Help at our family store and other community projects in San Miguel de Brasil, Ecuador

Details

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  Description

  Hello and welcome!
  
  My name is Ivan and I’m from the small village of San Miguel de Brasil, located in the southwest of Ecuador near the city of Machala, in the province of El Oro. Our area is surrounded by banana plantations, cacao farms, tropical fruits, rivers, mountains, and nearby gold mining towns full of history and culture.
  
  This is a true rural Ecuadorian experience — there are no English speakers in our town, so it’s the perfect place if you really want to improve your Spanish and experience daily life in a local community.
  
  I live here with my family and together we run the local community store where people from the village come every day to buy food, supplies, and everything they need. We are looking for friendly, open-minded volunteers who would like to help us organize the store, assist customers, and bring fresh ideas. It’s a great opportunity to practice Spanish naturally while connecting with local people.
  
  We are also very excited because we recently started a new organic artisanal chocolate project, working directly from cacao grown in our area. We are now beginning the process of creating handmade chocolate products from farm to final product, and we would especially love to host volunteers interested in:• marketing and social media• photography/video content• branding and packaging ideas• sustainable tourism• organic farming and cacao culture• creative business ideas
  
  If you enjoy community life, culture, nature, and authentic experiences away from mass tourism, this could be a very special place for you.
  
  In the village we have a town square, school, church, small health center, and a beautiful clean river nearby where you can swim, relax, or disconnect from the stress of city life. Volunteers are also welcome to visit local classes and help students practice English.
  
  During your free time, there are many beautiful places to explore in the province of El Oro, including:• Zaruma — a scenic colonial mountain town famous for its gold mining history• The Puyango Petrified Forest• Rivers, waterfalls, farms, and countryside trails throughout the region
  
  This is not a tourist town. It’s a real cultural exchange experience where you become part of the community. Foreigners are still very rare here, so people are genuinely curious, welcoming, and excited to meet visitors from other parts of the world.
  
  We look forward to welcoming people who are respectful, curious, community-minded, and excited to share ideas while learning from local life in Ecuador.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  Light maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The meals are included, A great opportunity to try the local food and specialties!!!
  Sleep for free
  Free Spanish classes with the children in the local school.(opportunity to learn/improve)
  In this village you will be the only outsider.
  You willl learn everything about our culture, daily life, and even more important; our organic products! You will see how we work with cacao!!

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  We need some extra help with organisation, helping costumers and other community projects (helping in school, health center etc.)

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  Own room (closet and double bed) and meals in our family house.

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  What else ...

  The house is just above the store, located on the main Street next to the church and central park.
  Across the street is the school.
  We are close to Machala.
  Village has a beautiful river and nice pool to have a swim.
  My father has a farm with animals, cacao, oranges and more... all organic!

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  This host has indicated that they love having digital nomads stay.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  Yes, I Have.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  My animals / pets

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