As a volunteer in the HIV/AIDS project in Ecuador , volunteers can assist in developing sexual health education campaigns, promote prevention programs and training seminars for groups such as common healthcare professionals and sex trade workers. In addition, you can assist in the medical and psychological attention and antiretroviral therapy programs. There are also opportunities to provide comfort and support directly to patients, their families and the community. Volunteers may also be required to make routine visits to hospices and other medical facilities - providing an in-depth perspective into the debilitating affects of this disease.

No specific qualifications are required of volunteers wishing to participate in the HIV/AIDS volunteer project in Ecuador. However, volunteers should have a focused interest and passion for public community outreach and other healthcare-related activities. Spanish is not required but preferred. Volunteers are expected to be flexible as these particular project's foundations are based in public outreach; therefore, daily schedules are seldom fixed and can be routinely altered.

Rustic Volunteer Travel arranges volunteer meals, accommodations and strong field support for the duration of projects and optional travel packages. In Ecuador , volunteers generally stay with host families and accommodations are simple and clean homes in safe neighborhoods. Volunteers usually have a private bedroom, but occasionally rooms will be shared with a same-gender volunteer. Our host families are well screened and are respected members of their communities who live in affluent neighborhoods. Most of our host families have experience with hosting international volunteers. A host family stay is a great chance for cultural immersion and exchange. Orphanage volunteers may stay at their project as many orphanages have special rooms set aside for international volunteers and these accommodations are normally shared with a same-gender volunteer.

Volunteers receive three local meals per day (breakfast, lunch and dinner). We can provide vegetarian meal options, but needs must be detailed in a volunteer's application. Snacks and beverages outside of mealtimes are not provided; however, there are local restaurants and grocery stores near the residences in which we place volunteers.

Rustic offers unparalleled field support to volunteers to ensure a safe and rewarding experience. Once in Ecuador, there are many layers of support for you. The most important support comes from our country coordinator/field staff. The secondary support comes from the host project staff and members of host families and/or a homebase staff. Volunteers will have access to our country coordinator's mobile number and they are available 24/7. Throughout the volunteer project, our local staff stays in contact with volunteers either with face-to-face visits or via email/telephone. Our field staff will visit regularly (every 2-4 weeks) to make sure things are going well and as planned. However, if placement is far from our local offices, staff members will stay in touch via email/ phone. Volunteers are also welcome to stop in the offices at any time.

Specific details regarding accommodations, food and contact details for our local coordinator will be provided in personalized volunteer placement documentation prior to arrival.

HIV/AIDS projects are available in Quito (officially San Francisco de Quito, the capital city of Ecuador in northwestern South America) and Galápagos Islands (archipelago of volcanic islands) . Ecuador straddles the equator, from which it takes its name, and is renowned for being one of 17 mega-diverse countries in the world with 1600 bird species and 25,000 species of plants Most of its cities offer most of the amenities you would expect from any city. Volunteers can organize different possible excursions during and after the project to visit places of interest. There is a tourist infrastructure already in place the volunteer can use during weekends. For example: architecture, museums, city tours, fishing, rock climbing, festivals, restaurants, art, music, hotels, and much more.