A Day In The Life 

...of an EEE Intern/Volunteer

Meet our Interns and Volunteers!

We've had the opportunity to welcome some really incredible interns and volunteers to our program here in Montanita. We couldn't be more grateful for their enthusiasm, optimism, and tireless belief in our cause.

Meet Pablo: Argentina
A photographer traveling South America on his motorcycle, Pablo has gifted EEE with some incredible photos that really reveal the essence of what we're doing here. He spent a month and a half here as a volunteer before deciding to hit the road again. We held a photo exposition for both parents and children on the beach the day before his departure.

Meet Andrea: Chile
Aptly nicknamed "Pachamama" (roughly translates to Mother Earth), Andrea has been an incredible addition to our team here. Her warmth and enthusiasm permeates each lesson she teaches. The kids really adore her, and she is absolutely smitten with all of them (around 25 ninos!). She's also been a huge help with our organic garden (even singing to the plants, haha, how cute!). She'll be spending the next few months here.

Meet Julia: U.S.
A future veterinarian (and might I add, quite promising), Julia arrived here from Pennsylvania about a month ago. She's done a wonderful job with our horses, and the kids. She's a huge part of our equine therapy, and has really helped with the overall organization of our program. Her love for horses is obvious, and her sense of humor is more than appreciated.

Meet Brigitte: Switzerland
Brigitte hails from Switzerland, and has been a tremendous help with all aspects of the program. Her forte seems to be redirecting attention, and really, just all around silly gimmicks. She's goofy and energetic, and needless to say, quite popular with the kids. 

Meet Sara: U.S. (soon):
Sara arrives today. 


For more EEE photos and news add us on FB: Francisco Michel Averos or francisco_averos@hotmail.com (co-director)

Support EEE!

Remember, this program is absolutely FREE for all children and parents. Therefore, your help is crucial! If you'd like to support our mission, we'd love donations of any of the following:

• Art Supplies (paper, pencils, paints, stencils, stickers, magazines, containers, glue, glitter)
• Recycled Materials (fabric, paper scraps, wood scraps, jars, tin cans)
• Horse Supplies (saddles, ropes, bridles)
• Horse Food (cut grass, corn, etc.)
• Monetary Support
• People Power (want to volunteer for the afternoon? Stop by MWF)
• Kind Words (your encouraging words inspire and energize us. kind words are always welcome.)

Not sure where to send/bring things? 

Email us here at: ecuadorequinexperience@gmail.com

If you don't have anything to donate, but you would still like to support us, we encourage to do as Gandhi suggested and "Be the Change You Wish to See in the World." If you open your heart and your eyes and do your part in your own life, we have no doubt that we'll feel your efforts here in Ecuador.

EEE's After-School Equine Program "Regreso a la Montaña"

Montanita, Ecuador is a small beautiful beach town that has grown exponentially within the last decade. Due to its rapid growth, a large percentage of Montanita natives have abandoned traditional farming and fishing practices and instead seek employment at local bars and restaurants, or as alcohol vendors. The change has been so swift that it has left the children here without the memory of the former relationship between the natives, the land, and the animals--something that was once so precious. Through Ecuador Equine Experience, we seek to reestablish a relationship between Montanita's children and a more sustainable way of life--a life where humans, earth, and animals, are mutually respected and cared for.

We are using horses as a bridge for this mission. Three times a week we invite children from the local school to interact with EEE's horses and the land. The kids spend the first hour grooming, riding, and generally bonding with the horses, the following hour is dedicated to artistic expression with an underlying message on sustainability. We seek to further unite the community with the help of interns and volunteers with experience in animal sciences, communications/marketing, journalism, and art. Our website is currently under construction, please check out the previous post for more details on the internships. Warmly--EEE

“Horses change lives. They give our young people confidence and self-esteem. They provide peace and tranquility to troubled souls, they give us hope.” 

― Toni Robinson

Juanita showing Palomo love during our equine therapy.

Following a didgeridoo lesson, we used the instrument for limbo
--the kids are really cracking up!

EEE's horse Palomo went to school for "Dia el Nino." 

Polen enjoying a ride around the yard!

Lesson in both art and sustainability. Soon
these planters will have pepper and beans sprouting.

A volunteer on a morning beach ride on one of EEE's mares, Amarilla. 
We're still trying to fatten her up; her last home had only the 
minimum in terms of nutrition.

The house! 5 minutes from the beach, inside of the bluff.

Montanita splendor!

A taste of the town--Montanita culture.

Seeking 2012 Equine, Marketing, Journalism and Art Interns for Months of June, July, August and Beyond


Equine Interns: Ecuador Equine Experience is now seeking two Equine Interns to assist with our horses for the months of June, July or August. Responsibilities include horse training, maintenance of facility, feeding and grooming, and assistance with beach riding tours. You will also be meeting once a week via Skype with a keeper at Disney's Animal Kingdom to discuss progress, training techniques, diet, horse health, etc. EEE is also involved in a weekly program which teaches children about sustainable living and sharing their lives peacefully with nature, animals, and other humans. Ideally, we'd like interns to contribute at the very least ideas for teaching the aforementioned principles and values. Qualifications: Interns must have at least some experience working with large animals, but most importantly, the applicant must possess a desire to pursue a career in animal sciences, a positive attitude, and strong work ethic. Interested candidates must submit a resume to ecuadorequineexperience@gmail.com, which will be followed by a Skype or phone interview if we feel that we have found a suitable match. Spanish is not required.

