Ecuador Internship Program - Fall 2011

We are looking for motivated, enthusiastic and adventurous interns to join us in the Amazon jungle and help support the growth of our budding social enterprise. Interns with Fundación Runa will have the chance to take on ground breaking research in a range of areas which are essential for the growth and development of guayusa and indigenous communities that we work with. Interns will work alongside our experienced technicians and engineers in the field and also have the chance to participate in cultural exchange events and guayusa ceremonies. Runa's work is highly dynamic, highly collaborative and exciting at every turn. We invite you to join us in the Ecuadorian Amazon.

Runa requests that researchers commit to a minimum of 8 weeks on the ground in Ecuador, have an advanced level of Spanish proficiency, and bring specialized knowledge in their area of research.  Researchers are expected to finance their own travel costs and accommodations. Runa offers the knowledge and time of its engineers and field technicians, technical knowledge and informational databases, access to communities, NGOs, government agencies, and consultants, and pre- and post-research support.

Currently we are looking for interns to work in the following areas:

Guayusa (Ilex guayusa) is a native holly tree to the Ecuadorian Amazon. Historically, the tree has been wild harvested or cultivated in small quantities. Runa works with indigenous farmers to boost production of guayusa by growing it in agroforestry systems. Researchers on our agroforestry team will work with farmers and Runa field technicians to design a participatory research initiative.

Researchers on our economic team will investigate the costs and benefits of guayusa production in the Napo region. They will work with our local field team and farmers to calculate net present value of guayusa plantations, opportunity costs, and the social/environmental benefits of production.

Interns and researchers on our community development team will work with Fundación Runa and the farmers' association to survey the needs of indigenous communities. The team will work together to design the survey and then spend a considerable amount of time interviewing communities in the field. This information will be gathered for planning of future projects.

Interns and researchers on our conservation team will work in the communities of Santa Rita and Alto Tena to monitor conservation buffer zones around the Colonso Protected Forest. The Colonso Forest is a 10,000 hectare (22,000 acre) reserve of primary rainforest that serves as the water source for the towns of Tena and Archidona.

Interns will be responsible for creating engaging and provocative videos about Runa's work in the Ecuadorian Amazon, highlighting the farmers we work with, the significance of to the Kichwa culture and the dynamic Amazon jungle. You will develop brand awarness by creating digital online and web media. This will be accomplished by preparing, editing, updating and composing online material such as graphics, photos and audio/visual clips which will be integrated into our social media networks.

Researchers and interns will work with Runa field technicians and indigenous communities to investigate and develop methods of organic agriculture. Interns will create a monitoring and evaluation system to establish costs, benefits and prevalence of chemical fertilizers and pesticides versus organic methods. From this, interns and researchers will structure an incentives system for converting to organic agriculture and work alongside farmers to develop demonstration areas for organic fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.

Living Arrangements

Volunteers and interns stay in "Casa Runa" in Tena. The house has 3 floors and sleeps 6-7 people. It is a 10 minute walk from the centre of Tena in the barrio Las Hierbitas. The house has a kitchen, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, hot water and a balcony with a hammock and beautiful view of the river and the jungle. All bedding is provided. Volunteers and interns are responsible for their own food, but often cook communally.

Costs:

8 weeks room and program fees………..$1600
10 weeks room and program fees............$2000
Additional weeks…………………….....$200/week

These costs cover room and program fees in Tena, Ecuador. Travel to and from Tena is not included. Runa has a limited amount of scholarship funds available to go towards these costs if applicants have exhausted other funding opportunities.

Application Process:

Please send the following directly to Cass Walker at volunteer@runa.org.

1. A simple resume
2. Letter of intent (including which project you are applying for and why you want to intern)
3. Two references (email addresses are OK)

If you are interested in working with us or have any questions about the internship program please send an email directly to volunteer@runa.org or visit our Fundación Runa website.