*new project*: La Hesperia Nature Reserve

La Hesperia is a nature reserve located in the western range of the Andes at an altitude of 1100 – 2040 meters above sea level. The reserve covers an area of 814 hectares and is located in the centre of the Rio Toachi-Chiriboga IBA (Important Bird Area, declared by Bird Life International and Conservation International).  The reserve makes up part of two important bioregions: the Tropical Andes and the Chocó Darien – Western Ecuador, considered within the top five biodiversity hotspots on Earth. The station works in natural conservation, combating deforestation, protecting existing forest, restoring degraded areas and creating a sustainable development model that will enable them to support the reserve as well as offering a better way of life for the local community and those who work and live at the reserve.

The work carried out at La Hesperia is extremely important in terms of preserving the biodiversity of the cloud forest and protecting local watersheds.  Work focuses on protecting existing forests through reforestation, monitoring human activity (and its impact) and conducting environmental education. La Hesperia is also striving to become a model of integrated farming where agricultural practices complement the primary objective of preserving the natural forest. Combining conservation and agriculture will enable them to sustain the reserve and promote economic activities that are environmentally friendly and beneficial for the local inhabitants.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

At La Hesperia Biological Station & Reserve there are three different programs for volunteers: (A) Conservation in the Cloud Forest; (B) On the Way to Sustainability, and (C) Social Development, volunteers normally carry out a combination of all three programs:

1.    Program A: Cloud Forest Conservation
    This program is designed for volunteers with an interest in nature, conservation, research, wildlife and the outdoors. One of the main focuses will be on reforestation and learning about sustainable wood production. Activities include planting seedlings, maintaining the nursery and tree care. In addition to wildlife observation, tree phenology research, and trail maintenance.

2.    Program B: On the road to Sustainability
    This program is for volunteers interested in nature, sustainable agriculture, animal breeding, biofood and an organic vegetable garden. Volunteers within this program will be involved in a variety of activities focused on sustainable living. They will learn about production of organic agriculture to preparation of homemade chocolate, bread, pasta etc,.

3.    Program C: Social Development
    This program is designed for volunteers with advanced to intermediate levels of Spanish including an interest in education, social development, cultural exchange and working with children. The main focus will be using Montessori methodology to provide education to the students, while working alongside the staff and the community. You will be required to use Spanish effectively as the main form of communication within the school.

*new project* Monkey Sanctuary

   

Established as a rescue centre for wild animals (in particular monkeys), in 2007 by the Forest Foundation “Los Monos,Selva y Vida”.  This centre is dedicated to the conservation and rehabilitation of primates and has a species handling license issued by the Ministry of Environment. 

At the moment there are approximately 65 monkeys living in the sanctuary and they come from varying backgrounds.  Some of the monkeys were orphaned when their parents were killed by hunters, others were rescued from animal dealers who were trying to traffic the animals out of the country and others have been removed from families who had kept these animals in captivity.  There are 7 different monkey species in the centre (spider, wooly, white capuchin, black capuchin, squirell, tamarin and saki) and unfortunately the majority have suffered some sort of physical or physiological abuse.  There are also other wild animals living in the sanctuary such as coaties, gautusas, turtles, parrots and an otter.

The centre spreads over an area of two hectares of tropical rain forest and it aims to allow the majority of animals to roam freely around the area so they that are not kept in cages.  The long term goal is to rehabilitate the animals enabling them to successfully return to the wild.  Nevertheless, unfortunately some of the animals will never be allowed to return to their natural habitat due to physical and or psychological injuries they have sustained, in which case the centre aims to provide them with as good a life as possible. 

The sanctuary is also open for tourists to visit charging a small entrance fee that is the centre’s main source of income.  As animal welfare is not a high priority for many Ecuadorians, the background and mistreatment of each animal is explained to tourists, with the idea being to educate local and foreign visitors about animal protection issues.

VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES

Volunteers are needed to help in the following activities:

• Playing with the animals
• Cutting up fruit and feeding the animals
• Helping new monkey arrivals to adjust to the centre
• Protecting the more vulnerable animals
• General maintenance and cleaning
• Construction work; building new enclosures for the aggressive species
• Guiding and educating tourists about the centre’s work

Donation for international children´s day

To celebrate Internation Children´s Day, we hired a clown for the day and visited four different projects to bring laughter to the children of these projects.

