Residency Programs

Live the work.
‍Restore the wild.

Immersive 1, 2, and 3-month residency placements in wildlife rehabilitation and community medicine — deep in the heart of the Amazon rainforest.

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700
Acres protected
13,800+
Patients treated
85+
Communities served

Two Programs. One Mission.

Whether you are drawn to wildlife or to human health, both paths place you in one of the most underserved and biodiverse regions on earth — where your effort makes a direct difference.

Wildlife Rehabilitation
Residency

Care for rescued Amazonian wildlife — sloths, primates, parakeets — on their journey from recovery to release. Hands-on fieldwork, camera-trap monitoring, and community education.

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Medical Brigade
Residency

Bring healthcare to 85 remote communities with no access to doctors or psychologists. Work alongside physicians, dentists, and psychologists across Napo and Orellana Provinces.

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How You Will Spend Your Time

No two days look the same. Both programs span four interconnected areas — each one essential, each one meaningful.

01
Direct Care
Hands-on daily work — feeding, clinical sessions, enclosure care, and consultations.
02
Field Work
Camera-trap monitoring, reintroduction events, community health brigades in remote villages.
03
Outreach
Environmental and mental health education in schools, Waorani communities, and families.
04
Growth
Mentorship from vets, doctors, and psychologists. Skills few classrooms can offer.
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Are You Ready?

Conservation and community health work at Minga calls for curiosity, resilience, and a willingness to live closely with the rhythms of the rainforest.

01
Who it is for
Anyone with an interest in animals, health, or wellness. No specific academic background required. 
02
Languages
Fluent English or Spanish required. Spanish is helpful but not essential — many volunteers improve quickly during their stay.
03
Personal Qualities
Proactive, adaptable, team-oriented, and genuinely curious about Amazonian ecosystems, culture, and community.

Choose Your Experience

Both programs are offered at the same investment levels. All accommodation, meals and transport from Quito are included. Prices in USD.

Wildlife Sanctuary
Medical Brigade
1 Month
$3,850 USD
A first immersion in wildlife rehabilitation.
Most Popular
2 Month
$7,500 USD
Deepen skills and begin to lead daily care routines.
3 Month
$10,050 USD
The complete experience: care, fieldwork, community.
1 Month
$3,850
USD
An introduction to community health in the Amazon.
Most Popular
2 Month
$7,500
USD
Develop clinical and cultural skills; take on greater responsibility.
3 Month
$10,050
USD
The complete experience: field medicine, mental health, outreach.
What's included:
• Round-trip transport: Quito to sanctuary
• Shared accommodation (gender-separated)
• Hot water and 24/7 electricity
• Wi-Fi internet access
• Daily breakfast, lunch, and dinner
• Mentorship from experienced professionals
• Ongoing WhatsApp & email support
• Full project placement coordination
"Volunteering with Fundación Minga was a life-changing opportunity. For six months I joined local medical professionals on brigades throughout the Ecuadorian Amazon, bringing care to over eighty tribes and communities. Memories I will carry with me forever."
Eli Beck
Medical Student · Medical Brigade Resident 2026

Apply for a Residency

Send your CV and a cover letter telling us why you want to join Minga.
‍If the standard timelines don't work for you, reach out — we will do our best to accommodate you.
The program runs 365 days a year.

Send your CV & cover letter to
info@mingalodge.com
Apply — Wildlife ProgramApply — Medical Brigade
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