VOLUNTEER TESTIMONIALS

SOCIAL & HUMANITARIAN

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Javier Ormazabal

Spain

September 2008

Street Children

After being part of the Street Children program, one sees things from a different point of view. From the beginning, you feel part of it and decide how much you want to get involved. Seeing the smile of those kids day after day is just great. Volunteers get to help with the daily tasks in the kindergarten, play with the kids, read them short stories, feed them... Apart from my work with the Street Children Programme, my life in Quito with my host family was memorable; I really got integrated with them and got to know their culture and lifestyle. It is a unique experience, which I recommend to everyone.

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Norma Harris

United Kingdom

October and November 2008

Street Children

I recently spent 6 weeks in Quito living as part of an Ecuadorian family, improving my Spanish and working at a day nursery. This nursery is in the south of Quito in a poor area and many of the children came from either single parent families or were living with relatives. The whole experience gave a wonderful insight into Quito life and despite their home circumstances the children were a joy to work with. It was hard work but very rewarding. 

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Georgina Thomas

United Kingdom

April 2009

Street Children  (Trash Dump Center)

The organization of the project was really good due to the orientation. The project has given me insight into another side of Ecuadorian life and I really appreciate the opportunity. Orientation on the first day was a great introduction to the project and showed me how to use the public transportation. I was able to help in the classroom and with the younger children. The Lead staff was always willing to help and I became part of the volunteer atmosphere in the evenings.

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Virginie Pector

Belgium

October 2008 - March 2009

Street Children Program

Je suis partie 6 mois en Equateur et jamais je ne pourrais l oublier...

Je m imaginais 1000 choses avant mon départ et finalement tout était complètement différent! J ai travaillé là-bas, après 1 mois de cours, avec des enfants adorables. Ce n'est pas tous les jours facile mais ils sont tellement exceptionnels que finalement on ne veut plus les quitter, On s'y attache vite et on rêverait de les reprendre avec nous! Mais il n'y a pas que ça qui a fait de mon voyage un véritable moment inoubliable... La famille... Des gens extraordinaires avec qui vous partagez plein de choses, qui sont là pour vous et qui vous accueille réellement dans leur famille. 

Les rencontres... De tous les pays du monde! Des gens formidables ou un peu moins mais peu importe car à chaque fois ce sont des souvenirs mémorables. Apres ça, vous pourrez voyager partout vous aurez toujours un ami qui vous accueillera chez lui! L'équipe qui nous encadre... Ils sont super chouettes, drôles et au moindre problème ils sont là pour nous aider. Et puis... Juste l'Equateur! Ce pays est MAGNIFIQUE! Différent de tous les autres avec sa population incroyable, souriante et accueillante. Maintenant  ça fait plus d’un mois que je suis rentrée et je ne rêve que de retourner là-bas et revivre cette vie que j'adorais!

Une chose est sûr... J'y retournerai!!!

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Sarah Weche

Germany

March-May 2009

Street Children

Ich habe die Zeit, die ich in Ecuatorianiche kinder garden mit all den wundervollen Kindern verbracht habe sehr genossen und die Erfahrungen, die ich gesammelt habe haben meine Sicht auf viele Dinge im Leben und das erleben dieser gepraegt und veraendert. Letztendlich viel mir der Abschied sehr schwer und ich werde auf jeden Fall Kontakt halten und so gut ich kann Ecuatorianiche kinder garden, die Kinder und deren Familien weiterhin unterstuetzen. Jedes der Kinder ist einfach einzigartig und jeder Tag mit ihnen zusammen hat viel Spass gemacht.

I really enjoyed my time at the daycare center. I spend 3 months with wonderful children; it made me look at life in a different way. In the end I didn’t want to leave and for sure I am going to stay in contact and keep on helping them, support them however I can. Every single child is so special and every single day was much fun.  

CONSERVATION

ANIMAL WELFARE

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Lucy Maxwell

United Kingdom

November 2008

Galapagos Recycling and Giant Tortoise 

I LOVE the Galapagos! I'm really enjoying the tortoise project - it's hard work in the mornings, but really worthwhile. The tortoises have great characters and are lots of fun to be around. It's fantastic to have the afternoons free to snorkel, walk on the beach or whatever. We did a trip up to the Sierra Negra and Chico volcanoes at the weekend, which was great. And the wildlife here is just incredible. I'm really into wildlife and nature and this place is like a dream come true!

Our host family are just brilliant - they are so friendly, kind and generous and they really look after us well. They have really made it easy to feel at home here.
 