SAN ROQUE

ESCUELA 6 DE DICIEMBRE

ORFANATO HERMANAS MISIONERAS DE LA NIÑEZ

NIÑOS DEL ECUADOR

New volunteer projects at Ecole Idiomas

As from this month we are working together with two new volunteer projects in Quito:

BICI VERANO 2011


Biciverano´ literally means:  Bike-Summer. This project has been implemented by Biciacción since 2009. The project aims at educating children and adolescents during the summer in everything they have to know to become a trained cyclist, a participant in the urban transport that is aware of all the social, health, and environmental benefits of the use of the bicycle, a cyclist that knows the transportation law, basic mechanics etc.

In Quito, the use of the bicycle is not common among children and adolescents; a so called bicycle friendly culture does not exist. Nevertheless, during the last decade, because of emerging problems in pollution, connectivity a trend has grown among young people to use the bike as an alternative mode of transportation.

The projects wants to share with you their mission and vision, believing that a change of culture is possible, and that through the promotion of the use of the bicycle as an alternative mode of transportation you can make a change, contributing to improving public health, road safety, connectivity, social inclusion, and of course contributing to diminishing the carbon footprint.

So come this summer to Quito and help with this project! For more information please write to us at info@ecoleidiomas.com

QUITO ORPHANAGE

For His Children is a Christ-centered ministry to homeless children providing care in a loving and supportive environment; striving to unite them with their biological or adoptive family; and advocating on their behalf to others.

The project considers childhood a sensitive stage in the psychological, emotional, and physical development of a human being. They acknowledge that each child is a unique individual and we seek to learn more about their uniqueness. They work to develop their talents and strengths so that in the future they will become responsible members of society who will exercise leadership to impact the lives of others.

FHC believes that adults and society in general should guarantee health, food, education, as well as physical and emotional security as essential rights, above all covering the child’s basic needs as a priority. FHC guarantees each child’s right to privacy and believes that each child or adolescent deserves to receive clear answers when a decision in being made that affects his/her life. In light of protecting the child’s privacy, we don’t allow you to ask indirect or direct questions regarding the child’s original family, the child’s stay at FHC, or the child’s legal situation.

This project could really use the help of enthusiastic volunteers! For more information please write to us at info@ecoleidiomas.com

Donating clothes at Baca Ortiz

Thanks to all students and volunteers from Ecole Idiomas, and travellers from Ecole Travel, whom have left clothes at our office for donation to projects after they left Ecuador.

Last week we have donated part of these clothes to the parents of children whom are staying at the children´s hospital Baca Ortiz. Some parents come from other provinces to this State Hospital specialized in treating children and are forced to stay for weeks in Quito without sufficient means. The hospital can help some of them by offering a place to stay and a warm meal and Ecole was able to help last week by donating clothes to those who needed it most.

Please keep helping us by leaving clothing you will not use anymore, and we will make sure that we donate it to different projects where help is needed!

Early bird promotion!!!

If you book in March in one of our programs for December, you will receive 20% discount in group lessons.

Don't forget to mention this promotion!!! Contact us: info@ecoleidiomas.com

New Year, new projects and a lot of work

Hello dear friends of Ecole Idiomas.
We are currently working in develope our volunteer work department. There is a lot of work to be done: planning, evaluating and supporting all the projects.
If you want to check out a list of the projects (some are new and really nice), click here.
Ecole Idiomas has helped more than 50 projects of education, community development and environment care and we are really proud of the results.
Thank all the volunteers that have worked selflessly in order to help Ecuadorian people!!!

Improving the department of volunteers!!!

Hello Students, Volunteers and Friends of Ecole Idiomas.

We are currently working in some improvements of our department of volunteer work. It is exciting to start a new cycle of work with new challenges, new programs and renewed energy.

Some of our projects have achieved the goals they were working for and we have to thank all the volunteers who collaborated with them during these years. Now those projects are working on their own, the conditions of life have improved and people have a good base to construct a new and better life.

On the other hand, we have found new projects that really need help. Some of the new projects are:

-          “Escuela 6 de Diciembre” in Quito (educational project)

-     "Chinimptuna" in the Amazon Jungle (communitarian development) 

-          “COPOCMU” in Puerto Quito (conservation and communitarian development)

-          “Hacienda San Cristóbal” in Galapagos (conservation, education and communitarian development)

Some of the improvements we are working on are: Activities and Deadlines Annual Planns, new evaluation forms for volunteers and projects, partnerships with diverse development organizations and much more.

