ecuador - ICYE

ECUADOR
National Profile 2011-2012
Welcome to
Fundacion VASE-
ICYE Ecuador!

CONTENTS
3. Fundacion VASE – ICYE Ecuador
4. VASE´s mission
5. Ecuador´s location
6. Ecuador´s regions
7. Climate
8. Culture & Society
10. Reality
11. Religion
12. Public holidays
13. Economy
14. Government
16. Common phrases & sayings
17. Let’s Eat
18. The fruit bowl
19. Daily Meals
20. Volunteer profile
21. Special programs
22. Accommodation
23. Money
24. Volunteer Work Projects
25. Excursions
26. Cultural Activities
27. Transportation
28. Visa Information
29. Health and Insurance
30. Rules and Regulations
32. Packing List
33. Arrival in Quito
34. Resources
35. Contact Information

Fundacion VASE – ICYE Ecuador
Fundacion Voluntariado para la Ayuda Social del Ecuador (VASE) is a
non-profit, non-governmental, non-religious organization dedicated to
facilitate intercultural education and volunteer community service. VASE
is an Ecuadorian organization, officially recognized by the Ecuadorian
Ministry of Economic and Social Inclusion, resolution #0872 in July 2008.
VASE’s office is located in the heart of Quito,
the capital of Ecuador. UNESCO declared the
historic center as the first site in the world of
“Cultural Heritage of Mankind” for its rich
architectural beauty, which can be seen in its
churches, convents, parks, and streets.

VASE’S MISSION
JUMP INTO A NEW EXPERIENCE!
1. Provide volunteer service support for the elderly, children, women, indigenous
groups, human rights organizations, hospitals, schools, and community centers.
2. Implement intercultural education and inspire global citizenship through
international cultural exchange programs.
3. Proclaim peace, solidarity, friendship, tolerance and mutual understanding as
basic values for mankind.
4. Promote understanding and appreciation of cultural diversity.
5. Create sustainable community projects in order to promote social and economic
development of the disadvantaged communities in Ecuador.

ECUADOR’S LOCATION
Straddling the equator in
western South America,
Ecuador has land in both the
Northern and the Southern
hemispheres. It borders
Colombia in the north and Peru
in the South and the East. The
Pacific Ocean is Ecuador’s
western border.
The land area totals 283.560 km², including the
Galapagos Islands. The border with Colombia
is 590 kms. and the border with Peru is 1.420
kms. It has coastline of 2.237 kms.
At Mitad del Mundo – Center of the world, where
the equator crosses Ecuador at latitude 0°0°0°

ECUADOR’S REGIONS
Ecuador is divided into four natural regions:
The Coast
(6 provinces)
The Sierra
(11 provinces)
The Amazon
(6 provinces)
Galapagos
(1 province)

CLIMATE
.
Ecuador has very different
climates and microclimates. All
regions experience wet and dry
seasons.
Coast and Amazon: tropical
weather (23-36 degrees).
Sierra: Cool and “spring-like”
(10 to 18 degrees)
Galapagos: (22 to 32 degrees).

Ecuador is a
multiethnic
and
multicultural
country with a
population of
about 13.8
million people.
CULTURE AND SOCIETY
Ecuador's mainstream
culture is defined by
Ecuador's “mestizo”
majority, which is a
mixture of European and
Amerindian influences
infused with African
elements inherited from
slave ancestors.
Although Ecuador’s
official language is
Spanish, 11 other
indigenous languages
are spoken. The
principle indigenous
language of the
highlands is Quichua.

CULTURE AND SOCIETY
Family
Ecuadorians are known as family- people : the
family life plays an important role and children
normally live with their parents until they are married.
Families most often spend the weekends together.
Gender
Gender roles are different than
in Europe, placing an
emphasis on the woman´s role
in the household, which some
people identify as a
“machismo” mentality.
Children
Primary education is obligatory in Ecuador, however
only about 50% of the population goes on to study
in high school. Also, many children work on the
street as vendors, shoe shiners, or performers.

