Social Media Supporter

location
2 - 12 weeks  ·  Age 18 - 50+

rating  Brilliant 4.7  · 
  Verified by Volunteer World
  Very high response rate

Highlights

  • Apply your skills in social media management through a volunteering position in Galapagos.
  • Step up your proficiency in Spanish through daily practice with your host family and local community members.
  • Strengthen small entrepreneurs (travel agencies, restaurants, farms, family businesses) online presence through use of social networks so they can generate content and a greater reach of their product

Highlights

  • Apply your skills in social media management through a volunteering position in Galapagos.
  • Step up your proficiency in Spanish through daily practice with your host family and local community members.
  • Strengthen small entrepreneurs (travel agencies, restaurants, farms, family businesses) online presence through use of social networks so they can generate content and a greater reach of their product
  • Discover less frequented spots together with natives, helping you see the islands from the perspective of locals.
  • Experience lifetime opportunities, such as coming face to face with exotic species like the giant tortoise or marine iguana!


  • Especially good for

    Age 18+
    Singles
    Couples
    Families
    Groups
    50+

    About the program

    Support local entrepreneurs (travel agencies, restaurants, family businesses) so that through social media use they generate content & broaden the reach of their product.

    Role Overview

    We dedicate ourselves to conservation and education to help isolated communities grow in a sustainable way - and we need you to help us convey that message!  Whether it is getting photographs to accurately depict the work we do or videos of the stunning wildlife on Isabela Island, you ...

    About the program

    Role Overview

    We dedicate ourselves to conservation and education to help isolated communities grow in a sustainable way - and we need you to help us convey that message!  Whether it is getting photographs to accurately depict the work we do or videos of the stunning wildlife on Isabela Island, you will be capturing the essence of our work and disseminating it to our local and international communities, and spreading it to future volunteers, donors, and collaborators to excite them about IOI.

    At the same time this project is part of a Galapagos Government Council project that seeks to strengthen small, local entrepreneurs so that through the use of social networks they can generate conten and a greater reach of their project. As a volunteer you will help and support local community members and their businesses get their products and message on social media or public by other means (flyers, brochures, etc.).

    Your responsabilities will greatly depend on your skills and experience, as well as on the needs of IOI and/or the business that you will be working with. Your tasks may include generating footage (photo and film) and text that accurately and meaningfully captures the nature of IOI or the business and its product(s), or perhaps designing a flyer, or social media strategy. The possibilities will vary!

    Requirements:

    • Experience in Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Please keep in mind you may not be posting directly to these sites.
    • An understanding of camera equipment and Mac or PC
    • Ability to work independently as well as in a team
    • Be a great verbal and written communicator
    • An understanding of social media platforms, blogging, Photoshop, and web-design
    • Patience- wifi on remote Isabela can be sketchy and often frustrating.

    Schedule

    Schedules are based on a 25 hr/week commitment, and can voluntarily be extended to a regular 40hr/work week.  Typically Monday-Friday 8:30-11:30AM; and 2:00-4:00. May be subject to change depending on the tasks at hand.

    Accommodation 

    Accommodation is provided by one of our carefully selected host families or in our volunteer housing. In both types of housing, volunteers have their own room, a fan, bed, desk, dresser, and bathroom, as well as warm water and drinking water.  In our volunteer housing, breakfast is not included, but you have access to our fully equipped kitchen facilities to cover your needs. Lunch and dinner is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town, which are usually open-air seating with local cuisine. You simply sign for your meal and we’ll pick up the bill at the end of the month. 

    Our host families have experience with outside culture and international living and provide an amazing immersion experience. All host family houses are nearby the IOI offices and the local schools in the beach town of Puerto Villamil. Homes are fairly simple, clean, and welcoming. You will have breakfast and dinner with your family. Lunch is at the above mentioned restaurants.  

    We at IOI pair you with your host family, and we are available at any time to help if any issues arrive with  the restaurants, your host family, the schools, if you get sick and need to visit the doctor, etc.

    Participation Fee

    The program fee is necessary to cover your cost of living and logistics. Our overhead is covered by other means so 100% of any funds that exceed your direct cost will go towards the project you participated in.

    To book you need to pay a Reservation Deposit.
    That deposit WILL BE DEDUCTED from your program fee.

    What’s Included          

    Cost includes food, full room and board, permits, Transient visa, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc.—everything minus personal expenses, travel insurance, and your airfare to Galápagos.


    Typical day

    After breakfast with your homestay family or in our volunteer housing, you will start the morning at 8:30, either starting with capturing footage in the field or working from our IOI Galapagos office.  Work may involve visiting volunteer sites, town events, and conservation locations to document ...

