Internship, Service-Learning, and Volunteer Opportunities!

Finally, here is a list of possible internship opportunities, based on the current needs of our partner NGOs. What interested volunteers will actually do will be based on what opportunities are available during the time of their stay here, as well as their skills and interest. But just so you have an idea…

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The Indiana-Ecuador Partnership for Sustainable Development engages students in a wide variety of service-learning & internship opportunities related to the sustainable development of Ecuador. The following organizations have expressed a need for assistance from qualified individuals in the areas of Education, Environment/Ecological Restoration, Health, Microfinance, Tourism, and Technology/Informatics.

Organization Description

CEPESIU (http://www.cepesiu.org/)

Center for Promotion and Employment for the Informal Urban Sector

With over 21 years of experience, CEPESIU is a microfinance institution that provides a variety of financial and education services to some of Ecuador’s most vulnerable population.

Services provided by CEPESIU include

*Financial Services including micro-credit to microenterprises
*Business Development Services including knowledge management and training services for emerging micro-enterprises
*Local Economic Development Consulting including workshops and capital provision for self-forming systems of credit in rural and urban communities
*Community Bank Training to enhance the capacity of community-based systems of credit

FUNDAMYF/RANDIMPAK Project (http://www.fundamyf.org)

FUNDAMYF is a development organization working in diverse areas such as poverty eradication, public health, micro-credit, and ecological restoration. In pursuing an integrated approach to development, FUNDAMYF engages in projects that promote a model of economic and social well-being that build new relations of gender equality and social equity. The primary activities of FUNDAMYF include capacity-building workshops, project management consulting, and technical assistance.

RANDIMPAK PROJECT (Website forthcoming)

IEPSD collaborates with FUNDAMYF’s Randimpak project in the community of San Gerardo, one of 151 rural communities in central Ecuador that participate in the project. Randimpak seeks to reduce poverty through an integrated development strategy that comprises programs in education, health, microcredit, and agriculture, with emphasis on the improvement of production and commercialization. All programs are led by women and emphasize responsible environmental management.

Guamote Cheesemaker Association

Located in the Andean city of Guamote, a central hub for commerce in the mostly-indigenous province of Chimborazo, the Guamote Cheesemaker Association is a group of autonomous microenterprises working toward a common goal: to expand access to domestic and international markets and enhance the economic security of their communities through stable employment and a sustainable source of income.

INTI SISA (http://www.intisisa.org/)

The Belgium-based INTI SISA contributes to the development of the Guamote community through seven strategic areas, with emphasis on tourism and education. Tourists interested in exploring the ecological wonders of Chimborazo through hiking, backpacking, or on horseback stay at the INTI SISA guesthouse, whose income funds educational projects. Handicraft workshops organized by INTI SISA staff contribute to local indigenous communities’ economic independence and sense of self-respect, while the after-school homework sessions and additional education programs for primary and secondary schoolchildren brighten the prospects for the next generation of Ecuadorean men and women.

Jambi Kiwa

Created by an association of indigenous women, Jambi Kiwa is a co-operative business set up to grow, process, and market medicinal and aromatic plants. Drawing on indigenous knowledge and traditional forms of co-operative activity, Jambi Kiwa leverages local assets to secure trade relationships in both the domestic and international markets. Using techniques that respect the ecological integrity of the natural environment, Jambi Kiwa has pioneered methods of packaging sustainability and biodiversity.

KNH (kindernothilfe) Ecuador (www.kindernothilfe.org)

KNH-Ecuador is a German development organization specializing in the sustainable improvement of the living conditions for Ecuadorean children. KNH offers education, vocational training, nutrition services, and health care. This social service institution draws on the ¨everlasting character¨ of foundational philanthropy to ensure the long-term implementation of its programs.

SustainTours (http://www.sustaintours.com)

A Riobamba-based tourism agency that arranges unique, community-based tourism opportunities for Ecuadorians and foreigners.