REALITY
Political instability in the past, the
continuous economic crises, as well as
the weather catastrophe “El Niño”
forced about 3 million Ecuadorians to
migrate to other countries such as
Spain, USA, and Italy. On the other hand,
instability in neighboring countries of
Colombia and Peru (and political
agreements with countries, such as
Cuba) has caused much immigration
into Ecuador.
Foreigners are generally welcomed and
respected by the population. Ecuadorians
are curious to get to know the “gringos”
(general name for foreigners).

RELIGION
• Religion in Ecuador is an expression of the different cultural
heritages in the Ecuadorian culture including the Spanish
colonization, the Native Amerindian and the Afro-Ecuadorian.
• Since Spanish colonization, Ecuador became a Roman Catholic
country. The Catholic Church still has an important place in
Ecuadorian society.
Religion in Ecuador (2008):
87.5% Catholics
10.8% Other Christian
1,5% Atheists and Agnostics
0,2% Traditional Religions
La Basilica del Voto Nacional

PUBLIC HOLIDAYS 2012
• 01.01 New Year
• 20.02 – 21.02 Carnival
• 06.04 Good Friday
• 01.05 Labor Day
• 24.05 Battle of Pichincha
• 10.08 First Shout of Independence
• 09.10 Independence of Guayaquil
• 02.11 Day of the Dead
• 03.11 Independence of Cuenca, Azuay
• 25.12 Christmas

ECONOMY
Ecuador has varied natural ecosystems that allow
the growth of many plants, fruits, vegetables and
crops. The main products are oil, bananas, flowers
and shrimp.
Deteriorating economic performance in 1997-98 culminated in a severe
economic and financial crisis in 1999. The crisis was precipitated by a
number of external shocks, including the El Niño weather phenomenon in
1997, a sharp drop in global oil prices in 1997-98, and international
emerging market instability in 1997-98.
In 2000 the government announced the adoption of
United States dollar as the national currency. While
debatable, it has helped the country gain economic
stability as well as a better image for foreign investors.
Nevertheless, Ecuador now depends on the monetary
policy of the USA due to its currency.
In 2001 70% of the population lived below the poverty
line; however, the situation is improving. According to
the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC),
approximately 425 thousand people left poverty and
another 197 thousand left extreme poverty between
December 2006 and June 2010.

GOVERNMENT
President Rafael Correa
Ecuador has been a democracy since 1979. The political
situation in the late 1990s and early 2000s was very
unstable, a condition which sparked three presidents’
ousting. However, there has been an increase in stability in
the past 5 years, since the election of Rafael Correa, who
was officially declared president of Ecuador on December 4,
2006 and sworn in on January 15, 2007 as the 56th
president of Ecuador. President Correa is the 9th to occupy
the post since 1996.
Since Correa assumed office, his main goal was to transform
the Ecuadorian political system through a Citizen Revolution
(“Revolución Ciudadana”) .
On April 15 th , 2007 Correa called for a national referendum
and 81.7% of voters supported the establishment of a
Constitutional Assembly, whose aim was to create a new
National Constitution. The new Constitution was approved by
more than 63 % of the population.

GOVERNMENT
Some of the most important political reforms that Correa’s government have
done are:
HUMAN RIGHTS: Rafael Correa created a Truth commission that
investigates State Crimes against human rights.
FTA: Correa did not continue with the Free Trade
Agreement negotiation with the United States,
arguing that this process would destroy
thousands of agricultural jobs.
OIL: The reformed laws establish a major
participation of the State in the revenue of the oil.
SECURITY AND DEFENSE: One of the most
serious challenges that this government has
faced is lowering the rates of delinquency. To
control this problem, the government started a
Weapon Control, and provided police with more
and better arms.
President Correa giving a speech on
his office balcony (Palacio Carondelet)

COMMON PHRASES AND SAYINGS
Canguil
Parar bola
Gringo
Man
Ñaño/a
Mande
Mucha
Pelado/a
Cuy
Cachar
Chuta!
Dele nomás!
Chévere
De ley
Achachai
Guagua
Pana
Farrear
Popcorn.
To pay attention.
An American or European person.
Guy/Person. From the English word "man". It is used in both genders
Brother-sister. It is also used for "great friend".
What? Do you need something? Literally the word means "order me".
Kiss.
Boyfriend or girlfriend. It also means kid.
Guinea pig. (Typical food in the Andean region).
To understand.
Shoot!
Go ahead.
Fun, cool, interesting.
For sure.
It’s so cold.
Little kid.
Great friend.
To party.

