a 3 hour boat ride , sick pregnant women, fragile newborns and any other emergency cases. Many incorrectly diagnosed inhabitants unnessesarily die while others are unnessesarily evacuated to the mainland.

All other volunteers, including medical students, dental students and all trainable volunteers are welcomed and appreciated.

There is currently a sub-centro health clinic on Isabela. The director, and only doctor, is neither qualified nor experienced to handle all the medical needs of a growing population of over 2,500 locals. In addition to the local population, there is often a need to treat the tourists that visit the Galapagos National Park daily, the majority of which are senior citizens.

Facilities available:

• Ultrasound
• Incubator
• X-ray
• Operating room

There is a lack of a professional with the knowledge to correctly use and operate the above equipment. As there is no surgeon the operating theatre is rarely used.

The number of patients will depend on the specialty of each volunteer. A GP physician would be busiest.
Any qualified OB/GYN would be a wonderful addition to the island and could be expected to examine all the pregnant women and women in general on the island of 2,500 inhabitants.

The Pediatrician would stay busy as the birth rate on the islands is higher than the national average.

4) Machachi Volunteering:
A rural clinic about one hour from Quito in and near the small town of Machachi, where there is an opportunity to work with traditional midwives and the Red Cross clinic. This opportunity is coordinated with the Red Cross and the patients will be indigenous natives and other types of people too.

Up to 4 medical volunteers can be accommodated in the Quito and Machala area. Bus fare to Machachi would be probably only a dollar or two.

In Machachi : 15 patients per day are treated, but in the weekend, numbers typically surge to 200 people. In Machachi, there are 4 doctors, 2 obstetrics, 2 nurses, plus Red Cross professionals. The medical/dental equipment are only basic equipment, so any portable equipment in both dental and medical specialties would be appreciated.

5) Isinlivi:
Health care volunteering services will be provided in different rural clinics in an indigenous native village in Isinlivi. The clinic is just on the outside the village and has 1 local physician and 1 local dentist.

There are opportunities for physicians and/or nurses to train nurses and other health care providers in clinical medical education.

There are opportunities for non-clinical volunteers to assist the dentist and doctor chairside. Teams are encouraged to apply.

6) Misahualli Volunteering:
Puerto Misahualli is a small village located between the river Napo and the river Misahualli. Misahualli used to be the main gateway into the orient when Tena and Coca where not yet connected by road. Now Misahualli is mainly focussed on tourism and offers many different possibilities for jungle tours. Besides the tours going into the jungle you can visit the butterfly garden in Misahualli, see the monkeys running around at the central plaza, visit local indigenous communities and explore different possibilities for volunteer work.

The population of Misahualli is a mixture of indigenous people and mestizos (mix of indigenous and Spanish people). In the village itself live about 700 people and you can find different hostel, like hostel Shaw, restaurant and cafés, for example the Ekokafé. There is a phone office, a medical centre and a police and marine post. Misahualli is located at an altitude of 450 meters above sea level. Because of it’s location the flora and fauna in this area are abundant. The village also has a sandy beach on the river, right outside town where you can go for a swim in the Rio Misahualli. The Rio Napo is accessible by canoes and offers excellent tourism opportunities.

Location: Misahualli is located 200 kilometres from Quito. Everyday there are direct busses Quito-Misahualli at 11.30 am and Misahualli-Quito at 08.30 am. If you want to travel at another time you can always catch any of the frequent busses that go to and from Tena and from Tena to and from Misahualli.

The working hours of the centre are normally from 08.30-12.00 and from 14.30 to 16.00. During the week there are not too many patients but in the weekend they are very busy with 40 a day.
Volunteers don't take breaks on weekend days. So volunteers would work in the weekends and take off 2 days during the week.

We have decided it is best to have 2 dental volunteers maximum here maximum, 1 assistant to each of the 2 dentists.

In the clinic they have basic dental supplies but no x-rays. Procedures:

• Fillings
• Extractions
• Cleanings/prophylaxis
• Other basic treatments
• Oral hygiene education at local schools

Volunteers that wish to fundraise prior to arriving at this location can also bring any of their own dental materials/supplies they wish to use (composites, endodontic material, and any other product such as toothbrushes that can be fundraised from local companies/organizations). Most busy days are in the weekend when people come from all the communities to Misahualli.

During the week volunteers might be able to go to different communities in the jungle to provide village care. Misahualli is on the edge of the jungle, close to a place called Tena, in the East of Ecuador. The climate is very hot and humid and malaria pills are probably necessary.

Requirements:
The Republic of Ecuador requires the following documentation prior to any health professional volunteering:
• All volunteers must be able to speak some Spanish as very few patients/local health staff members can speak English. (A one week crash course Spanish class in Quito can be arranged beforehand for those who cannot speak Spanish)
• Volunteers staying for less than 6 months can obtain a tourist visa for entry into Ecuador.

