Aymara & Paige HLD Ecuaexperience 2013

Hi there! First off, we'd like to introduce ourselves. We are two best friends who have recently completed first year science in our respective programs at both the University of Calgary and the University of British Columbia. Taking spanish class throughout high school together allowed us to develop a passion for Latin America. By complete coincidence, Aymara in Calgary contacted Paige in Vancouver about a certain volunteer trip to Ecuador in late 2012. A shared affinity for both travel and humanitarianism led us both to apply for this Ecuaexperience and here we are now!

Help, Learn and Discover (HLD) is an organization which offers university students an experience to volunteer abroad in Ecuador, South America. Our students are involved in community development projects which help those in need. The HLD organization collaborates with local non-profit organizations to provide student volunteers with a unique opportunity to contribute to our global community.

As citizens of a privileged country, we feel that it is our responsibility to give back in whatever way we are able. HLD as an organization funds everything from the building of homes to providing essential medical supplies. The two of us along with other student volunteers across North America will be constructing homes this summer for local people in the Camerones region of Ecuador. We will be given the opportunity to work closely with locals of impoverished communities and to assess the needs of organizations that provide care and community support. We will be involved in designing specific projects to address concerns of the highest priority. For example, in 2012, with the help of supporters like you, the organization was able to help construct 20 homes over the course of five months for underprivileged families in Pallatanga, Ecuador. For more information on this project visit: http://www.ecuaexperience.com/pallatanga/home.html

The student volunteers participating in this program work as a team in order to design and implement fundraising opportunities. One hundred percent of ALL donations collected are used to fund the projects mentioned above. There are no over-head costs or administrative fees"”all of the money raised is used to help underprivileged families in Ecuador. Any and all remaining funds collected are not put to waste! Assessing the needs of the community, the money is put towards providing any high-priority medical care needed.

Once the homes are completed, the ownership is handed over to the deserving families. As owners of their new & safe homes, the money that they earn is no longer tied up in paying rent. Their income can now be put towards other essentials such as food, clothing, and most importantly education for their children.

Thank you for taking the time to discover our intents. This cause is something we both are incredibly passionate about. Your support not only helps us build homes, but provide a more promising, attainable future for the community.


Please visit our organization's website at www.ecuaexperience.com for pictures and more information about the program and previous student volunteer projects.


Thanks again,


Aymara Clarke & Paige Courtice
Student Volunteers
Help Learn and Discover