Art, Culture and local history
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About the project
Art, Culture and local history
📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
The Foundation received the proposal of helping a “Living Museum” who is interested to contribute in the conservation and revitalization of the tangible and intangible cultural heritage of the Kichwa Otavalango people, through research, tourism development
and cultural education.
💼 What the programme involves
Work: The work in the Museum includes working with tools such as shovels, hoes and others, that means being ready to get dirty! The participants are going to support the families renovating and readjustment of the entrance, to repair the stairs of the pyramid- channel of water and the development of educational games for children about the art of weaving.The project is going carried out, with the help of the local community (families) Study Theme: Local culture, community life, local history
Description: The Museo Viviente is a fascinating place. It is located in an old textile factory where from 1851 to 1998 (!) Members of the local indigenous group Kichwa had to work under terrible circumstances. In 2011, a group of Kichwa families managed to buy the place to create a cultural Centre including a museum of Kichwa culture and a space for cultural and social events and Kichwa language classes. The space has a lot of potential, but needs some help to be rebuilt.
🏠 Accommodation on site
We are going to sleep, work and eat in the museum. The museum is located in walking distance from the vivid city Centre of Otavalo with its famous indigenous handicrafts market.
📍 About the location
Otavalo is a town two hours from the north of Quito by bus. It lays at the base of the volcano Imbabura and in its surroundings, you can find many beautiful lakes and waterfalls, possible destinations for excursions. The city is vibrating with energy and at the same time more relaxed and a lot safer than the metropolis Quito. Otavalo is an interesting place because of the significance of the indigenous culture with its festivities, clothes, handicrafts, music etc. As we are going to work in the museum, you are going to learn a lot about local culture.
🎒 Leisure activities
Afternoons after work are free to do any kind of group activity such as sports, walking around, or simply enjoy the place.
⚠️ Requirements
WHAT TO BRING
Bring clothes that you do not mind if they get damaged. It is preferable to wear long pants and
long-sleeved shirts to protect yourself from mosquitoes or branches.
Insect repellent
Work gloves
Light clothes but a couple of jackets (the weather is unpredictable)
Medicines if you suffer from any particular condition.
Raincoat
Sandals and walking shoes
Sunscreen
Lantern
Cap
Towel and all your personal hygiene items
Please bring a sleeping bag.
🤝 Meeting point
MEETING POINT IN QUITO OR OTAVALO
The 24th of November will be the meeting day, IN QUITO: In case you want us to ask a taxi to pick you up from the airport to come to the foundation house in Quito the day before of the meeting day, please let us know, don’t forget to send us the details of your flight, you and me will travel on the next day to Otavalo. If you need to make more questions about this, just let us know.
In Otavalo: In case you already are in Ecuador and prefer to go directly to Otavalo, please let us know in order to send you instructions and information of how to get there and for assitance.
ℹ️ Additional information
General Rules to volunteer in our Workcamp
The volunteer will self-prepare emotionally and intellectually by investigating more about
Ecuador and about the placement where he/she will assist.
The volunteer must send their flight information to the Foundation via email.
The volunteer will respect the new culture and its traditions
The volunteer will respect work and food itineraries
Our Workcamps are free of drugs and liquor, Disrespecting these rules may result in immediate
dismissal without any refund
Smoking inside the house is not allowed. Cigarette butts and ash must be properly disposed.
The volunteers will help with some house cleaning like doing the dishes or cleaning the
bathroom, sweeping the floor.
The volunteers will take care of the furniture, kitchen utensils, house keys, etc. If you broke
down or lost items in the project, please replace as soon as possible.
Any complaint against the local project or accommodation must be reported to the Foundation’s
Coordinator in order to look for any immediate solution.
The volunteers are responsible to keep their bedroom and belongings tidy.
The volunteer must have the courtesy to always clean and dry the shower room after use.
Volunteers must inform the Foundation in advance about their vegetarian diet or any food
allergies.
Toilette paper or any feminine sanitary products are not to be flushed in the toilet in any place
of Ecuador, in case you don’t follow this instruction, any damage will be paid by the volunteer
Do not forget to blow off candles ,whenever possible, please use flashlights
For your personal security please follow the safety rules
Fees are not refundable if the volunteers decide to cut their placement because of personal
plans or any kind of reason. So please plan your trip, time and budget accordingly.
Interested in this project? Create your account and apply online.
Sign in to apply📅 Available sessions
EC-CHI-11-2019
24/11/2019 → 08/12/2019
ℹ️ Key information
Age required
18–55 years old
Solidarity donation
225.00 USD ≈ 202 EUR
French tax residents may be eligible for a tax reduction of up to 66% of their costs (membership, plane tickets, solidarity donation).
📍 Location
Otavalo, Ecuador
Ecuador
🌍 Location info
Local currency
United States Dollar (USD / $)
Exchange rate
1 USD = 0.895608 EUR
Rate as of 31/05/2026
Timezone
Ecuador Time
Local time: 22:19 (12/11/2026)
🛡️ Before you leave
✅ Features
🗣️ Languages spoken