Give to the Local Community

Community Donations Donations Black Sheep Inn has a small fund for helping the community.  In 2010 we started renting a room in the village for the Public Library/Computer Learning Center for US$50 per month.   We are also paying the librarians salary of US$120 per month and for Internet service at US$25 per month.  This totals just over US$200 per month, so we always need funding to keep the project going.

Library with FREE internet access!

Rosalba Chitalogro ~ Librarian

The library is now open 6 days a week from 12 noon until 6 pm and provides a great resource for local students to do research and assignments.  Michelle is helping her students to get email accounts and complete homework assignments via the internet.

We also have constant requests from local communities asking for computers and printers.  The faster that the "first" world moves ahead with communications technology, the more places like Chugchilan get left behind. FREE internet access at the Public Library/Computer Learning Center helps to bridge the gap.   Instead of purchasing new equipment, we have received several dozen computers through generous donations of our guests.  We've received feedback from guests saying, "If I only knew, I would have brought down my old computer." 

Please let us know if you have any of the following used equipment in good working order that you'd like to donate:

-- Computers - Pentium IV or better.

-- Printers - We only can take NEW printers now.

-- Microscopes - with slides

-- Centrifuge - with test tubes

-- Spanish Language Books - not how to speak Spanish,
                        but books written in the Spanish language

-- Small Copy Machine or Mimeograph or Ditto Machine

If donating a computer we usually suggest packing the CPU, keyboard, mouse and printer, but leaving the monitor behind.  Monitors are heavy, bulky and fragile.  For approximately US$70 we can purchase a used monitor here in Ecuador.  Of course old laptops are easy to bring down in your luggage.

Please note: we must spend approximately US$120 per computer that is donated in order to reformat the hard drive to a Spanish operating system, purchase a used monitor, power bar and a new printer.  Donations of both equipment and funding for these purchases are appreciated.

PackForAPurpose.com helps you locate people in need.   Make a difference in the lives of children around the world.  Use available space in your luggage to provide supplies to the communities you visit.

Packing a Box Airline Luggage Limits
It is actually easy to bring stuff down.  Most airlines with international flights allow two pieces of checked luggage weighing up to 50 pounds each per passenger!  That means you could bring a checked bag and a carry on for yourself and one more piece of checked luggage for the community.  Luggage size must be under 62 linear inches (that means the sum of the height + width + length must not exceed 62 inches).  The weight must not exceed 50 pounds.  Check with your carrier to verify limits.  Don't spend too much to get the old machine here... computers prices have plummeted, which means the money might be better spent in purchasing new equipment than in excess overweight luggage.

How to Pack Your Donations
A 15 to 18-gallon plastic storage bin works perfectly!  These are inexpensive and can be purchased at department stores.  You can use old clothing to pack around the equipment to protect it.  If the clothing is also a donation make sure it is small sizes as the people in Chugchilán are small.  The bin can be closed by drilling small holes through the lip of the lid and then putting plastic 'pull ties' through the holes.  This is easy for airport security to open and close.  Make sure you have a few extra 'pull ties' with you or packed inside the bin for security to use.  Cardboard boxes and packing tape also work well, but beware that Quito sometimes has a 'box ban' during peak travel seasons.   It is always best to check with your airline for specifics.

Customs
It may sound unusual, but at Ecuadorian customs, you are allowed to bring in a personal computer.  You do not need to declare anything.  The truth is that tourists rarely get checked as they are entering Ecuador.

FREE Airport Pick-Up
Let us know if you are bringing something down for the community of Chugchilán and we will offer a FREE airport transfer to your Quito hotel upon your arrival.  We will have a driver waiting for you with a sign that says Black Sheep Inn.  If you are using public transportation while in Ecuador, or if you are traveling to other destinations before coming to the Black Sheep Inn, then the driver can store the donation so you don't have to worry about it anymore.  The equipment will be brought to Chugchilán later in the month. We are trying to make your arrival hassle free!  Thank-you for your donation!

Planning
PLEASE let us know if you are interested in donating something to the community.  Unfortunately we must APPROVE whatever you want to donate.  We are not acting as a Salvation Army drop off!  Let us know if you have any items to donate.

Thank you so much for considering the people of Chugchilán.  We look forward to meeting you soon!  Email us with your reservation and any other questions you may have.  blacksheepinn@yahoo.com

Volunteer Professionals If you are a doctor, nurse, dentist or educator, and you speak Spanish, there are opportunities to volunteer in the local town of Chugchilán.  Generally, you will need to commit to at least two weeks of volunteering.  Write to us, and we can discuss what you might be able to do to help the local community.  You will still pay for your room and board at the Black Sheep Inn, but we can offer you a discount.

Handing out donated supplies

Volunteering in the classroom

Black Sheep Inn is No Longer Hiring Unfortunately the Black Sheep Inn is no longer accepting applications for managers, interns or volunteers because we are going through changes to become a:

Retreat Center Black Sheep Inn  is converting itself into a Retreat Center.  The entire facility is available for rental for groups for private events.  Specialty groups include Yoga Retreats, Eco-living Studies, Writing and Artists Groups, Astronomy, Community Volunteers, Reunions, Weddings, Meetings, Workshops, Student Groups etc.   Send an email for booking details.

Award Winning Ecolodge    We have been internationally recognized as one of the Top 10 Eco-Lodges in the World by Outside Magazine, Top 50 Eco-Lodges by National Geographic Adventure Magazine in 2009, Top 10 Eco-Resort by Delta SKY Magazine, The Guardian (UK), the Miami Herald, and the Chicago Tribune.  Black Sheep Inn is an excellent location for an eco event.