Internship/Service Learning Opportunities

Education

* Inti Sisa Education Volunteer: assist Inti Sisa staff in after-school homework sessions for primary and secondary school children.
* RANDIMPAK Adult Education Intern: assist RANDIMPAK with the development of educational materials for their adult literacy program.
* KNH Summer Program Development Intern: assist KNH staff with the development of summer recreation programs in music, theatre, dance, etc., for children.
* Palacio Real Education Volunteer: assist the local educational institutions in English-language training programs.

Environment

* RANDIMPAK Chimborazo Restoration Project Intern: assist RANDIMPAK in reforestation and soil & water conservation projects in the Chimborazo mountain region.
* RANDIMPAK Chimborazo Restoration Project Researcher: conduct studies on the efficacy of native plant species in soil water retention and ecosystem restoration efforts in the Chimborazo mountain region. Should have ecology/biology research experience. Preference is given to a master’s or doctoral candidate pursuing a relevant degree.
* RANDIMPAK Waste Management Intern: assist RANDIMPAK staff in the development and management of a sustainable waste management and recycling system for both rural and urban communities in the Chimborazo province.
* JAMBI KIWA Sustainable Agriculture Volunteer: volunteers are needed in assisting JAMBI KIWA staff in the sustainable design of irrigation systems and terrace-farming operations in rural, indigenous communities.

Health

* RANDIMPAK Public Health Intern: assist RANDIMPAK in training workshops for community health promoters in first-aid, basic nursing, midwifery, family planning, disease prevention, etc.
* RANDIMPAK Environmental Health Intern: assist RANDIMPAK staff in drinking water treatment techniques, water potabilization projects, and the construction of latrines.
* RANDIMPAK Nutrition Intern: assist RANDIMPAK in training workshops for community health promoters in the areas of nutrition and healthy eating.

Micro-finance

* CEPESIU Micro-Credit Intern: assist CEPESIU in implementing their strategic plan, conduct program outreach, and aid in internal systems improvement efforts for their micro-credit initiatives.
* Jambi Kiwa Micro-Finance Intern: assist Jambi Kiwa staff in securing small-scale financing for the women’s micro-enterprise from external micro-credit granting individuals and institutions.

Micro-enterprise

* Inti Sisa Crafts Intern: assist Inti Sisa staff in the operational aspects of sewing and embroidery workshops for the indigenous women of Guamote.
* Jambi Kiwa Business Development Intern: assist Jambi Kiwa in marketing, packaging and new product development. Individuals with business skills and knowledge of fair-trade markets are preferred.
* RANDIMPAK Indigenous Grain Commercialization Intern: assist RANDIMPAK in business plan development, commercialization and marketing of grains produced by indigenous, organic farming operations.
* Guamote Cheesemaker Association Administrative and Management Assistant: train the members of the GCA in administrative and management techniques. Individuals with adviministrative and/or management experience are preferred.

Tourism

* SustainTours Eco-Tourism Intern: assist the staff of SustainTours in the day-to-day business operations involving project management and planning. Help with marketing and dealing with foreign clients.
* Inti Sisa Tourism Intern: assist Inti Sisa staff with the daily operations of the Guamote guest house, as well as planned outdoor adventure excursions including mountain biking, horse riding, and hiking.
* Palacio Real Community Tourism Volunteer: assist the staff of Palacio Real in the day-to-day activities of their community tourism operations. Currently, the most pressing need is assistance of the kitchen staff in preparing meals for the community´s tourists. Individuals with cooking experience are ideal.

Technology/Informatics

* KNH Computer and Internet Training Volunteer: train students in Internet and computer use in the newly constructed school computer lab.
* RANDIMPAK Computer Training Intern: assist RANDIMPAK personnel in computer workshops for members of community organizations who are in the beginning stages of integrating computer technologies into their operations. Individuals with experience and knowledge of Microsoft programs preferred.

* RANDIMPAK Internal Database Management Intern: assist RANDIMPAK staff in the creation of an internal database management system for information relevant to the various programs and projects run by RANDIMPAK. Individuals with knowledge of and experience using Microsoft database management software programs including Microsoft Access and Microsoft Excel preferred.