LET’S EAT!
Potato Soup (served
with cheese and
avocado)
Shrimp Ceviche
Cheese
Empanada
Hornado (pork,
corn, plantain,
avocado)

THE FRUIT BOWL
Ecuador is a paradise of fruitslet
your taste buds travel!
Tuna Mango Guanábana Pitahaya
Granadilla
Taxo
Tomate de árbol

DAILY MEALS
Breakfast: Bread, jam or cheese, fresh juice, and tea or coffee.
Lunch: the biggest meal of the day--soup, rice, meat, vegetables, and juice.
Dinner: Different options, but much smaller than lunch—
Soup, bread, yoghurt, sandwhich, and tea or coffee.
Volunteer eating soup at lunch
Host family making bread

VOLUNTEER PROFILE
Age
Volunteers must be older than 18.
Language
Volunteers do not have to be proficient in
Spanish before coming to Ecuador. You
shouldn’t have any problems conversing
after having practiced Spanish at work, in
your family and with friends for 2 months.
However, it is advisable to either take some
classes or study independently before
arrival as it will help with integration into the
host family and project!
Character
You must be enthusiastic and
motivated to work with people
that need your assistance.
You must be flexible, honest,
patient, communicative,
compassionate, proactive,
show solidarity and empathy
with underprivileged people.

Orientation
You will be taken directly to
the orientation venue upon
arrival to Quito. You will have
an intense, 5 day orientation
which covers the following
topics: volunteering,
intercultural learning, safety
and Ecuador’s culture. You
will also be taken on trips to
the historic center of Quito
and indigenous villages. After
the orientation, you will have 2
weeks (30 hours) of Spanish
classes before starting in the
project.
SEMINARS
Mid-term Meeting
VASE will take you on a
retreat for 5 days, during
which you will evaluate and
reflect on your living and
work situation during the first
months. You will be prepared
for the second half of your
stay in Ecuador!
Final Evaluation
The final evaluation will
consist of a 3 day retreat
where all the volunteers and
VASE staff will unite to
debrief on their time in
Ecuador, reflect their
experiences, and prepare for
departure to home country.

ACCOMMODATION
You will be hosted in one of the following ways
1. Living in a family: Host families are different, so be prepared to adapt to a
variety of circumstances (such as number of people in the house, income
level, etc).
2. Living in the project: if you work at the Working Boys Center or FBU, you will
live in a volunteer house.
Information about your accommodation will be sent to you about 1 month
before coming to Ecuador

$$ MONEY $$
Average Costs:
ITEM
USD
Hamburger Combo From 2.50
Bus Ride 0.25
Coca Cola (1 liter) 0.80
Letter to Europe 2.25
Bottle of Water From 0.25
Cinema Ticket 2.00-6.00
Beer From 0.75
Entrance to a Discoteca
DVD Movie 1.50
Free-15.00
Hour of Internet 0.40-1.00
Newspaper From 0.35
Shampoo From 2.50
Phone call to Germany
(minute)
From 0.15
Ecuador currency is the
US dollar (since 2000)
MANDATORY EXPENSES
Volunteers have to pay $10 for their
passport registration and $4 for their
residency card. In addition, volunteers
will spend around $50 USD on a cell
phone.
POCKET MONEY
Volunteers will be given pocket money
monthly to cover basic expenses.

VOLUNTEER WORK & PROJECTS
VASE volunteers support a
variety of projects in areas
such as: education,
disabled people, elderly,
gender, health, and
environment. All the
projects available can be
found in the VASE Work
Profile.

EXCURSIONS
VASE offers several excursions that help you to get to know Ecuador’s
cultural and environmental diversity*. Here are some examples:
TONSUPA
Relax in the sun,
learn salsa at nice
bars directly on the
beach and enjoy
delicious coconut
milkshakes, all
while learning
about the Afro-
Ecuadorian
community.
MINDO
During this trip you
will canopy in the
cloud forest, tube
down wild rivers,
swim under
beautiful waterfalls,
and prepare your
own chocolate.
OTAVALO
Visit Ecuador’s
most famous
crafts market
where you can
purchase
whatever you
like… time for
shoppers!!! Also,
you will see how
Ecuadorian
musical
instruments are
made and how to
play them and
take a boat ride in
Laguna Cuicocha.
COTOPAXI
Experience
the
breathtaking Cotopaxi
volcano, the highest point
from the centre of the
Earth. Hike up to the first
refuge, play in the snow
and bike down.

CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
VASE also organizes many cultural events
Social projects:
Every few months the
volunteers have the
chance to organize
celebrations to benefit
those most in need.
Salsa Dancing:
Salsa classes and then
a night out on the town
visiting the famous
salsotecas of Quito. A
great chance to show
off your newly learned
moves!
Theater:
There are many
exciting
presentations in
Quito, ranging from
the Indigenous
Ballet to historical
theater.

TRANSPORTATION
The projects are all close to your living arrangements, however, in most cases
you will need to ride the bus to your project. You will be given transportation
money from VASE for this purpose.
Taxis are fairly cheap in Ecuador($1 USD for a short ride of approximately 2 km).
The Ecovia in Quito
To cover longer distances (for example to
Guayaquil or Cuenca), you should use a
well-known bus company, for instance
“PanAmericana” or “TransEsmeraldas”.
These buses run several times a day.
Ecuadorian transportation system is
generally good, but crowded. Taxis run 24
hours, and buses run from 5 o’clock in the
morning until 10 o’clock at night.

VISA INFORMATION
0-90 Days: Nationals from US, Canada and most European countries do not need visas for
stays less than 90 days. Your passport will be stamped with a tourist visa(T-III) upon arrival.
90-120 Days: If you are planning to stay more that 90 days in Ecuador, you will be required to
have a 12-VII Visa for Volunteers. For the application you will need the following documents:
• A passport valid a least for 6 months after your planned return to home country.
• An application with photos.
• A letter or certificate issued by the host organization in Ecuador describing the tasks and
duration of the volunteer service.
• A copy of the document that states the name and
address of the legal representative of the organization.
• A copy of the Official Registry and Statutes of the
organization.
• Police Record (Depending on home country)
• Health Certificate including HIV test (Depending on
home country)
• Fees: Application $30, Visa: $150
You should generally start the visa process 3 weeks before your departure, since the process
can take from 1-10 working days. It is your responsibility to contact the nearest consulate and
ask for any specific requirements that they might have.

HEALTH & INSURANCE
During orientation, you will receive
information regarding your health in
Ecuador. You will have easy access to
Ecuador’s top doctors, clinics and hospitals.
Health insurance is provided by ICYE.
Volunteers pay for doctor’s visits, keep their
receipts, and will get reimbursed in their home
country. For more information, please read the
Health Insurance Brochure.

RULES & REGULATIONS
• I have read and accepted all the information in the VASE National Profile and VASE Work Profile.
• I have read and accepted all the information in the VASE National Profile and VASE Work Profile.
• I understand that I have come to Ecuador with Fundación VASE and I am officially a VASE
volunteer. VASE requires ethical, responsible and motivated volunteers. I will perform my service
in accordance with these requirements.
• I understand that I will be living with an Ecuadorian host family or in an Ecuadorian host project
and will be flexible to accommodate to their Ecuadorian way of life/guidelines.
• I will proactively integrate into the host family and social project´s daily life.
• I will be responsible in my work project, following the project´s rules, working an average of 30-40
hours per week, arriving and leaving according to the established schedule, and only taking
vacations when my project is not in session.
• A change of work project will not be made in the first three months. Changes can only be made
based on valid reasons (transportation problems, unsupportive environment, etc) after talking to
VASE and taking the necessary measures to try to solve the problems.
• I shall not seek or accept paid employment during my voluntary service program in Ecuador.
• I understand that I will receive transportation money only if my project is not within walking
distance. I will only receive transportation money for the time I am working in my project.
• I accept that VASE is not responsible for providing me with food, accommodation or travel money
when away from my work location during personal/vacation days.

