Projects Abroad, the global leader in overseas volunteer work placements has just added two new destinations to its growing portfolio, taking its worldwide volunteering opportunities to more than 27 different countries across the globe.  These new projects will see Projects Abroad offer teaching, care and conservation placements in the thriving town of Baños, Ecuador, on the Pacific coast of South America, and care and teaching projects in the Javanese city of Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

The conservation project in Ecuador is based on the edge of the remaining area of the rainforest.  With 80 per cent of the country’s rainforests having been destroyed over the past 30 years, it’s vitally important to conserve what is left.

Dr Peter Slowe, director and founder at Projects Abroad explains: “Ecuador suffered its worst crisis in the late 1990s, with natural disasters and sharp declines in world oil prices which were devastating for its economy.  Although it stabilised in 2000 when it adopted the US dollar as its currency, Ecuador still has a long way to go.  A third of its population still lives below the poverty line.  Our volunteers can really make a difference to people’s lives, and the Ecuadorian people really welcome them into their communities.  And, by the way, Ecuador is a stunning country with incredible variety - tropical rainforest, sandy beaches snowy Andean peaks and great cities too.”

For those opting to get involved in care and teaching placements in Indonesia, volunteers can expect to experience work in orphanages and work with young children with disabilities.  Projects Abroad in Indonesia also needs volunteers to teach English in primary and secondary schools.  Yogyakarta is the true centre of Javanese arts and culture so volunteering here provides a unique way to experience in depth life in Java and to be part of the Indonesian way of life.

On Indonesia, Dr Slowe says, “The contrast between Indonesia’s rich and poor is obvious in Yogyakarta.  Although many have benefited from the city’s popularity with tourists, many people have yet to feel this benefit and over a third of the population are still in deep poverty.  We’ve seen a keen demand for volunteers in this destination, and their work can really change people’s lives for the better”.

These new projects and destinations are open to anyone interested in volunteering in the developing world, whether on a gap year, summer placement or career break.