Gain hands-on experience supporting education, health, and sustainable livelihood programs in the Ecuadorian Amazon
Join this Community Development Internship in Ecuador and make a meaningful contribution to local communities in the area of your choice. This immersive internship provides opportunities to support initiatives in education, health, women’s empowerment, and sustainable livelihoods, all while developing leadership, intercultural, and professional skills.
Interns work alongside a diverse team, gaining exposure to multiple programs while also having the chance to focus on areas that align with their interests and passions. You may assist with school programs, workshops, community empowerment initiatives, environmental or agricultural projects, and local events.
Living and working within this local community offers firsthand experience of everyday life, cross-cultural engagement, and personal growth. This internship combines professional development with meaningful community impact, helping interns contribute to the grassroots’ mission to empower communities and support long-term development.
Learning Objectives
You’ll be working with Manna Project International. This nonprofit works to connect young talented advocates for social change with projects where they can serve disadvantaged communities and help break the cycle of poverty. Their mission is to enact social change through ‘communities serving communities.’
Their projects take a holistic approach to community development, developing systems for health, economic development, education and whatever else is needed. They’ve been working in Latin America since 2004, and their projects serve more than 3.000 community members a year and help to break the cycle of poverty.
Internship tasks are tailored to your skills and the community’s needs. While you’ll gain exposure to a variety of ongoing programs, you can also focus on specific areas of interest, contributing meaningfully to projects in your chosen field: Public Health, Education & Youth Empowerment, Sustainability, and International Development.
You will stay in one of two houses, both of which are within walking distance of the school and Manna’s centro. Both are well-equipped with Wifi, a full kitchen, and interior bathrooms.
Safety is seldom an issue and crime rate in the Napo province is much lower than in the rest of Ecuador. You will notice how safe these jungle communities are in comparison with other locations in Latin America. While unlikely that you encounter any issues, you should still implement safe travel practices such as paying attention to your surroundings, not wearing flashy jewelry, and being careful where you place your valuables. Make sure to visit your doctor and dentist for a check-up before your internship and to get all the recommended vaccines and/or medications necessary to stay healthy.
The accommodation and community center are connected to Wifi. It is also recommended to buy a local MOVISTAR SIM card upon arrival to Shandia so be sure your phone is unlocked for international carriers.
Bottled water jugs will be provided at both the accommodation and community center. All food is bought and shared communally on a weekly basis. Specific foods can be requested (though not guaranteed). Since you will assist with the shopping and cooking yourself, it is fairly easy to accommodate food allergies or dietary restrictions. Larger supermarkets can be found in Tena City, while Shandia offers a few small shops that sell snacks, drinks, and some produce.
Shandia is a small rural settlement of around 300 people situated in the Amazonian Rainforest region of Ecuador, a short distance from the town of Tena. The residents of Shandia are an indigenous Kichwa community speaking predominantly Spanish and the traditional language of the region, Kichwa — less than 10% speak English. Being the Amazonian Rainforest, weather is hot and humid year-round and you can expect a wealth of rivers, waterfalls, and outdoors activities in the area.
Internships ideally start in January or July. If you prefer a different start date, please contact us and we can discuss possibilities during the selection process.
What you’ll pay (2026 rates)
4 weeks USD 2,673
6 weeks USD 3,599
8 weeks USD 4,486
10 weeks USD 5,165
Internships longer than 10 weeks are possible - please get in touch for rates.
Some of our most commonly asked questions for programs in Ecuador.
You can expect to work on your Spanish language skills while gaining hands-on experience in your preferred field. From exploring diverse ecosystems to engaging with local communities, your stay in Ecuador will provide you with insights into the country’s rich biodiversity, while the challenges and accomplishments that you experience will foster your adaptability and global perspective.
Yes! There is always time to explore the surrounding area. Our nonprofit partners are based around the country (and on the Galapagos Islands) and they can offer recommendations about which places are the best to visit! When you are based on the mainland, some of the highlights of Ecuador are, for example, the city of Cuenca or the Cotopaxi National Park. If you are based on the Galapagos Islands, there are great excursion options on the island(s) including fantastic diving. If you are keen to also explore the mainland of Ecuador, you will need to do so before or after your Galapagos internship because of the distance (and costs of the flight).
Yes, but you must ensure with your university that your supervisor approves this. It is also possible to purchase transfer credits that can be added to your internship.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to receive any kind of stipend while interning. As your internship with the nonprofit organization will be unpaid, you can check out ways to fund your internship here. The wealth of knowledge and opportunities for both professional and personal growth throughout your experience are invaluable!
If you’re ready to apply for this internship, here’s what to do:
Fill in the application form (it will show in a new screen) which includes sharing your CV to us.
We’ll set up a call with you to go through your application.
If we feel it’s a good match, we’ll set up a call between you and the supervisor for this internship.
If everyone’s happy, we’ll provisionally confirm your placement! We’ll then send you the invoice for the deposit, getting started with the booking process and all the info you need.
Only once we receive payment of the deposit your placement will be confirmed.
Or if you’d just like to ask us some questions about this internship first, just fill in the contact form below. We’ll be happy to assist!
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What to Expect From A Grassroots Research Internship in Ecuador
ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.TEST
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ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
ABOUT US
At Roots, we create the perfect balance between meaningful work and valuable learning through internships with nonprofits & social enterprises in Africa, Asia, Europe, and Latin America.
CONTACT
UK: +44 139 269 0255
US: +1 617 500 6179
internship@rootsinterns.com
OFFICE: Cape Town, South Africa
SOCIAL
SIGN UP TO OUR NEWSLETTER
