Fundación Yanapuma

Website: www.yanapuma.org
Spanish school Website: www.yanapumaspanish.org
E-mail: staff@yanapuma.org
Phone: +593 (0)2290 7643

Who they are

Fundación Yanapuma is a cooperative non-profit driven by the enthusiasm of its national and international staff and volunteers to work towards the realization of its vision of marginalized communities achieving equity and well-being; ecological, social and economic sustainability; and developing a sense of the uniqueness of their culture and place in the global context. They also envision accessible communication between members of developed and developing countries that fosters an understanding of their inter-relationship and interdependence within our globalized world.

Yanapuma aims to alleviate poverty and implement sustainable development through capacity building in marginalized populations, by balancing income generation with environmental stewardship, education and well-being in accordance with the Millennium Development Goals and Ecuador’s national development policy. Furthermore, they work to create opportunities for cultural exchange between members of developed and developing countries for mutual benefit and learning by implementing educational and volunteer programs.

What they do

Yanapuma utilises an integrated strategy for sustainable development based upon encouraging participation and collaboration and avoiding paternalism. Within this model, project development takes place in discrete phases and areas, but always with an understanding of how the parts will fit together into a unified strategy.

To this end projects are always developed with a long- term view of facilitating and sustaining change processes through the creation of economic opportunities, delivery of services and capacity development. This approach entails a holistic programmatic vision of sustainable development always grounded upon the view that it is the people themselves who are the true drivers of their own future. Over the last two years the dialogue of defining this methodology has led Yanapuma down a path that incorporates seven basic elements, all of which help to sustain a participatory action oriented and community driven approach to sustainable development:
Collaboration:
Build confidence and transparency between the foundation and local beneficiaries
Participation and Communication:
Construct spaces of dialogue in order to understand community needs and resources
Networks:
Form organizational networks for project financing, development and implementation
Capacity Development:
Promote social responsibility and dialogue through participatory project planning and action group formation
Sustainability:
Promote sustainability through working alongside community action groups in project development
Integration:
Implement multisectoral programs that integrate agriculture, health and education to promote a sustainable future together with local beneficiaries
Evaluation and learning:
Monitor and evaluate projects with community action groups to improve project implementation

What they offer

Volunteer Opportunities:
Whether you have a special skill to offer, or just want to do something useful, Yanapuma is happy to connect you with a trustworthy organisation:
- The advantages of arranging everything through Yanapuma are:
- You can be assured that these organisations are reliable and well run
- You will be provided with a full orientation when you arrive in Quito
- That the volunteer program is tailored specifically for you
- Yanapuma staff will accompany you there to introduce you and get you settled in
- That there will be no nasty surprises when you get there
- Yanapuma will offer ongoing volunteer support in case it is needed
- That your volunteering efforts will be in aid of a truly worthwhile cause
Internship Opportunities:
Yanapuma offers a list of specific internship opportunities where you are able to work as part of the foundation, in coordination with staff on specific ongoing projects. Such internships are primarily work oriented rather than research based, although some time will be allowed for carrying out assignments associated with fulfilling the academic requirements of your home institution. Interns will work between 3 to 6 months in the office, the field, or both.
Research Opportunities:
Yanapuma also offers research opportunities in a variety of fields associated with the mission of the foundation. Students will receive in-country supervision in tandem with their institution’s academic advisor. The benefits of basing your research out of Yanapuma is that they can:
- Pre-arrange possible research sites, accommodation and meal costs, etc., prior to arrival in Ecuador
- Discuss research options, topics and possibilities prior to arrival in Ecuador
- Provide a holistic orientation to Ecuador and the cultural/political environment
- Provide regular meetings as appropriate to discuss methodology, theory, data gathering, problems that arise, etc.
- Facilitate introductions to local experts in relevant fields.
- Provide free internet use for those with their own laptops and paid computer access for those without
Spanish School:
Yanapuma provides professional Spanish instruction at their school for all levels and according to your individual needs in a warm and comfortable environment. Their friendly staff, qualified Spanish teachers, and welcoming home-stay families and hotels help create a fun and rewarding atmosphere for learning Spanish. They also offer various packages that allow you to get out and about in Quito or to the communities they work with to really practice your Spanish.

Location

Fundación Yanapuma
E8-125 Veintimilla y 6 de Diciembre, Quito – Ecuador

View on Google Maps

More information

Check out the community Bua de Los Tsa’chila that Fundación Yanapuma works with.

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