Marketing Intern: EEE is also seeking a Marketing Intern to assist with online social networking, blogging, and advertising within Ecuador and Montanita. Our Marketing Intern will be expected to assist with our website, and to handle all social networking (Facebook, Twitter). The intern may also be expected to interview some of the participants of our beach rides. EEE is also involved in a M,W,F after-school program which teaches children about sustainable living and sharing their lives peacefully with nature, animals, and other humans. Ideally, we'd like interns to contribute at the very least ideas for teaching the aforementioned principles and values.  We are looking for someone who can truly be an asset to our blooming business and who is innovative and creative. Qualifications: Applicant must have at least one semester within a business/communication/marketing major. Interested candidates must submit a resume to ecuadorequineexperience@gmail.com, which will be followed by a Skype or phone interview if we feel that we have found a suitable match. Spanish is not required. 


Journalism Intern: We are looking for someone to help us further our mission to restore sustainable practices to this beautiful beach town. Essentially, we'd like our intern to write blogs, opinion pieces, press releases, and general news articles for the local paper and our website. We are also in the beginning stages of producing our own publication and are considering seeking an assistant editor for the summer. A semester of undergraduate work, or experience working professionally, and a general interest in sustainable practices. We are looking for someone who is excited about the field, and willing to brain storm in order to implement innovative ways of dispensing information. A beginner's level of Spanish would be helpful, but not necessary.
Interested candidates must submit a resume to ecuadorequineexperience@gmail.com, which will be followed by a Skype or phone interview if we feel that we have found a suitable match.

Art Intern: Ecuador Equine Experience is now seeking an art intern to assist with our after school program during the months of June, July or August and beyond (we'd like intern to stay at least a month, but length is negotiable). Responsibilities include assisting in creating art-centered lesson plans for children 12 and under. We are looking for someone who is creative, innovative, and has a heart for children. We are planning exhibitions of the children's art througout the summer, would really love assistance. Our mission seeks to reunite, man, land, and animal here in this small beach town--our main tools are horses and art.The chosen intern will have the opportunity to display their own art in some of Montanita's restaurants and cafes and in Montanita's cultural center. Qualifications: Interns must have some experience with children and a passion for art. Interested candidates must submit a resume to ecuadorequineexperience@gmail.com, which will be followed by a Skype or phone interview if we feel that we have found a suitable match. Spanish is not required.

*We are seeking interns year round. If you are interested in our open position, but aren't available this summer, don't hesitate to apply.

Cost:
This is a competitive internship, however, we require a donation of $400 for the first month (negotiable, especially for longer lengths of stay). $300 dollars covers rent, utilities, airport pick-up, breakfast, lunch, and all other intern amenities; the other $100 dollars goes directly to the project (horse care, feed, art supplies). The program is absolutely free for children and parents. Basically, this is a typical unpaid internship that requires you to pay for housing, but also includes a donation to a pretty sweet, and totally worthy (in our opinion) project on the coast of Ecuador. If you believe in what we are doing, and want to be a part of it, please apply. We hope to welcome you soon.

Does not include airfare: (check out http://www.studentuniverse.com/ for cheap flights)

Social Mission: Montanita, Ecuador is a small beautiful beach town that has grown exponentially within the last decade. Due to its rapid growth, a large percentage of Montanita natives have abandoned traditional farming and fishing practices and instead seek employment at local bars and restaurants, or as alcohol vendors. The change has been so swift that it has left the children here without even the memory of the former relationship between the natives, the land, and the animals that was once so precious. Through the Equine Center, we seek to reestablish a relationship between Montanita's children and a more sustainable way of life--a life where humans, earth, and animals, are mutually respected and cared for. Our program is absolutely FREE for children and parents.


Amenities:
Both positions include:

Airport Pick-Up

Housing (shared room with up to two other interns)
WIFI

Breakfast and Lunch

24/7 access to our horses

4 tours to different beaches Ecuador's coast

Surfing lessons
Chance to improve or learn Spanish (bilingual veterinarians are currently in demand in the U.S.)

Invaluable international experience

**At the end of your term we will provide you with a letter of recommendation and guaranteed support in future endeavors (reference for grad school, a job, etc.)

Nearby Perks:
Montanita itself is an incredible little place. A small beach town alive with backpackers from all over the globe; it boasts international cuisine, a famous nightlife, and of course one of the world's most beautiful beaches

Montanita Spanish School: http://www.montanitaspanishschool.com/

Montanita Yoga: yogamontanita.com/

Casa Del Sol: casadelsolsurfcamp.com/

image courtesy of  http://holaolacafe.blogspot.com in Montanita

"Employers tend to really like international experience, particularly if you can frame it as beneficial to a specific position...An international experience may be the one thing that puts you a step ahead of your peers in the job market. "

--TalentEgg.Ca--Hatching Graduate Careers

"There is a great need for veterinarians...and an even greater need for bilingual veterinarians to serve our nation's Latino communities," said College of Veterinary Medicine Dean Shirley Johnston.  

-–Western University of Health Sciences