Ecuador Amazon Rainforest: Merazonia Elley Metcalf (Project Co-ordinator), Abi Hall, Vikki Green, Amy Luck and Sarah Richardson

Introduction Merazonia - NGO based on the edge of the Amazon Rainforest in Ecuador. Main focus - welfare & rehabilitation of trafficked, abused & injured animals back into the wild. Located – 250 acres of rainforest, near town of Mera, Ecuador 1 hour bus from Banos, 4.5 hour bus from Quito (int. airport)

Introduction Duration – 4 weeks (negotiable) How many volunteers does InterVol send? Usually group of 4, but up to 6 or 8 if negotiated with NGO early on

A typical day/tasks required of you Your day is very structured, with everyone knowing what they have to do via the rota board. Feeding and cleaning the animals twice a day (close contact!) Simple and quick cleaning chores around the living areas Various maintenance and development work on the refuge itself, which sometimes will involve heavy lifting, and can be quite strenuous! Opportunity to be involved in own project!

Feeding & maintenance

Support & Volunteering Fundraising, pre, post support Guild, Committee, last years project coordinator On-site support at Merazonia Volunteer coordinators & staff at refuge provide full training & instruction Working with other global volunteers, your group, staff & local Ecuadorians! Working with Amazonian indigenous animals Main language used at Merazonia is English, so don’t worry if you know very little Spanish

Accommodation Large volunteer dorm-style house Simple accommodation shared with other volunteers

Food, Facilities & Locals Amazing kitchen stocked twice a week, lots of fruit and veg! Everyone takes it in turn to cook nightly – don’t be afraid to try something new! Predominantly vegetarian diet Facilities Limited electricity – candlelit dinners are lovely! Kitchen with gas cooker (for making cakes!) Toilet (compost) Hot shower! The best thing to look forward to after a hard days work Volunteer house has games, table tennis etc Local town – Mera Very small town with extremely friendly locals Access to small food shops, bus services and internet cafes

Free time whilst on project Daily – volunteers get a morning break, lunch break & free time in the evenings after rounds. On site activities Visiting the animals! Walks through jungle Waterfalls to swim in Bonfires! Jungle vines to swing on! Weekly day off Stay on site or travel to lively Banos for restaurants hot springs, bars & souvenirs! Opportunity to do extreme sports in Banos

Finances Group fundraising target - £1000 Personal expenses Goes directly to Merazonia’s running costs – veterinary medicines, maintenance etc Support & advice from Committee & parent co-ordinators Cake sales, car boots, raffles, bucket shakes… Personal expenses Accomodation at Merazonia (incl. food, facilities, everything on-site) $120 per week (approx £75 p/w) Flights (£700-£1000) get in there early! Insurance (£50-£70) Vaccinations (dependant on what you have already had/and need) £30+

Finances – personal spending money Costs whilst in Ecuador! Main currency in Ecuador is the USD Hostels - $5-$30 (depending on your preference) Public Buses – roughly $1 per hour on bus– e.g. Quito – Mera - $5! Food - $2-$10 for a one-to-two course meal Beer - $0.50 - $2 Daily excursions in Banos/Quito etc – $5-$30+ (depending on what you want to do!)

Opportunity to travel – Ecuador! Before/after project Ecuador is a beautiful country so make the most of it! Quito, Cuenca, Manta, Guayaquil Mindo Cloud Forest Haciendas Montanita on the coast Native tribe trips Go further into the Amazon Rainforest! Otavalo markets Extreme sports! Volcano tours! The Galapagos Islands! Expensive but last-minute deals in-country cheaper

Ecuador!

Opportunity to travel – South America! Christ the Redeemer Galapagos Merazonia Iguazu Falls Machu Picchu Salt Flats

Animals!

Animals!

Animals!

Final thoughts Why you guys should go! No prior skills or experience needed – just a good work ethic and the enthusiasm to match A chance to live in the Amazon rainforest around gorgeous wildlife and nature If you love animals & the outdoors this is the perfect opportunity for you You need to be comfortable living & working in a team environment Gain CV/charity/volunteer experience Official reference from Frank (Merazonia’s Director) Travelling experience Incredible NGO We absolutely loved our time out there and can’t recommended it enough!