Global Health in Ecuador (Puyo)

Program overview

Dive into the vibrant world of Indigenous medicine and health practices with this immersive rotation in Puyo, Ecuador, a gateway to the Amazon rainforest and home to the Kichwa and Shuar communities. This unique program offers students the opportunity to learn firsthand how these communities approach health, illness, and healing, blending cultural beliefs, spiritual practices, and herbal remedies sourced from the Amazon’s rich biodiversity.

Participants will shadow healthcare providers in rural clinics, observing the complexities of delivering primary care in remote, resource-limited settings. Engaging in community outreach, students gain insight into the barriers faced and adaptations made to provide effective care. This rotation emphasizes the value of intercultural competence in healthcare and fosters a deeper understanding of how culture, community, and health are interwoven in the Amazonian region.

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General information

Country

Ecuador

Focus

Communicable diseases Primary health care Public Health Public Health & Advocacy Traditional & Indigenous Medicine

Languages

Advanced Spanish

Fees and Duration

2 Weeks - $1975 4 Weeks - $2975 5 Weeks - $3625 6 Weeks - $4275 7 Weeks - $4925 8 Weeks - $5575

Start Dates

January 4th, 2025 February 1st, 2025 March 1st, 2025 April 5th, 2025 May 3rd, 2025 June 7th, 2025 July 5th, 2025 August 2nd, 2025 September 6th, 2025 October 4th, 2025 November 1st, 2025

About this program

Participants in this program will arrive at Guayaquil Airport and journey to Puyo, a vibrant tropical city nestled on the edge of Ecuador’s Amazon rainforest in the province of Pastaza. With a population of around 60,000, Puyo is the largest city in the region and serves as an economic and cultural center, with strong Indigenous influences evident in its food, traditions, and community life. Known as a gateway to the Amazon, Puyo’s lush surroundings and green hills make it a popular starting point for journeys into the rainforest.

This program is ideal for those seeking an “off-the-beaten-path” experience in global health. During the rotation, participants engage deeply with the Kichwa and Shuar communities, gaining unique insights into Indigenous health practices and local ways of life. The Kichwa community of San Virgilio, located 45 minutes from Puyo, offers amenities like electricity and cell service, although internet access remains limited. Participants will also visit the Shuar community near the Shuar Pitirishka Center, where they will stay in cabins within a more remote jungle environment.

Participants should arrive in Guayaquil, Ecuador on the program start date and will be picked up from the airport by a CFHI representative and taken to their homestay. A welcome orientation will take place the Sunday or Monday after arrival.

Visas are not required for U.S. citizens staying less than 3 months in Ecuador. More information on travel and logistics will be provided by CFHI after acceptance into the program

What’s Included

CFHI Program fees include the majority of your on the ground costs. As a nonprofit, CFHI strives to keep fees low and offers fundraising opportunities, scholarships and discounts.

Pre-Departure Support

Program advising and support via email, phone, and web meeting from CFHI’s Central Leadership team
Detailed online Pre-Departure Training that includes modules on program logistics (flights, visas, immunizations, and more), intercultural learning, introduction to health realities at your program site, and much more

On-Site Services

Airport pick-up upon arrival and transportation with a local CFHI representative to your program lodging
Welcome orientation 1-2 days after arrival covering safety, transportation, and other logistics
20 hours of virtual Spanish classes
CFHI Local Team that provides instruction, logistical support, and 24/7 emergency response
Meetings and lectures on local healthcare system, socio-economic determinants of health and current cultural/historical topics.
Placement and coordination of clinical and any public health activities (if relevant)
Accommodation and two meals per day
Local cell phone or support obtaining a local SIM card
International emergency medical and evacuation insurance (unless waived by your university or institution)

Post-Return Resources

Opportunities to engage as a CFHI Alumni Ambassador, reviewing scholarship applications, speaking on CFHI panels, and more
Access to CFHI alumni-only social media group/s featuring news and career opportunities related to Global Health
CFHI alumni newsletter highlighting events, professional development opportunities, resources, and ways to stay involved

Uniquely, 60% or more of CFHI student program fees go directly to the communities they will be visiting, benefiting the local economy at large.

LEARN MORE ABOUT FAIR-TRADE LEARNING MODEL

Clinic rotations & Public Health placements

Overview

This program offers a unique opportunity to explore community-based medicine in a variety of rural settings. Learn how communities near the Amazon rainforest, are addressing their most pressing health challenges including chronic, infectious, and vector-borne diseases.

