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Live & Give in the Amazon: Community Language Exchange

4.5
(6 reviews)6

The experience

Immerse yourself in the Ecuadorian Amazon with a local host family while supporting community-led initiatives! Share your skills—whether it’s art, language, music, or childcare—for a few hours daily. In exchange, enjoy two meals a day, Spanish lessons, and the once-in-a-lifetime chance to live, learn, and give back with Awaken Foundation. Help families thrive through education, wellness & sustainable livelihoods.

What you offer

16 hours of help per week

Child Care: Caring for, playing with, and spending time with children.

Social Work: Help with volunteer work in local projects and communities.

Teaching Sports: Teaching or assisting the host, guests, or local communities in practicing sports or physical activities.

Teaching Languages: Teaching a language to the host, guests, or local communities.

Additional fee required

Amount: US$ 20 Per day

Fee pays for: Benefits for travelers and Donation to project

Description: We require 20 USD/ day to cover additional costs of food and living expenses. This goes to support the local family you are living with (homestay), while they provide you spanish support/learning.

What you get

3 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Free Tours: We’ll take you on tours and rides around town. For free!

Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!

Free Events: Get free entrance for the best events in town.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Language lessons: Take free language classes at our place.

Holistic Therapies: You can take part in any of our therapeutic activities for free.

Permaculture Course: Take part in our Permaculture course for free.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.

Basic Internet Access: Basic speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English or Intermediate Spanish

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

Do you want to learn Spanish?

This is a Spanish homestay experience at a fraction of the price of normal homestays. Join a meaningful experience in the heart of the Ecuadorian Amazon, where you’ll live with a local family and support our community-led programs through the Awaken Foundation. This is more than just volunteering—it’s an immersive cultural language exchange program rooted in respect, learning, and connection. .

Each day, you’ll spend around 3-4 hours supporting the community in one of two ways:
🌟 Lead a small “club” or workshop based on your talents—art, language, music, dance, computer skills, nature walks, birdwatching—anything you’re passionate about!
🌟 Or, assist with childcare, giving local mothers time to rest, work, or participate in Awaken’s programming. Your presence helps create space for well-being.

In return, you’ll receive two home-cooked meals a day, daily Spanish lessons or conversation practice, and the chance to be fully immersed in the rhythms, traditions, and language of a vibrant Amazonian community.

You'll be hosted by one of our trusted partner families—warm, welcoming households who are excited to share their lives and culture with you. Accommodations are basic but comfortable, with clean rooms and shared living spaces.

This program is part of Awaken Foundation’s broader mission to support education, health, and sustainable livelihoods across Ecuador’s rural and Indigenous communities. Your time and energy help support families in becoming more self-sufficient—while giving you an unforgettable, deeply meaningful experience in return.

Expect connection. Expect growth. Expect to be changed in the best way possible.

Activities & Shift

Typical Weekday Schedule:

🌞 Morning

Enjoy a homemade breakfast with your host family

Free time to relax, explore the area, or practice Spanish

🌿 Midday (3-4 hours)

Lead a creative club (art, music, English, etc.) or support with childcare

Activities take place at a local community center or within the host home

🍽 Afternoon & Evening

Share a family-style lunch or dinner (2 meals provided daily)

Spanish immersion through conversation and informal lessons

Time to relax, journal, connect with locals, or join community gatherings

Rules

1. Respect Local Culture & Customs: Be open, curious, and respectful toward the traditions, rhythms, and values of your host family and the community.

2. Engage with Intention: This is a relationship-based experience. Come with a willingness to listen, share, and participate.

3. Contribute Consistently: Volunteers are expected to contribute 3-4 hours per day, through childcare, teaching english, or running a creative club.

4. No Substance Use: Please refrain from using drugs or drinking alcohol during your stay. This helps maintain a safe and respectful environment.

5. Be Environmentally Conscious: Use water and electricity mindfully. Avoid bringing excess plastic and be respectful of the natural surroundings.

6. Be Present: Limit phone use during activities and meals. Fully engage with your host family and the experience.

7. Support Your Hosts: Keep your space tidy, offer to help with small tasks, and communicate kindly and openly with your host family.