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Ecuador, Don Juan
Casa de Oficios
Construction period: Nov 2022 - Jun 2023

Facts

Type of facility

Training center with study area, rooms for educators, sanitary facilities, and a warehouse

Students

180 per year min

Budget

$36,000

NGO partner

A Mano Manaba

Education

Academic year

September to July

Literacy rate (15+ years old)

94.49 %

 

Project implementation

Don Juan is a small village with a population of 1,200. After the COVID-19 lockdown, the educational situation in the village worsened. With the help of a local NGO called A Mano Manaba (FAMM), Acronis built a vocational training center for young people, especially focused on women’s education. FAMM plans to teach at least 15 young girls per each month-long training.

All of FAMM’s educational programs are created in response to the needs of the community. Moreover, six out of the eight members on the board are local residents. FAMM also runs a local library which will is located next to the future training center.

The newly-built vocational center is seismically resistant and includes a training workshop, accommodation for volunteers, two bedrooms, one bathroom, and a warehouse to store machinery and tools. The training is led by international volunteers with the necessary professional skills who stay in Don Juan for three months. FAMM provides food, lodging, and an unique intercultural experience for the volunteers.

The workshop employs the “horizontal dialogue” method to collaborate with beneficiaries and the community in deciding the range of training programs offered at this facility. The initial programs include bicycle mechanics, sewing, and pattern-making.

 

Gallery

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News from the project

Updates on the vocational training center in Don Juan,…
In the summer of 2023, the completion of the vocational training center in Don Juan, Ecuador marked a significant milestone for the community.…
Empowering Don Juan, Ecuador: a beacon of change through…
In the picturesque village of Don Juan, nestled with care between rolling hills and serene landscapes, a transformation is underway. With a…
Show all news

About the country

Country

Republic of Ecuador

Capital city

Quito

Population

17 million people

Currency

USD

Major languages

Spanish, Quechua, Shuar

Travel information

Ecuador has a diverse climate due to its location on the equator, with coastal areas experiencing a tropical climate, the Andean region having a temperate climate, and the Amazonian region having a humid climate.

Dry season

June to September along the coast and from June to November in the Andean highlands

Wet season

December to May along the coast, from October to May in the Andean highlands, and from April to August in the Amazon region

Average annual temperature

Along the coast, the average temperature ranges from 25°C (77°F) to 31°C (88°F) with high humidity, while in the Andean highlands, the temperature is cooler and ranges from 7°C (45°F) to 20°C (68°F) depending on the altitude. In the Amazon region, the average temperature is generally around 26°C (79°F), with high humidity and rainfall throughout the year.

Sightseeing

Galápagos Islands

The Galápagos Islands are a volcanic archipelago in the Pacific Ocean, known for their unique wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, and a variety of bird species, many of which are found nowhere else in the world. The islands played a crucial role in the development of Charles Darwin’s theory of evolution by natural selection.

Photo: ShutterStock

Quito

Quito is the capital city of Ecuador and is located in the Andes Mountains at an elevation of over 2,800 meters above sea level, making it one of the highest capital cities in the world. The city’s historic center, known as the “Old Town,” is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to numerous colonial-era buildings and churches.

Photo: Pixabay

Cajas National Park

Cajas National Park is a protected area located in the Andes Mountains of southern Ecuador, covering an area of over 28,000 hectares. The park is known for its stunning high-altitude landscapes, including more than 200 lakes and lagoons, as well as its unique flora and fauna, which includes endemic bird species and the elusive Andean spectacled bear. The park offers a range of outdoor activities, including hiking, camping, fishing, and birdwatching.

Photo: ShutterStock

Ingapirca

Ingapirca is an archaeological site located in southern Ecuador, near the city of Cuenca. It was once an important religious and administrative center of the Inca Empire and features a complex of well-preserved stone structures, including a sun temple, a castle, and several terraces. The site also offers stunning views of the surrounding Andean mountains and is a popular destination for tourists interested in learning about the region’s rich pre-Columbian history.

Photo: ShutterStock

Pailon del Diablo

Pailon del Diablo is a waterfall located in the Ecuadorian Andes, near the town of Baños. With a height of around 80 meters, the waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and can be reached by hiking or biking along scenic trails. Visitors can get up close to the waterfall via a suspension bridge that offers spectacular views of the rushing water and surrounding jungle.

Photo: ShutterStock

Cotopaxi volcano

Cotopaxi is an active stratovolcano located in the Andes Mountains, about 50 km south of Quito. It is one of the world’s highest active volcanoes, with a height of 5,897 meters, and is known for its symmetrical cone shape and snow-capped summit. Despite its status as an active volcano, Cotopaxi is a popular destination for hikers and mountaineers, offering challenging climbs and stunning views of the surrounding Andean landscape.

Photo: ShutterStock

Travel tips

Hotel recommendations

Quito: Hotel La Cartuja, Hostal Belmont Plaza, Hotel Sierra Madre

Puerto López: Hostal Humpback, Hotel Ancora, Hotel Agua Blanca

Places to eat

Quito: Café Mosaico, Zazu, Mercado Central

Puerto López: Restaurante Don Willy, El Faro, Hosteria Mandála

Best souvenirs from the country

Chocolate, Aguardiente, panela, coffee, rondador (panpipes), panama hats, Balsa wood carvings and products, filagra, Andean music instruments

Taxi

Uber, Cabify, Easy Taxi, Yellow taxis, Radio taxis

Travel agencies

Happy Gringo, Latin Adventures, Metropolitan Touring, Andean Adventures, Wanderbus

Interpreting services

Interpreting Ecuador, Andean Language Services, Inlingua, Language Solutions, TransLingua

Proposed one week tour

Day 1: Quito

Day 2: Pailon del Diablo

Day 3: Cotopaxi volcano

Day 4: School visit

Day 5: Cajas National Park

Day 6: Ingapirca

Day 7: Galápagos Islands

Read what community says about the project

My experience is threefold: I am a member of the community, I am part of the staff, and I have been a student in one of the courses at the training center . This place has made me and my family gain skills we didn’t know we had. My father took the bicycle repair workshop and now earns extra income from his little shop. Everyone in the community loves this place because it is an open space, visible to everyone. They feel safe and happy when they come. I registered for the painting workshop during my vacation and was very happy. I learned a lot about materials and techniques and gained confidence in my skills. I also laughed and enjoyed the neighbors who enrolled in that course. I think that the large esplanade of the training center contributes a lot to the success of the courses; it would not be the same if we had to lock ourselves in a room or a warehouse to paint. This is a bright, fresh, clean space…in this community, it is important to be visible; many women are not allowed to leave their house, so this is the perfect place because their husbands or fathers can see what they are doing and where they are. Everyone was so happy to be here! The training center exudes happiness.
Adriana Vaca
Mono Manaba member
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