Join Hands with Tandana in Otavalo, Ecuador, or from anywhere in the world!
Go beyond your typical travel or volunteer experience on a "Trip with Intention" with us to highland Ecuador. These trips provide individuals and groups an exciting opportunity to connect with community members and contribute to their projects - all the while learning about the local Kichwa culture and enjoying the region’s majestic natural beauty. We also offer remote opportunities from the comfort of your own home to learn about Ecuador and Mali.
A variety of ways for your class, group, or club to connect online with Tandana
partners in Ecuador and Mali such as Cultural Activities, Speakers Bureau, and more.
"You will go home absolutely overwhelmed by what you saw, who you met, what you've learned, and how your heart has expanded. You will be inspired to exceed your own expectations of yourself." - Jim, volunteer from Montana
Join Tandana on an adventure of a lifetime! We offer open-enrollment volunteer programs for adults or families as well as custom group volunteer programs for all ages. These trips bring together diverse individuals united by a desire to learn, grow, share, and contribute to the communities they visit. They provide opportunities to experience life in Ecuadorian communities; exchange ideas with locals of different perspectives, ages, and vocations; and give and receive joy.
Did you know that your trip with Tandana is a net zero-emission trip? Click here for more details.
The results are in! After taking a brief post-program survey:
90% of respondents say that they would participate in a Tandana program again.
96% of respondents say that they would recommend a Tandana program to others.
97% of respondents say that they feel that this experience has helped them grow in a positive way.
For a taste of what our trips are like, watch this short video...
Below you can read stories from our blog to get excited about your upcoming trip!
May
14
All about Saline High School’s intercultural volunteer trip to Ecuador
Saline High School (SHS) senior Michael Moore stood by and smiled as a group of enthusiastic kindergarten students painted golden sand dunes on a beach. The children were energetic helpers and worked quickly to depict a young Ecuadorian boy walking by the sea at sunset as a crab, whale, and fisherman look on. Español Français -; Continue reading "All about Saline High School’s intercultural volunteer trip to Ecuador"
Community Building and Kindness: What I learned in Muenala, Ecuador
I’ll always look back fondly on the time I spent in the community of Muenala with The Tandana Foundation. It was such an overwhelmingly positive experience that even just thinking about it now brings a smile to my face. From the welcoming members of the community, to the beautiful view of the mountains, to the '; Continue reading "Community Building and Kindness: What I learned in Muenala, Ecuador"
Simultaneous interpretation: The linchpin of Tandana’s multilingual virtual gatherings
Like the rest of the world, The Tandana Foundation moved many of its programs, events, and other offerings to virtual formats during the pandemic. But for a multilingual organization, the pivot to virtual also presented a new opportunity: To organize gatherings where all English-, French-, and Spanish-speaking participants could listen to the proceedings in their <; Continue reading "Simultaneous interpretation: The linchpin of Tandana’s multilingual virtual gatherings"
Transformation and truth: My Ecuadorian cultural travel adventure
Picture yourself at the El Lechero Viewpoint embraced by volcanoes: Father Imbabura on the one side and Mother Cotacachi on the other, overlooking the city of Otavalo and San Pablo Lake. Español Français That is where the “Ohio Master Gardener Ecuadorian Cultural Travel Adventure” (as I like to call it) gathered a week ago to OE; Continue reading "Transformation and truth: My Ecuadorian cultural travel adventure"
My unforgettable experience as a Tandana volunteer intern
I came, I saw, and we planted a lot of plants. I am an Antioch College student who was able to take part in the return of The Tandana Foundation’s first in-person volunteer internship since 2020. I arrived on a sunny day to meet Tandana team members Gaetan, Margarita, and Vero, and my host family. +; Continue reading "My unforgettable experience as a Tandana volunteer intern"
