Currently there are projects (conservation of the rainforest, for
example) in Cabo San Francisco and FCSF started there, so that is where
most of the volunteer programs are located. The operational range,
however, currently includes the entire canton of Muisne.

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There are two options. The FCSF volunteer house, which is perfectly
suited for the stay, has cooking facilities, electricity, running water and dormitories (private room, or possibly,
shared with another volunteer or researcher). The other option is to
stay in the house of a family of San Francisco, interacting with them
directly and participating in their daily life (there is less privacy
and hygiene).

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The administration is always in contact via email with the volunteer.
FCSF arranges reception at the airport and transfer to the central
office and afterwards the trip to San Francisco.

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There are two stores that offer "cabinas" for local and international
calls. It is possible to use the FCSF telephone for emergencies.

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Curriculum vitae, letter of application (with personal motivation), 2 passport photos,
certificate of health (indication of chronic allergies, diseases, etc.)  and USD 15 (non refundable).

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The documentation is sent by email (through a form on the FCSF website). The registration fee is paid by a bank transfer or onsite.

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Yes, under the condition that both are FCSF volunteers and conduct themselves in accordance with the life in community.

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USD 350 covers:

• Reception and transfer from the airport to the central office in Quito.
• Tour of the historical center in Quito
• 3 meals per day in San Francisco
• Lodging (in house for volunteers or with a family of San Francisco).
• Materials
• Access to a computer in the house for volunteers in Quito.
• The transport costs and personal expenses are the responsibility of the volunteer.

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In case of medical emergency, the volunteer must go to the local
coordinator who will communicate with the director of the foundation.
Each volunteer must have a valid medical insurance during their stay;
FCSF does not give additional medical insurance. In the house there is
a medical kit with basic medicine and first aid.

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The risk exists, therefore it is necessary to bring preventive
medicines
or to bring antimalaria for emergency (consult your doctor beforehand).
Also, insect repellent is necessary for preventing malaria.

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Depending on the project, the activities can be very diverse, from
helping to give courses on environmental interpretation in the school, going
to nearby towns to make botanical surveys, collecting plants,
to constructing nurseries with the villagers. It all depends on the project that the volunteer is working on.

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It depends on the interests of the volunteer. For example, you can do
social aid work or photographic recordings of the activities (to
document your stay).

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Depends on your nationality. You must inquire in the embassy
or consular service in your country for Ecuador about visa requirements for a trip of this nature.

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Yes, for instance: volunteering online, help raising funds or making a
donation. It is possible to work as a volunteer through UNV: Sign up
here. All possible ways that you could help us are appreciated.
Different initiatives can be discussed through email with FCSF staff.

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When we have documentation that needs to be translated we will be grateful for your help with the translations.

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No, but there is a project under way to get a center with internet
access in San Francisco. The nearest city with internet access is
Atacames or Muisne .

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Both volunteer houses are equipped with beds in the dormitories,
bathrooms with showers, kitchen (with dishes, pots and pans) and
desks/tables. There is no hot water at the
volunteer house in San Francisco and often not at the volunteer house
in Quito. The volunteer house in Quito has a computer with internet
that the volunteers can use. There is a cellular telephone but there is not always a signal to make calls.

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Yes, there is potable water, nevertheless is not recommended to drink
it without boiling it first (in the shops they sell bottled water,
which is safe to drink). The water supply sometimes fails due to
pressure problems or it is directly interrupted.

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The basic diet consists primarily of fish, seafood, rice and banana,
prepared in different ways. In San Francisco soya products are not
available, but there is a small selection
of fruits and vegetables. If you have special dietary or nutritional
requirements at all, please make sure to let us know beforehand.

The possibility exists of choosing between preparing food yourself
or eating prepared meals in the volunteer house or in a family house.

The voluntary program includes 3 meals per day (in a house of San Francisco).

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In general no, since prepation is required in advance for where the volunteer will be staying.

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The schedule is not fixed, since everything depends on the activities that
have been programmed for each volunteer. Volunteers are accountable for the proposed goals.

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No, they are not refundable because the administrative expenses are fixed. If
the volunteer decides to not go at the last minute then this fee will be the same.

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The volunteer house in San Francisco can accomodate up to 10 volunteers. In
case of larger groups, accomodation must be arranged with families of San Francisco.

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There are poisonous animals (generally snakes) but they are not aggressive and you will rarely come across them on usual journeys.

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In this region only two seasons: rainy and “dry”. In all the cases it
is necessary to bring light clothes, preferably cotton because the zone
is quite humid and the temperatures fluctuate between 15° and 25° C. Depending on the time of year and type of work, rubber boots are indispensable (they can be bought in Quito for a reasonable price).

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You can reach San Francisco by sea (in boats) or by land (in a
“ranchera” or bus). Going by sea you'll need to walk about 40 minutes
to the town of Bunche and from there it is a half hour boat ride to
Muisne (cost USD 0,50). Boats can be arranged from San Francisco, but
the passage is riskier. Buses from Muisne go to Atacames (1 ½ hour trip
costs around USD 2). By land from San
Francisco there is a bus to Esmeraldas (3 hour trip costs USD 3) or a
"ranchera" to Tonchigue (2 hour trip costs USD 2).

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In the town there are not many places to spend money. The shops sell
limited types of food (non-perishables, vegetables and fruits, bread),
cleaning supplies, pop, etc. for a price a bit higher than in Quito.
Since there are no banks or ATM's in San Francisco or Muisne (the
closest “city”) come with enough money to last you until your trip to a
bigger city. It is necessary to have small bills.

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Any time of the year it is good to come. The climate does not vary a
lot, since there are only 2 seasons (one rainy and the other dryer).
The temperature is warm or lukewarm and it is almost never cold. FCSF
has the capacity to receive volunteers any month of the year.

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The minimum duration is 10 days (the journey to San Francisco from
Quito is one whole night and, depending on the route, may include a
boat). The maximum stay is determined by the duration of the visa (3
months in case of a tourist visa, which can be extended). There is no
maximum stay imposed by FCSF as long as visa requirements are met.

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There are no educational requirements and the minimum age is 16 years.
If you are 16 years old you will need a letter of authorization from
your parents (or guardian). Physically you will need to be capable of
working in an
almost tropical climate with a varying geography (hills,
sea, rivers). Additionally, in the town to San Francisco, there can be
a lack of water and there are power outages.

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No, intermediate or basic Spanish is enough; it depends on your abilities
to communicate (and to learn) and on the type of volunteer work that you
will be doing.

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There are administrative costs of USD 15 per application. These costs
are for:
FCSF volunteer identification card, airport pick-up and possibly
lodging before the trip out to San Francisco. The application fee is
non-refundable.

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