Volunteering in Ecuador: building a sustainable impact with LO-CA

International mobility 10 January 2025

The LO-CA project, in which ADICE participates as part of the ESC humanitarian aid strand, aims to support local and sustainable initiatives in vulnerable communities across Ecuador, India, and Vietnam. This programme relies on the commitment of international volunteers, whose concrete actions address local needs while fostering intercultural exchange. Let’s take a closer look at the mission of Leticia, a Spanish volunteer supported by ADICE, in Otavalo, Ecuador.

Leticia

Supporting education and the community

At a school welcoming indigenous and mestizo children aged 3 to 13, Leticia works alongside teachers, offering activities tailored to the needs of the youngest pupils. She develops educational materials in English, organises confidence-building workshops, fosters social skills, and introduces children to local and foreign cultures. Each activity is carefully prepared in collaboration with the teaching staff.

During her mission, Leticia also initiated her first sustainable local action: introducing a recycling system at the school. By raising children’s awareness about waste sorting, she laid the foundation for a practical and long-lasting habit within the community. In the future, she envisions creating a collective vegetable garden involving students’ families to strengthen food autonomy and community bonds.

 

Cours d'école en Equateur

 

Cultural immersion and mutual enrichment

Living with an indigenous family in Otavalo has been a key part of Leticia’s integration.

By sharing their daily life, she has learned to recognise words in Kichwa (an indigenous Ecuadorian language) and to better understand local traditions. These enriching exchanges strengthen ties between volunteers and communities, offering mutual cultural understanding and personal growth.

In addition to her interactions with the community, Leticia participates in salsa classes and explores Quito’s urban culture, with the support of Cielo Azul’s local coordinator, a partner of ADICE.

 

Partenaires et coordinateur de la mission

 

A sustainable mission backed by the LO-CA project

The LO-CA project stands out for its sustainable approach. In collaboration with local partners such as VASE and Cielo Azul, it ensures tailored support for volunteers and tangible benefits for communities. Careful logistical preparation, regular follow-ups, and encouragement to create lasting local actions ensure a positive long-term impact.

Leticia’s experience perfectly illustrates this philosophy. Whether through workshops for children or community projects, her actions are designed to last and empower local capacities!

The LO-CA project, along with other initiatives launched under the ESC humanitarian strand, embodies the European commitment to strengthening international cooperation. These missions allow volunteers to contribute to local initiatives while gaining valuable professional, personal, and cultural experience, equipping them with a solid foundation for future endeavours.


Soon, a new mission opportunity to continue Leticia’s work in July 2025, as well as a mission in Vietnam, will be available. Stay connected! In the meantime, learn more about the eligibility criteria and selection process for the ESC humanitarian strand.

See also

L'ADICE lance un nouveau projet dans le cadre du volontariat du CES volet aide humanitaire - LO-CA !

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