RULES & REGULATIONS
• I will actively participate in the orientation, mid term camp, and final evaluation camp as planned
and organized by VASE and fill out the three ICYE Evaluations (at orientation, mid term camp, and
final evaluation camp) as well as a final report.
• I understand that I have 25 days (five weeks) of vacation time (1 year volunteers) or 12 days (6
month volunteers). I will take these vacation days when my project is closed (generally during
summer months of July and August). If it is necessary that I take travel time when my project is
still in session, I need to receive written permission from VASE and my project to do so.
• If I am sick and cannot go to my host project, I will call my contact person in the project to inform
them of my absence. If I am sick form more than two days, I must visit a doctor and bring the
doctors note to my host project.
• I will not use illegal drugs.
• I will make a strong effort to learn Spanish.
• I will always inform VASE and my host family of my personal traveling. I am required to sign the
VASE TRAVEL FORM, including my travel destination and departure and arrival dates, if I am
traveling outside of Ecuador.
• I agree that VASE has the right to send me back to my home country if I violate any article of this
agreement and/or Ecuadorian laws.

PACKING LIST
• A Passport valid for 6 months after your arrival back in home country
• All your pre-departure papers, including a printed version of this document.
• Small gifts from your country to give to people in your project, host family, and
friends.
• Some information about your country to share: for example pictures, brochures,
maps, food, music, books, coins, recipes, etc.
• Clothes for layering (as Quito can experience four ¨seasons¨ in one day).
Wearing shorts is not common in the mainland, leggings should be worn
underneath
• An adaptor (Ecuador uses 110V, 60Hz. Plugs have two flat prongs)
• Debit Card (if you bring US Dollars please change your dollars into small bills
$1, $5, $10 or $20 before arrival. During the orientation you will need maximum
$70)
• A credit card in case of an emergency (i.e. to leave as a guarantee at a hospital)
• A rain jacket/ umbrella
• A journal
• A flash-light
• Towel and Toiletries (soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, and sunscreen—
for the first few days— please be aware that you can buy more of these
cosmetic products at the pharmacies in Quito)
• Bathing suit
• Sandals
• Any medication that you take regularly (enough to last your entire stay)
• Rubber boots (only for volunteers in the project FBU—you can also buy them in
Ecuador for $8 USD)
Please do not over pack. Travel lightly, so that you can move around easily. Many toiletries such as
soap, toothpaste and tampons , as well as products such as writing materials, clothes and sports
articles, can be purchased in the modern shopping centers and supermarkets.

ARRIVAL IN QUITO
Arrival airport: Quito Mariscal Sucre (UIO)
During the flight: You will have to fill out the immigration and customs cards.
For the ¨Purpose of travel¨ and/or ¨Occupation¨ section, check off ¨other¨ and put Volunteer.
For the ¨Address in Arrival Country¨ please put the VASE office address and phone number:
Antonio Navarro N32-247 y Pablo Suarez, Quito / Phone # 222 7828
Immigration:
If you are staying for 0-90 days: You will be entering Ecuador on a tourist visa (TIII) that is
valid for your stay in Ecuador with multiple exits and entries. You will not need to do anything
beforehand, your passport will be stamped accordingly upon arrival.
If you are staying for 90-120 days: You will be entering Ecuador on a volunteer visa (12-VII)
that is valid for your stay in Ecuador with multiple exits and entries. When you enter through
immigration at the airport, please double check that they have stamped your passport
accordingly (the bottom left hand corner of the stamp should say “12-VII”). If they have
stamped it wrong (most common is for 12-VIII or T-III stamps) please tell the immigration
agent immediately.
Pick up: Once you have picked up your luggage, gone through customs, and exited the
secure area, you will see VASE representatives. They will be waiting with a VASE sign so
that you can easily find them and will take you to the on-arrival orientation.
Orientation: You will have an orientation meeting at the VASE office the day after you arrive.

INTERNET RESOURCES
Interesting Websites
• http://www.ecuador.travel/en/
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ecuador
• http://www.lonelyplanet.com/ecuador
• www.quitocultura.com
Official Websites
• City Hall of Quito: www.quito.gov.ec
• Ministry of Foreign Affairs : http://www.mmrree.gob.ec/
• Ministry of Tourism: http://www.turismo.gob.ec/

FUNDACION VASE
ANTONIO NAVARRO N32-247 Y PABLO SUAREZ
QUITO, ECUADOR
Phone:
(593) 2222 7828 (office)
(593) 9252 6051 (cell)
E-mail:
info@volunteervase.org