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

2. 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)

3. 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

4. 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!

5. Feeding & maintenance

6. 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

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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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+

11. 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 - $ $2
Daily excursions in Banos/Quito etc – $5-$30+ (depending on what you want to do!)

12. 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

13. Ecuador!

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

15. Animals!

16. Animals!

17. Animals!

18. 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!