We invite volunteers from all over the world to help these projects and others. Together we will give a new hope to thousands of inhabitants of Ecuador, protect the nature and support the creation of a new world.

Special Offer!!! Spanish lessons, travelling and volunteering in Ecuador in one single program.

Ecole Idiomas offers you the best chance to visit Ecuador in a really different way. And now, we offer you a really great promotion!!!

With "Discovering Ecuador" program of Ecole Idiomas, you will learn Spanish, travel around Ecuador and do volunteer work in this wonderful country.

You can choose block A or/and block B and add an extra program of volunteer work in the Galapagos Islands.

Discovering Ecuador

   

Block A: From the highlands into the jungle

Dates: January 22nd /June 11th /October 15^th

If you want to experience all that South America and Ecuador can offer, this program is perfect for you. Choose the part that appeals to you most, for a program of 4 weeks (Block A or Block B), 8 weeks (Block A and B) or, if you really have the time, 12 weeks with 4 weeks of volunteer work at the beautiful Galapagos Islands! It doesn’t matter which program you choose, at the end you will speak fluent Spanish and you will have gained a lot of special experiences!

The first block takes you around “La Sierra” (Andes) and “El Oriente” (Amazon jungle) starting with Spanish classes in order to give you the chance of take advantage of all the culture Ecuador has to offer. You will be amazed, not only by the wonderful landscapes and places but also by the people, their history, culture, food and hospitality. Quito and its worldwide famous Old Town, Otavalo and its Indian market which is the biggest in Latin America, Mindo and its wonderful rivers and waterfalls, are only some of the places that will enchant you on this trip. You will have four weeks full of great activities. You will be able to place one foot on each hemisphere and work along with an indian comunity.

Block B: Between the sea and the sky

Dates: February 19th /July 9th /November 12th

Meet the diversity of Ecuador! The second block of this program will take you through the Andes to finish at the coast of Ecuador. You will visit places where you will discover all wonders hidden in this magical country. An experience for a lifetime!!! This block starts when Block A has just finished. If you liked the previous block, you will love this new one. This part of the program takes you to several cities in the Andes in Ecuador. You will get to know the diversity of nature, cultures, clothes, and people. Afterwards, you will enjoy the relaxation at the Ecuadorian beaches.

You will go to two of UNESCO’s World Heritage cities and feel the adrenaline in a rafting tour if you dare. You will discover the treasure of the Amazon cloudy forest. You will find an Incas’ city preserved among the mountains and a surfers’ city where partying and the merry life is a part of the daily lifestyle. Take your hiking shoes, a poncho, a nice bikini, sun cream, all your enthusiasm and your photo camera, of course. Get ready… the adventure is about to continue.

Contact us for more information

An anniversary celebration!!!

ECOLE Travel and Idiomas are celebrating!

A few days ago, all the staff from ECOLE got together to commemorate our 10^th anniversary!

It is hard to believe that all that time has passed by when we still preserve our humble beginnings freshly in our minds. We started with just four people –we remember- and all throughout the years, all magnificent years, we have kept going stronger, getting more businesses, more students and more projects, and surely we have the will to hang on to our success and continue maturing, developing and expanding our services.

Relying on a current staff of 25 people, we have progressed and learned a lot on the way, and we wanted to express somehow our thanks to those people working with us, so we had a great dinner which concluded with a nice surprise from the owners of the institution, Lydia and Wytze, and everyone showed their eagerness to carry on undertaking a remarkable job as it has been done so far!

A new Spanish book was launched in Ecole Idiomas

Julio Awad Yépez, General Manager of Ecole Idiomas, launched his new fiction book: "Historias de Nénofir: El viaje de Nabîl" last week.
This adventure book, full of nice descriptions and a solid story line, is adressed to young people between 9 and 15 years old. Values like friendship, courage and intelligence are the central subject of the book.

Ecole Idiomas, a dutch Spanish school in Quito - Ecuador, offers Spanish lessons, volunteer work facilities, accommodation and tours in Ecuador and now, wants to suport Julio Awad with the promotion of his book.
Julio has writen several short stories, exercices, grammar texts and articles for Ecole Idiomas and for other organizations in Ecuador and other countries of South America and Europe. He is also the author of our grammar book "Enfoques: Libro Guía de Gramática".
Ecole Idiomas wishes him success in this new adventure.

