Ecuador - Teaching in Peñaherrera

This tiny town of around 150 people is about 8km (20mins drive) from Apuela, at an altitude of 2000m.

The Escuela Fiscal Mixta "España" Peñaherrera is a small school of 70 pupils and 5 fulltime teachers.  The children are fun and playful but apparently are disciplined when in lessons.  In Ecuador, the teacher is boss!

Volunteers live and eat with the Presidents’ brother and his family on the town square, and have the opportunity to spend the weekends with the President and his wife their house in Nangulvi, about 20 minutes 4x4 drive through the mountains – The views from here are unbeatable!

Apart from teaching, volunteers may also want to get involved with local schemes such as jam-making, painting programmes in the school, adult teaching and possibly conservation work.  Previous volunteers have also run a radio show with Maria on radio Intag every afternoon from 3 to 4pm and taught English via the radio!

There are two daily buses that travel from Otavalo to Peñaherrera and they always pass through Apuela on the way.

Interested? To find out about the next step to becoming a volunteer, read our application process.