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Franziska Eckerfeld

Germany

July and August 2008

Coast Animal Rescue Center

At the rescue center people were so nice…..we got nice food, good work and a lot of time to go to the lake to swim, to read or to go to Guayaquil!! The work was good: we worked together with crocodiles, parrots, turtles, monkeys or wood (for me!!;-)) Sometimes we played with the horses or the dogs or played football with the others!! We all had a nice time on the farm, we felt at home there….- with a lot of friends, family and animals!! After 4 weeks we were very sad to say goodbye…and we all hope it was not a goodbye for ever!! Then I went back to Quito for one weekend to see friends an my family!! To say goodbye…. This was a hard time and I hope that I will come back to see friends and family again!! I want to say thank you for the nice time, for the good organization and for the nice relationships!!

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Julie Attenborough

United Kingdom

February 2009

Galapagos Recycling and Giant Tortoise

The Spanish school is and excellent way to start your Ecuadorian experience in Quito.  Even speaking a little bit of the language can help tremendously! My Galapagos experience will stay with me forever- a truly magical place of outstanding beauty and wildlife.  Thanks you for ensuring that everything ran smoothly and for your assistance/friendliness too.

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Siobhan Towland

United Kingdom

March 2009

Andes Animal Rescue Center

I thoroughly enjoyed my stay at the Andes Rescue Center. I would say it was one of the most fulfilling experiences of my life. Very hard work and really rewarding. Would love to go back.

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Christopher Plouman

United Kingdom

February and March 2009

Amazon Animal Rescue Center

My experience on the whole using lead adventures was a very positive one. I found them very friendly and helpful. The home stay I was allocated, was brilliant. Maria was awesome to stay with and lots of fun. I felt that I got the most out of Quito, which I found a great place to learn Spanish.

The Amazon Rescue Centre was an amazing place to volunteer, the manager and local staff were very informative helpful and friendly offering ample opportunities everyday to interact with the animals, through feeding, cleaning and caring. There are other curriculum activities like, maintenance, cage building and landscaping. Honestly it was really hard work, but incredibly rewarding and fun. No two days are the same & there is a great team ethos at the centre. This creates a really positive project and I can’t recommend this place enough.

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Pippa Way

United Kingdom

March 2009

Andes Animal Rescue Center

I had the time of my life at Andes Rescue Center, I would go back again in a heartbeat. I must say I didn’t quite know what I was getting myself into, but whatever expectations I might have had it exceeded them. Everyone was so lovely and welcoming and I felt I really achieved a lot there, it’s changed me in so many ways and I’m so grateful that I went and as soon as I have the time and the money I’m going back!

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Sarah Davies

United Kingdom

May-June 2009

Galapagos Giant Tortoise/Street Children

Hello guys!

The Galapagos Tortoise project was great! Thank you for all your hard work, I had a brilliant time in Ecuador and would not have achieved all the experiences without you guys at Lead Adventures.

Hope to return one day!

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Sarah Boyd

United Kingdom

April-June 2009

Spanish School, Andes Animal Rescue Center & Galapagos Giant Tortoise Program

Working at the Andes Animal Rescue Center project and the Galapagos Tortoise project was an amazing experience for me. Good, hard work for a good cause, and learning about all the animals. Playing with Leah the baby Ocelot was the best! Island life on the Galapagos was relaxed, very friendly locals, interesting animals to see. I would thoroughly recommend both projects. 

TEACH / TEFL / INTERSHIPS

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Lisa McGoff

United Kingdom

October 2008

Teaching in the Amazon

I spent 4wks in August 2008 at the Teaching Project in the Amazon working with the children at the local school. The project is particularly good because we taught not only English but other subjects such as arts, sport & drama. The children are only taught the basic subjects by their teacher so introducing the other subjects really does make a real difference to their schooling.

When I started the project I had just 2 wks learning Spanish & found it difficult to explain the activities to the children. So I would highly recommend learning as much as possible.This will benefit both yourself & the kids & allow you to get the most out of the project.

At the weekends we went to the local town of Banos. A great vibrant town with rafting, biking & a bridge jump which I would particularly recommend.

If you are ready for hard work & a real adventure then this project if for you.

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Rennie Hoare

United Kingdom

July, August and September 2008

Internship

I spent ten weeks in Quito over the summer of 2008. I lived with the same family for all of my time there, and had the chance to build up a really close bond with them. It was really good to have such a happy and accommodating home as it meant that I was really pleased to get back to them at the end of the day and have dinner and a chat. This level of comfort was not just confined to the home and due to this the evenings out in Quito were amazing, and some of the best that I have ever had. The mixture of locals and foreigners seemed to be exactly right and made for a great atmosphere. Over the weeks that I was in Ecuador, except for the first two where I was only learning Spanish, I worked as an intern at an apolitical NGO called Grupo FARO. In this office I had the chance to work alongside highly knowledgeable professionals, and to give my own input through a series of presentations. I found this hugely rewarding and gave me an interesting insight into the political workings of the country. In all, the experience gave me the chance to learn a new language, make new friends, and experience and understand a different and interesting culture- truly enjoyable.

