Xavier - 2026 Volunteering Trip to Ecuador

Hi, my name is Xavier. I'm 15 years old and fundraising for a 4 week volunteering trip to Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands in 2026, with my school, West London Free School.

To raise money for my volunteering trip, my Mum and I are going to complete a sponsored climb of the highest mountain in the UK, Ben Nevis, in July 2025, and I am seeking sponsorship contributions.

This trip will involve a number of exciting activities and volunteering opportunities in the local Ecuadorian communities. These include building classrooms to improve access to education, installing clean water pumps for an entire village, constructing marketplaces for communities to generate income, building new homes for vulnerable families and supporting micro-finance initiatives with local groups, all to improve the quality of life of these vulnerable and rural communities.

In addition to the humanitarian volunteering, the trip also includes environmental initiatives such as: digging water holes, planting trees, assisting in sea turtle conservation, planning environmental workshops and making natural art. In addition, natural waste and pollution is a specific area of focus for this trip, including activities such as: collecting rubbish, supporting sustainable agrofisheries, recycling waste into eco-friendly building material and cleaning beaches to protect wildlife. This trip aims to raise awareness for the fragile natural environment and local communities relying on programs to protect them.

Furthermore, it creates a unique experience for young people such as myself to explore cultures via an authentic and worthwhile experience. For me personally, I am extremely interested in travelling the world, discovering the hidden gems of the culture and beauty our world has to offer. This trip is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me and many other kids. I hope to experience the Ecuadorian life style and its natural wonders, amongst adopting a new view on the world through a unique travel experience.