Our Story
For the last thirteen years this student-driven organization has provided selected university students a once in a lifetime opportunity to travel to Ecuador, South America to participate in a unique and comprehensive program appealing to their volunteer, travel and academic interests.
The Help portion of this program has impacted the lives of many people in Ecuador. In previous years of the program, HLD students have developed projects to assist not only individuals, but whole communities in Ecuador as well. Previous projects have included: the renovation of a dilapidated building into a safe and secure medical clinic, the renovation of an orphanage kitchen including the purchase of new appliances, the full renovation of an orphanage in a rural area of Ecuador, the rehabilitation of a small school for children with physical disabilities, and the financing of critical surgeries for orphaned children with life-threatening birth defects.
From 2008-2010, HLD worked with a community called Chunchi. Over the course of 3 summers, HLD raised more than $260,000; this money raised by our University student participants was then used to construct 35 houses, giving 35 families in Chunchi a place to call their own.
In 2011, we worked with another underpriviledged community near the town of Colta. Over the course of the summer, we raised over $108,000 and built 22 homes for families in the community.
In the summer of 2012, Help, Learn & Discover´s 120 hardworking volunteers raised $120,000 and built 20 homes for the deserving families of Pallatanga.
In 2013, our dream turned into a reality once again. The 165 volunteers from across North America raised $165,000 and built 21 homes for 21 incredible families in the town of Camarones.
In 2014, students from across North America built homes for 21 families in Pujili, Ecuador. These homes were built with money fundraised by students.
In 2015-2017, students from across North America built homes for 42 families in Pujili, Ecuador once again. These homes were built with money fundraised by students in North America.
For more information about the program, our volunteer experiences, and our project for the summer of 2018, please visit www.ecuaexperience.com