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Simon Legg

United Kingdom

March and April 2009

TEFL Isabella

The TEFL in Galapagos is well worth money. You get to see the amazing Islands whilst doing something really satisfying too. You are made to feel really welcome in the school and Island and as a result get treated like more than just another tourist. The best part of my travels so far! Do it!

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Melissa Marnell

United States

June-July 2009

English Language and Cultural Exchange Program Galapagos

My experience was with the English Language and Cultural Exchange Program.  I volunteered to teach a family English for four weeks on Isla Isabela in the Galapagos Islands.  In return, I lived and ate with the family.  My experience from beginning to end was amazing.  I felt that I learned so much about the Ecuadorian culture because I lived it.  The family I lived with became my own, and I look forward to continuing the relationship now that I’m back home.  Isabela is a beautiful place-the people are appreciative and the town is very safe.  During my stay, I was able to explore the town and the tourist sites.  I highly recommend this program to anyone looking for a cultural experience in paradise! 

SPORTS

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Matthew Fernald

United States

November, December 2008 and January 2009

Tennis Coach Assistant

As an avid tennis player who simply loves to play the game as often as he can, the program was exactly what I wanted. My improvement is very noticeable. Midway through my second week, I asked Daniela and Esteban at the office to sign me up for volunteer work, and Daniela brought me to a child day-care center, a place where poor children from ages 1-5 can spend the day eating and playing, rather than, for example, roaming the streets begging. It will be very difficult for me to leave this place without crying because all the children there, despite their situations, are the happiest, most loving children I've met. The oldest kids like airplane rides; the youngest just like playing with toys and walking around. It has been a wonderful experience, and I recommend it to anyone. 

In short, I've improved immensely in three basic categories: Tennis, Spanish, Love.

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David Hagen

United Kingdom

April 2009

Football Training & Coaching

Hello, I spent 5 weeks at my homestay and did 4 weeks at a Spanish school in Quito that Lead Adventures had organized for me. I found all the staff at Lead Adventures to be very useful and friendly.  I did the football coaching and training, I really enjoyed the training because I love playing football and learned how different cultures play the game.  The family was amazing I stayed with and met some really fun people who were also in the homestay.  I had the time of life out in Quito and will go back to Ecuador as soon as I can.

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Thomas Twigden

United Kingdon

May, June & July 2009

Tennis Coach Assistant 

Tennis coaching was good fun, the kids have a good laugh and the coaches were all very welcoming. The standard of some of the kids was high, and I regularly got the chance to play matches against the coaches which really helped improve my own game.
 

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Francesca Ioffreda

United States

August 2009

Football Training and Coach Assistant 

My time in Quito on the soccer program with Lead Adventures was the highlight of my summer. Although I was only there for 2 weeks the experience had a profound impact on me and was an amazing adventure. I really enjoyed coaching the students and playing with them in the afternoons; they were a ball of energy and excitement. I especially enjoyed training and the university and establishing relationships with the players on the team. The players and coaches were extremely warm and welcoming and made me feel at home. Finally, Quito is an amazing place with a plethora of activities and opportunities. While there, I took daily Spanish grammar classes and salsa lessons, and enjoyed the nightlife the Mariscal had to offer. I would definitely recommend this program to sports and travel enthusiasts.

GROUP TRAVEL

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Louisa Talhi

United Kingdom

March and April 2009

GalaPass

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Matt Gates

United Kingdom

September 2008

Spanish School

Hi, I spent 10 days at a homestay and a week at a Spanish school in Quito that Lead Adventures had organised on my behalf. I found that the staff at Lead Adventures to be very helpful and friendly. The school was located in the heart of the city and was easy to find. Although the location was not fantastic as there were too many bars and restaurants close by which distracted me from my studies! ha ha. Even though I was only at the school for a week I found it to be rewarding. Now I am back home I plan to continue with my Spanish studies. The lady that I stayed with was a character! she spoke very good english and was helpful with info on life in Quito. I do intend to go back to South America as I enjoyed my time there very much.

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Will Jackson

United Kingdom

May 2009

Ecuador Experience

All aspects impressively coordinated- language school also very good!

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