Ecuador Service Project Background

Overview

Ecuador is lies on the western coast of South America, bordered by Peru and Colombia.  It straddles earth’s equator, explaining its name that literally translates to “Equator.” The country’s diverse geography includes the Andes, the Amazon Rainforest, and the famous Galapagos Islands that are home to one of the largest variety of species in the world (and the studies of Charles Darwin).

There are three major cities in Ecuador, all of which we will visit during the HEFY expeditions: first is Quito, which is the capital city of Ecuador, and is a World Heritage UNESCO site for having the best-preserved historic center in Latin America. Second is Guayaquil, the country’s largest city and home to its only LDS temple. Third is Cuenca, a charming city which most consider to be the cultural capital of Ecuador. Cuenca is also a UNESCO World Heritage site for maintaining the same rigid urban plan that was ordered by the Spanish King Charles V over 400 years ago.

The variety of people and culture among the inhabitants of Ecuador results from historical influences of the indigenous people, the Incan Empire, and the Spanish colonists. There is a strong Catholic presence in the country, as well as many native customs, culinary dishes, and types of clothing that are unique to the indigenous groups of Ecuador. During your HEFY expedition you will frequently see elderly women with traditionally bright and embroidered skirts, “Panama Hats”, and no shoes (throughout the entire year).

While the foundation for meals in Ecuador consists of rice and black beans accompanied by a variety of meat, it often includes local fish, costal seafood, and a special and traditional dish called cuy (guinnea pig).

During our time in Ecuador we will see all of the most famous sites in the country- the “Middle of the Earth” museums located on the equator just outside of Quito, the huge local market in Otavalo, the rainforests and waterfalls in Mindo, and one of the world’s largest orchid farms as well as a traditional weaving shop while in Cuenca.

We will spend the majority of the trip in Cuenca, where the local people say there are three seasons- cool, warm, and rainy- and all three happen every day!

Service Project

This year we are introducing our first ever Young Women only expeditions to Ecuador in an effort to accommodate the large numbers of young women that apply to the program every year. We will join the Orphanage Support Services Organization (or OSSO), an organization that is also run by members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, which owns and manages its own orphanage in Cuenca in addition to helping staff the many orphanages in the area with volunteers. 

The HEFY expedition will work specifically to build new facilities at the OSSO orphanage that will house volunteers and help solve the shortage of volunteers needed to adequately care for the children. In addition to the construction project, the young women will have the opportunity to rotate into the OSSO volunteer program and visit many of the orphanages in the area to help care for the children. The project in Ecuador is sure to be one of the most rewarding of all the HEFY trips this year.

Trip Environment: High altitude, high UV index, cooler temp
Medical Care Access: Fair
Special Notes: Higher cold/flu risk