The following hospitals, clinics, and public health sites are a sample of possible rotations during this program. After acceptance, students can indicate any preferences on their application. The local team does their best to accommodate learners’ preferences, based on local availability and conditions.

Puyo: Rural Primary Healthcare Center

This small public primary healthcare clinic, about 40 minutes outside of Puyo by bus, is located at the mouth of the Amazon jungle. It serves a largely indigenous population that travel 4-6 hours from deep within the jungle to seek care. Local practitioners provide primary care, obstetrics, immunizations and treat emergencies, such as snakebites and machete wounds. Professionals also conduct community visits and provide preventative care, vaccinations, and well child check-ups.

Puyo: Indigenous Community Visits

Visit an indigenous community and learn about the Shuar tribe. Learn about the unique worldview of the Shuar, their uses for traditional medicinal plants and important spiritual practices. Spend time with village children, sharing personal skills or knowledge such as art, music, or sports. Experience a traditional welcoming ceremony for guests and hike to a sacred waterfall.

Puyo: Suburban Primary Healthcare Center

This small public primary healthcare clinic is located 15 minutes by bus from Puyo, in the small hamlet of Mera. The clinic offers free services to patients without health insurance, including detection and treatment of chronic and acute disease like hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and arthritis. Basic maternal and child health care services, such as family planning and vaccinations, are also provided.

Meet the Local Team

Dr. Wilfrido Torres

CFHI Medical Director, Puyo

Dr. Wilfrido Torres – CFHI Medical Director, Puyo

The local Medical Director oversees and arranges all clinical and public health-related activities and is also responsible for coordinating healthcare and emergency services for participants as needed. They coordinate a cadre of preceptors who mentor and supervise program participants at both clinical and public/community health sites. Dr. Wilfrido Torres has extensive clinical and public health experience with local populations. He collaborates with the school and indigenous community to coordinate the orientation and medical rotations.

Dr. Torres has worked with CFHI since 1999 in the Amazon region of Ecuador. He completed his degree in Medicine and General Surgery at the State University of Guayaquil. He has a postgraduate degree in Epidemiology and Clinical Research. Currently, he is the Program Coordinator of the Vector Control Program with the Ministry of Public Health. He previously served as a primary care provider and ran a CFHI training program for health promoters in Indigenous villages outside of Puyo. He enjoys guiding CFHI students as they learn about global health.

Psic. Viviana López Aray

Local Coordinator

Psic. Viviana López Aray - CFHI Local Coordinator, Guayaquil & Puyo

The CFHI Local Coordinators manage the logistics of housing, transportation, and cultural immersion throughout the program. They are a valuable resource for any questions related to navigating the program locale, cultural norms, and tips on planning weekend travel.

Viviana has served CFHI since 2003. She is the main contact with the students while they are in Guayaquil and Puyo regarding rotations, trips and cultural activities. Viviana is originally from Guayaquil, Ecuador and holds her degree in Psychology and Human Resources from the University of San Francisco and a postgraduate degree in Psychotherapy from the University of La Rioja. She enjoys spending time with her family, listening to music, cooking, and since moving to Puyo, she has gained a big appreciation for nature and spending time outdoors. She has a positive energy and is very approachable.

Jennifer Torres - Local Assistant

The CFHI Local Coordinators manage the logistics of housing, transportation, and cultural immersion throughout the program. They are a valuable resource for any questions related to navigating the program locale, cultural norms, and tips on planning weekend travel.

Jennifer has grown up in the company of students. She is a great resource for students who prefer to communicate with someone of their contemporary age and/or in the English language. Jennifer helps with the logistics of the program and participates in meetings to make sure all students understand the plans and recommendations. She is always taking care of details and updating information so that all things run as smoothly as possible. She is a political science student and loves pets, especially her dog “Oveja”; she also enjoys fashion and trendy music.

Eligibility

This CFHI program is ideal for participants who are 19 years of age or older with an intermediate Spanish level, and who have an interest in fields related to primary health care, traditional and indigenous medicine, planetary health, and/or public health. You do not need to be a student to be eligible for this program; mid-career professionals, GAP year learners, and others are also welcome. To confirm your eligibility, please read CFHI’s general eligibility requirements.