    Typical day

    After breakfast with your homestay family or in our volunteer housing, you will start the morning at 8:30, either starting with capturing footage in the field or working from our IOI Galapagos office.  Work may involve visiting volunteer sites, town events, and conservation locations to document projects and activities put on by IOI.  Editing, collaborating with our IOI team, and communicating with our social media team will take place at the IOI offices.  


    You will have a midday break between 11:30 and 2 to have lunch in one of the restaurants we pair with - you choose where you want to go, sign in, and at the end of the month, we pick up the tab.  Enjoy local cuisine and have some time to explore or relax on the beach before returning to continue your projects from 2pm to 4pm.  Spend the rest of the afternoon playing volleyball, learning to cook local recipes with your host family (if you choose to stay with one), and watching the sunset from the beach.  


    Free-time activities

    In Galapagos you can live a Pacific Island life. This means you can choose between a lot of free time activities including surfing, soccer, beach volley, etc.

    Free-time activities

    In Galapagos you can live a Pacific Island life. This means you can choose between a lot of free time activities including surfing, soccer, beach volley, etc.


    Requirements

    Requirements

    Minimum Age: 18 years

    In order to join the program you need to be at least 18 years old on the program start date. There might be exemptions if you can provide the permission of your legal guardian(s) or if your are accompanied by your parents.

    Language Skills

    You need to speak English (intermediate level) or Spanish (basic level)

    Nationality Restrictions

    No restrictions. Helping hands from all over the world are welcome.

    Other Skills

    - Experience in Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter - An understanding of camera equipment and Mac or PC - Ability to work independently as well as in a team - Be a great verbal and written communicator - An understanding of social media platforms, blogging, Photoshop, and web-design. - Patience to deal with the often frustrating wifi connection

    Time Commitment

    Your helping hand will be required on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 08:30 - 11:30

    What's Included

    What's Included

    Services by IOI - Empowering Galapagos

    Cost includes food, full room and board, permits, Transient visa, local coordination and training at respective facility, local transport, full access to our facilities, etc. — everything with the exception of personal expenses, travel insurance, the $20 USD Tourist Transit Card, and your airfare to the Galápagos.

    The program fee is necessary to cover your cost of living and logistics. Our overhead is covered by other means so 100% of any funds that exceed your direct cost will go towards the projects on the ground.

    Accommodation

    Accommodation is provided by one of our carefully selected host families or in our volunteer housing. All our rooms have a private Bathroom, warm water, a fan, a bed, and a desk/dresser. Many of the host family housing include A/C. 

    Food & Beverages

    In our volunteer housing, breakfast is not included, but you have access to our fully equipped kitchen facilities to cover your needs. Lunch and dinner is provided at your choice of various restaurants in town. You simply sign for your meal and we’ll pick up the bill at the end of the month. 

    Our host families have experience with outside culture and international living and provide an amazing immersion experience. You will have breakfast and dinner with your family. Lunch is at the above mentioned restaurants.

    Internet Access

    Good access at the project site

    What's NOT included?

    What's NOT included?

    Airport Pickup at Baltra Airport

    An airport pickup isn't included within the program fees either.

    Flight Tickets

    The nearest airport is Baltra Airport (GPS) in Galapagos Islands. We assist you to find cheap flights to Ecuador. FIND CHEAP FLIGHTS

    Travel Insurance

    Going abroad is an adventure and it is always best to be prepared. Sudden illness or injury, cancellation or theft - a travel insurance for Ecuador provides security and is a plus to have. GET A QUOTE

    Vaccines

    If you are intending to volunteer in Ecuador you should seek medical advice before starting your social journey. Check your required vaccinations for Ecuador. VACCINE CHECKER

    Details on arrival

    Arrivals are on Mondays and departures are on Saturdays or Sundays. Project staff will pick you up and drop you off on these days. Please ensure this works with your travel plans.

    Availability
    Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

    Program fees

    2 weeks (min. stay) 1,796€
    3 weeks 2,344€
    4 weeks 2,893€
    5 weeks 3,441€
    6 weeks 3,990€
    7 weeks 4,539€
    12 weeks (max. stay) 7,282€
    Average fees 752€/week

    Program fees

    752€ per week 2 - 12 weeks Age 18 - 50+

    Payment methods

    Visa Master Card Maestro American Express PayPal

    NO CREDIT CARD FEES


    Duration

    2 - 12 weeks

    Deposit

    The deposit is simply to reserve your volunteer placement. Payments are handled by PayPal, our trusted global payment provider. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can also pay using a credit card.