Fees:

Volunteers to Isinlivi / Misahualli:
Volunteers are responsible for their flight accomodations and personal expenses.

For volunteers to Isinlivi only:
Most volunteers will stay at Hostel Llulu Llama at a reduced cost, or possibly in the local school at no charge (not guaranteed/no hot water at school/cold conditions).

Prices are:
Double: $9.00 per person,
Semi-private: $7.00 per person,
Dorm: $6.00 per person,
Dinner: $6.00 and breakfast $3.50.

These prices do not include 12% tax. The local school has Volunteers staying for 1 month or more, will pay a set $280/month for food and shared room lodging. From the Airport volunteers should go to the main Quito bus station and take a direct bus to Latacunga. From Latacunga there is a direct bus to Isinlivi every day.

For volunteers to Misahualli:
Health centre is quite new, a brick building, with 2 rooms for ob/gyns, 2 dentists, 1 general physician, 1 pediatrician. One week stay with food in Hostal Shaw is $90.00

Volunteers to Isla Isabella, Galapagos Islands:
Concerned private citizens with a home on Isabela Island offer free temporary housing for the volunteers. We also work closely with the Ecuatorian Government and can facilitate necessary permits, agreements with the Ministry of Health and assorted logistics in the Galapagos Islands. The group of citizens is in the process of forming a NGO dedicated to Isabela island. The volunteer coordinators are willing to offer FREE temporary housing to all volunteers until November 30th, 2008 (upon availability) at their beautiful 6 bedroom beachfront home on Isabela Island.

Ground transportation costs will be non-existent in the small town, with its sandy streets, of Puerto Villamil, Isabela. Lunch and dinner can be purchased on a monthly basis at many local, small, restaurants of their choice. The monthly charge for 2 meals is under $150. The volunteers will be expected to pay, or find own funding, for airfare to the island, food and daily living expenses. The housing will be provided free of charge through November 30, 2008. (Question over the continuation of this needs to be confirmed (as of August 2009)).

Volunteers to Voz Andes Hospital
Fees will be communicated on a per person basis. Costs will be for housing, food, etc.

Volunteers to Fundacion FOVISA
There is an electric trollybus stop right near the clinic, 25 cents fare from all the way from the north, where volunteers might prefer to be housed. Hostels around the clinic are plentiful and cost about $15/night. They can be booked upon arrival. If less than 2 volunteers are at FOVISA at any one time, FOVISA will house up to 2 volunteers for free at FOVISA.

Volunteers to Machachi
The hostel is very close to the clinic, and it costs 10 dollars per night per person.

Quito Spanish Classes
Prices subject to change and are operated by a separate organization. 1 week of 20 hours private classes with host family: $320,00

• 1 week of 20 hours private classes with host family: $320,00
• 2 weeks of 40 hours private classes with host family: $640,00
• 3 weeks of 60 hours private classes with host family: $960,00
• 4 weeks of 80 private classes with host family: $1280,00
• 1 week of 20 hours group classes with host family: $270,00
• 2 weeks of 40 hours group classes with host family: $540,00
• 3 weeks of 60 hours private/group classes with host family: $810,00
• 4 week of 80 hours private/group classes with host family: $1080,00
• 1 week of 20 hours private classes with hostel: $265,00
• 2 weeks of 40 hours private classes with hostel: $530,00
• 3 weeks of 60 hours private classes with hostel: $795,00
• 4 weeks of 80 hours private classes with hostel: $1060,00
• 1 week of 20 hours group classes with hostel: $215,00
• 2 weeks of 40 hours group classes with hostel: $430,00
• 3 weeks of 60 hours group classes with hostel: $645,00
• 4 week of 80 hours group classes with hostel: $860,00 • When student wants 30 hours a week

Spanish classes that’s possible for:

• $90,00 for 10 hours extra a week private classes
• $65,00 for 10 hours extra a week group classes
• Groups are max. 4 students

Included:
• Information package
• Special medical teaching material
• Weekly drink with all students
• Weekly salsa class.
• All materials necessary for the classes.
• Certificate after finishing the classes.

Excluded:
Administration costs $15.00

Itinerary:
• Trip duration - 1 week to 1 year
• Days of departure - flexible dates throughout 2007
Apply now

How Do I Apply?
Follow this 3 step process:
1. Create an account and then login. Next Fill out the Online Application.
2. Next, Print/Fill out the Paper form (PDF or DOC) and mail it to us with any supporting documents.
3. Upon receipt of your materials, we will process your application, obtain necessary work permits and deploy you to your volunteering site. Filling out the volunteering form is not a guarantee of placement, but we do try to accommodate as many volunteers as possible during the times you request. Please remember you will have to pay your own visa, temporary licensure or other governmental fees necessary. In the mean time, please gain the latest recommended immunizations
US Citizens: Follow CDC Guidelines | UK Citizens: Follow NHS Guidelines | Other Citizens: Follow Local Guidelines