Mind The Gap

A high level of spoken and written Spanish is required to volunteer on this programme as well as a minimum of 3 years studying medicine at university. 

We request that participants stay for at least two weeks, and we encourage you to stay for longer if possible. We have found that volunteers who stay for the minimum are just getting comfortable when it’s time to leave. 

Our Volunteer Programme operates year-round. 

We are also looking to fill the following permanent volunteer positions at Yachana High School: 

• English Teacher (min 1 year) 
• Computer Teacher – IT and Web design (min 1 year) 
• Communications Person (web page, blog, School to School interface) (min 6 months) 
• Assistant for the development area (money raising, sponsorship programme, among others) (min 6 months) 
• Multi media person (video, editing, podcasting) (min 6 months) 
• Bio fuel production specialist (min 1 year)

For further details of all these specialist volunteer opportunities, please contact mindthegap. 

For our volunteers

For the community

• Provide an invaluable medical resource to the river communities of the Rio Napo
• Improve the quality of health care to isolated jungle communities
• Educate the wider communities on health care issues, such as sexual health, alcohol and substance abuse and importance of clean drinking water

As this programme is of an undefined period of time it is up to you to decide how much time you have spare to help the community of Mondana.

Please contact mindthegap and we can put together a bespoke itinerary for you, tailored to your timeframe. To give you an idea though, here is a sample itinerary.

Day 1 

Arrive into Quito and transfer to city centre twin share B&B accommodation. Welcome dinner and introduction to programme. (Volunteer arrivals suggest being before 1500)  

Day 2  (meal allowance provided)

Breakfast followed by city-sightseeing tour of Quito highlights with local guide and excursion to Mitad del Mundo - the Ecuator.                                        

Day 3  (meal allowance provided)

Breakfast & private transfer by bus over the Andes, and motorised canoe up the Rio Napo to project accommodation at Yachana Eco-lodge. Orientation of area and visit to Mondana with guide. Introduction to clinic and duty staff.                   

Day 4 - 25 (excluding weekends)

PROJECT DAYS - 0800 to 1700, typically comprising daily drop in GP clinics for the surrounding communities, helping deal with their medical needs. Teach sexual education and substance abuse to the students at the nearby Yachana Colegio.

N.B: Changes to activities may occur subject to clinical needs of community and emergencies that may occur in the community. 

Day 26

Day of leisure at Yachana Eco-lodge and its beautiful surroundings

Day 27 (evening meal allowance provided) 

Departure day from Yachana Foundation. Private transfer by motorized canoe and bus to Quito.

Day 28

Breakfast & private transfer to Quito International airport for departure flight (unless you are remaining in the country for further exploration. Advice given on request). 

Do I require a visa for entry into Ecuador?

On arrival in the country, the immigration police will normally allow holders of British passports to remain in Ecuador for up to 90 days.  If you are planning on staying for more than three months you should apply for a visa from an Ecuadorean Embassy before your arrival in the country.  In certain circumstances, a 91-day extension for tourist visas can be applied for at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.  Please check their website for further details and requirements.

Do I have to pay a departure tax?

Yes a fee of $44.30 is payable on departure. You must pay this before you are allowed to check into your departure flight. This is payable in cash.

What is the currency of Ecuador?

They use US $, but you may sometimes receive change in centavos coins, sucre notes are no longer in circulation.

What immunisation do I require?

Please consult your local doctor's surgery for the latest advice on which jabs are recommended. We suggest you do this at least 2 months prior to departure.

What is the climate like?

Ecuador has two seasons. The Andean highlands have their dry season from June to September. The Amazon basin is often wet with December to March offering the driest months. The coast’s wet season is January to May, with the dry season in June to December. The dry and rainy seasons however do not need to dictate your time of travel. Due to its location on the equator, the climate remains largely constant throughout the year. The differences occur as the landscape changes, largely determined by altitude.

Is insurance needed?

Yes, insurance is compulsory and without it you will not be allowed to work on the project or go jungle trekking where applicable. You should specifically mention to your insurance company that you will be undertaking volunteer work and ensure you are also covered for any other activity you may wish to participate in. 

General holiday / travel insurance is not sufficient in these circumstances. We can recommend insurance if needed.

Making your reservation

Our team would be than happy to answer any questions you may have. Please contact us at volunteer@mindthegaptravel.co.uk and we will get back to you.

Book now

Step 1

You can register your interest by clicking the apply now button on the page above.

Step 2

Once you have expressed firm interest, we will hold your tentative booking for 7 days and your placement will be secured once we have received a deposit of £195 per person. You can pay by cheque (made payable to mindthegap travel ltd), bank transfer (we will send you details of our bank account) or credit / debit card (this will incur a 3% admin fee).

If you wish to pay in any other currency, you can pay by transfer through our local Travelex banking partner. We will send you full details.

Step 3

On confirmation of your placement we will send you by email a Travel Voucher, a full itinerary on payment of deposit and Know Before You Go document on payment of balance (2 months prior to departure on chosen placement date).

Between the time you secure your placement to the time of departure we are here to assist in your travel preparation and to answer your queries.

Welcome onboard!

Once you have paid your deposit, the most frequently asked question is what happens now?

You will receive your receipt and travel itinerary via email along with a document which gives you further information on the project that you have selected. It also contains details on the local area, the religion and culture and gives you everything you should need to know to prepare you for your arrival at site.

If you have any questions or concerns before your departure you should contact our volunteer coordinator at volunteer@mindthegaptravel.co.uk.

Approximately two months before departure you will receive an email detailing the names and email addresses of other participants on your project. It often helps to break the ice and get to know each other before your journey begins. Other volunteers may have useful information to share and as we have a lot of returning volunteers they are often very keen to share their knowledge and previous adventures with you.

Emergency contact details are kept on our site and updated when necessary. These details exist for your use and also for your families should unexpected problems occur at home. Please make sure you are aware of your projects emergency contacts prior to starting your journey.

All that is left for you to do now is pack your bags. We send you a site specific kit list to help you prepare for your adventures. So every step of your way we are there to help and support you.

Data Protection Policy

mindthegap travel ltd is committed to meeting its obligations under the UK Data Protection Act 1998. We will take due care in the collection, processing and storage of all personal data, including any sensitive data. We will only use your personal data in ways relevant to carrying out our legitimate purposes and functions and in a way that is not prejudicial to your interests. Our staff will do their best to keep all your personal data current, accurate and secure.

As an international company, we may share your personal data with our staff, partners and suppliers overseas in order to arrange your safari or placement. We will work to ensure that our staff understand they are required to observe UK data protection laws when handling personal data transferred overseas from the UK.

You should be aware that the country or countries we may need to transfer your personal data to may not afford the same level of protection to your personal data as your home country.

In the UK, we will hold and store all personal data you give us in connection with your booking for the same reason. Other reasons why we may hold and store your personal data are for our own marketing purposes, as well as for purposes relating to potential legal proceeding (the period of time determined by reference to statutory limitation periods). We will not hold or store your personal details for third party marketing purposes.

By completing our Application Form, you are giving your explicit consent to all transfers and the holding or sharing of your personal data. We will meet any request for access to personal data in compliance with the law.

Ecuador

South America