    Final Payment

    Your final payment will be agreed with IOI - Empowering Galapagos during the application process. Common solutions are either via bank transfer or a cash payment at the project site.


    Meet your organization

    IOI - Empowering Galapagos

    Brilliant 4.7 rating (37 reviews)

    Non-profit - founded in 2006

    Verified by Volunteer World

      Very high response rate

    Coordinated by

    Monique

    Spoken languages: English, Spanish

    About the project

    We empower isolated communities to grow in a sustainable way. To that end, we run projects in Conservation, Education, and Social Development.

    Meet your organization

    Who we are
    IOI is a non-profit organization that designs educational adventures to empower isolated communities to grow in a sustainable way. We strive to help establish ecological sustainability and social stability in our host communities. As such, our mission is to provide international education programs that support the education, conservation, and social development of isolated communities by assisting local institutions in sustainably handling the human-environmental intersection. 


    What we do

    • We develop and implement our outreach projects with local institutions to ensure their sustainable implementation. Our projects address pressing conservation, education, and social development needs. Our partners include the Galapagos National Park, the Biodiversity Protection Agency, the local school system, and the provincial government.
    • We provide volunteer opportunities in conservation, education, and social development, providing our participants with life changing experiences, and our local partners with funding, expertise, and (wo)man power on site.
    • We immersive study abroad programs in which students spend up to 3 months studying the local environment and learn the local culture. All our programs are based on cultural integration and service learning.

    Where we work
    We work in the community of Puerto Villamil on Isabela Island in
    the Galapagos, Ecuador. Our 5k beach is right across the street and the Volcano Sierra Negra is basically in our backyard. From Marine to Mountain, snorkeling to camping, nature is at our doorstep!

    Our history
    Since embarking on our journey in 2006, IOI has evolved into a mature and recognized organization with an innovative design of merging educational travel with conservation and community development. We began in Galapagos and, after 10 years of experience, have expanded to Cuba and Costa Rica.

    Vision and Mission
    We Empower Isolated Communities to Grow in a Sustainable Way. It is our Vision to help establish ecological sustainability and social stability in our host communities.  Our mission is to provide international education programs that support the education, conservation, and social development of isolated communities by assisting local institutions in sustainably handling the human-environmental intersection.

    Who are we looking for
    We are looking for adventurous volunteers ready to travel to remote parts of the world to make an impact on conservation and education projects. Our volunteers should be flexible, understanding, and respectful of the local cultural context. Depending on the position, we ask that our volunteers are physically able to work outside, sometimes in extreme weather conditions (think the tropics!) and be able to work on a team and individually.

    Why choose us..

    • It's a unique opportunity to gain insight and firsthand experience in the the world of hands-on conservation and environmental management
    • All of our locations are unique and have exceptional beauty and biodiversity.
    • Our sites are slow lane kinds of places. If you need a break, this is your ideal escape.
    • You will learn Spanish and immerse yourself in the community--you'll finish your time volunteering feeling like a local!

    37 reviews · rating4.7

    Anouk Kaminske rating5

    2024 at Social Media Supporter

    The four weeks I spent with IOI on the Isabela island were the most enriching 4 weeks I have ever spent travelling. I gained on so many levels. Starting with the incredible place (nature, animals, community) which is really unique and magic. Living with a family gave so much more insight into how ...
    Lily rating5

    2023 at Social Media Supporter

    I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because the staff and volunteers are lovely. I really got to know and love the community and the island is just such a perfect place. I am so happy that I took this leap of faith and joined the IOI team. I went in solo and came out with so many ...
    Cindy rating5

    2022 at Social Media Supporter

    I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it will help you to develop other skills, meet people and new place while you are on the program. I couldn`t be more grateful with this experience. Thanks to IOI to support the community and local environment/animals with their ...
    Eliane rating5

    2022 at Social Media Supporter

    I would recommend this experience to others because it is a good thing to walk so close together with nature and to see how small mistake can have huge effects to the nature. The experience you get while volunteering you can't get in any other way. It's a great thing to work together with the ...
    Beth rating5

    2022 at Social Media Supporter

    I would recommend this volunteer experience to others because it allows a wonderful opportunity to visit a beautiful location while contributing to the local community. There is so much to do. As a social media volunteer, I ws gifted the experiences of witnessing IOI's impact in a variety of ...
    Rolph Zueger rating4.4

    2020 at Social Media Supporter

    Great experience. Isabela is a wonderful island with friendly people. But the highlights are all the animals hardly taking notice of you. What makes it very easy to study them. ..

    Location

    Americas > South America > Ecuador > Galapagos

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    Contact Monique
      Very high response rate
    English, Spanish

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