For all our Spanish students and volunteers about the political situation of Ecuador

This is how the things happened yesterday:

In the morning, police and army started a strike.

At 10, the president went to the Head Quarters of the Police. He tried to discuss the new law about reducing some extra bonuses for promotions. The officers started an aggression to the president and he needed to go to the police hospital (he had had a surgery in his right knee last week).

Once the president was in his room, he was surrounded by some police officers who didn’t let him out. Thus, the president was kidnapped al 11.

All the presidents of South America countries announced their support to the constitutional order and the president.

During the morning and afternoon, all political parties expressed their support to the president and democracy.

At noon, the army quitted the strike and announced that all army staff support the president.

At 5 in the afternoon, the police expressed support to the president.

Therefore, only the officers who stood close to the police hospital were in deep troubles. They were surrounded by the army, citizens and other Police elements.

At 7, army and policemen went in to rescue the president. Unfortunately, one cop died.

At 8:30, the president arrived to the Presidential Palace, explained what had happened and the situation calmed down.

A political party was behind the first strike and tried to have advantage of the situation that the president was kidnapped. Under those circumstances, Ecuador had a “coup d’état” (change the president violently) that doesn’t succeed. Nevertheless, the government has declared a state of emergency (not a state of siege). This means that the normal line of power for police and army (President – State minister – generals - troops) will be shorter (President – troops).

The state of emergency doesn’t mean that people loose rights or things like that.

The following items have been done in order to keep our students and volunteers safe:

-       We contact all volunteers and students to give them information about the situation and about safety under those circumstances.

-       Ecole Idiomas gave lunch to the students and send them home in taxis yesterday

-       The office was closed at three

-       We call the host families and explain the situation.

-       This morning we gave the students and volunteers a report and some information printed from the Internet about the current situation.

-       We recommended the students and volunteers to stay home this weekend in spite of the calmness of the situation today.

Everything is fine and peaceful now.

Spanish lessons in Quito - Ecuador. Surely, Ecole Idiomas is the best Spanish School

Ecole Idiomas, the best Spanish School is improving its work. January was a busy month full of plans, technical research and modifications of our programs. Now we are happy and proud to announce that our new program has been evaluated for our clients with an A+ grade (95% satisfaction about contents and sequences of topics, 93% about efficiency, 90% about exercises)

Next year will bring us a lot of new challenges. We are ready to make the audio CD’s and DVD’s of the program in order to include them with the workbooks and we are developing our website and other Internet resources in order to give our students the best. Spanish lessons with Ecole Idiomas are the easier way to learn.

Rest in Peace, Warwick

This morning we received the bad news. Our friend and partner Warwick John White, better known as Waz, died on the way to hospital, after he was found bleeding to death on a city street of Budapest early on Sunday morning.

Waz went to Budapest representing Ecuador in a world triathlon event.

Ecole Idiomas wants to express our solidarity to Waz’s family and friends in this though and painful moment.

Rest in peace, Waz.

SKYPE Spanish lessons

Dear friends of Ecole Idiomas,

How are you doing? We sincerely hope everything is going fine.

We have received a lot of e-mails from students and volunteers like you. They have told us how the Spanish lessons and the experience of a volunteer work have changed their lives professionally, economically and personally. We are really glad to hear it from you.

Ecole Idiomas understands how difficult can it be to practice a language in a non native country. Besides, even if there is someone to practice with, it is not probable that that person can correct your mistakes and improve your Spanish skills.

Ecole Idiomas offers you the perfect chance to practice and improve your Spanish with no need of traveling, with teachers you already know and with the security that a company like Ecole Idiomas can give you.

Classes are one to one with flexible schedules. You will have a cup of coffee with a native speaker and high qualified teacher, maybe an old friend, who will guide and teach you.

This promotion is only for our ex clients: $8 per hour (the cheapest price on the Internet). Besides, you don’t have to risk with companies that maybe don’t even exist.

Let us know any questions you may have. We will be more than happy to answer immediately.

Welcome to our new blog!!!

Ecole Idiomas wants to give the best service and important information to all our clients, friends and people interested in Volunteer work, Spanish lessons and resources and tours.
In this blog you will check out our articles about volunteering, Spanish and wonderful Ecuador.
Feed backs, commentaries and suggestions are more than welcome.
Enjoy this space!!!

Contact us: info@ecoletravel-ecuador.com