Volunteering

At Fundación Mateus – Jardín Alado, we are responsible for the handling of personal data and fully comply with the Organic Law on Personal Data Protection (LOPDP) currently applicable in Ecuador, as well as its regulations and all provisions issued by the competent authority. We are committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of the personal data provided by volunteers in the context of their involvement with the Foundation.

1. Purpose of data collection

Your data will be used exclusively for:

• Manage your registration and participation process as a volunteer.
• Coordinate shifts, training, insurance, and logistical aspects.
• Ensure your safety and that of the animals.
• Comply with legal obligations and audits if required.

The processing of data will be limited to these specified purposes and will not be used for any other purpose or subject to additional processing without prior consent or proper authorization. 

2. Data we may request

In order to fulfill the purposes described, the following information may be collected and processed:

• Identification data: Full name, address, email and telephone number. 
• Academic information: Student code, educational institution and degree. 
• Sensitive data: Relevant medical information (allergies, pre-existing conditions)
• Emergency contact information.
• Additional information: Previous experience, academic level, age, schedule availability, program duration and area of ​​interest. 

3. Legal basis and consent

The processing of personal data will be carried out based on the free, specific, informed, and unequivocal consent of the data subject, granted through the express acceptance of this policy when completing the registration form, or when processing is authorized under Article 7 of the LOPDP. In case of sensitive data—such as health information—explicit consent will be obtained as required.

4. Storage and safety measures

The Mateus Foundation – Jardín Alado implements appropriate technical, administrative, and organizational measures to safeguard personal data against unauthorized access, loss, alteration, or destruction. Access is strictly limited to authorized personnel who are bound by confidentiality agreements. In line with this commitment, we also commit to the following:

• Your data will be stored in secure, password-protected systems and/or restricted physical files.
• Only authorized personnel will be able to access your information.
• Technical and organizational measures are implemented to prevent leaks, losses, or unauthorized access.

4. Rights of the data subject

In accordance with the LOPDP (Data Protection Act), as a volunteer and data subject, you may exercise the following rights at any time:

• Right to information: Data subjects have the right to be informed about the processing of their personal data, in accordance with the principles of lawfulness, fairness, and transparency established by the LOPDP. This information may be provided through any appropriate means.
• Right of access: Data subjects have the right to access all personal data processed by Mateus Foundation – Jardín Alado, at no cost and without the need to provide justification.
• Right to rectification and updating: Data subjects have the right to have the data controller rectify or update their personal data that is inaccurate or incomplete. To exercise this right, the data subject must provide justification, where applicable.
• Right to restriction of processing: Data subjects have the right to require that the data controller processes only the personal data necessary for the specific purpose for which it was collected. 
• Right to erasure: Data subjects have the right to have their personal data erased by the Mateus Foundation - Jardín Alado when:
  

1. The processing of your data does not comply with the principles established in the LOPDP;
2. The processing of your data is neither necessary nor relevant to the fulfillment of the purpose;
   
3. The personal data of the holders have fulfilled the purpose for which they were collected or processed;
4. The retention period for your personal data has expired;
5. The processing affects your fundamental rights or individual freedoms;
6. The Data Subjects revoke the consent given or indicate that they have not granted it for one or more specific purposes, without any justification; or
7. There is a legal obligation.

In accordance with the LOPDP, Fundación Mateus – Jardín Alado confirms that data subjects may revoke their consent for the processing of their personal data by the data controller at any time, except in cases where restrictions apply to the exercise of this right.

• Right to object: Data subjects have the right to object to or reject the processing of their personal data.
  

The data controller will stop processing your personal data unless it demonstrates compelling legitimate grounds for the processing which override the interests, rights, and freedoms of the data subject, or for the establishment, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

• Right to data portability: Data subjects have the right to receive their personal data from the data controller in a compatible, up-to-date, structured, commonly used, interoperable, and machine-readable format, preserving its integrity; they may also request that their data be transmitted directly to other data controllers.
  

This right will not apply when it concerns information inferred, derived, created, generated, or obtained from the analysis or processing carried out by the Mateus Foundation – Jardín Alado based on personal data provided by the data subjects, such as data subjected to personalization, recommendation, categorization, or profiling processes.

• Right to suspension of processing: Data Subjects have the right to obtain from the Data Controller the suspension of data processing when any of the following conditions are met:

1. When the Data Subjects contest the accuracy of the personal data, while the Data Controller verifies the accuracy of the same;
2. The processing is unlawful and the Data Subjects oppose the erasure of the personal data and request, instead, the restriction of their use; and
3. The Data Controller no longer needs your personal data for the purposes of the processing, but Data Subjects need them for the formulation, exercise, or defense of legal claims.

• Right not to be subject to a decision based solely or partly on automated assessments: Data Subjects have the right not to be subject to a decision based wholly or partly on assessments that are the result of automated processes, including profiling, which produce legal effects on them, or which infringe their fundamental rights and freedoms.

5. Where and how can I exercise my rights or claims?

To exercise any of the rights outlined here or to submit a claim regarding the processing of personal data, the data subject must send a written request to the following address: contabilidad@jardinalado.com.

The application must contain at least the following:

Full name of the holder, ID card or passport number, and address or email address for notifications. When acting as legal representative, the legal representative's details will also be recorded;

1. If possible, a clear and precise description of the personal data in respect of which you seek to exercise any of the rights mentioned in the previous point of this policy, and any other element or document that facilitates the location of the personal data;
2. A list of what is requested, established in a clear and precise manner;
3. Right or rights you wish to exercise; and
4. The application must be accompanied by documents that verify the identity of the interested party or, when applicable, their legal or authorized representative.

If the information provided in the request requires clarification or additional details, the Mateus Foundation – Jardín Alado will contact the interested party once, within five days of receiving the request, to request the necessary clarification or completion.

Data subjects will have a period of ten days, starting the day after they are notified of the request for clarification or additional information, to respond and provide the necessary details to the data controller.

If data subjects clarify or complete their request within the specified period, the data controller will process it accordingly. If not, Fundación Mateus – Jardín Alado reserves the right to close the request and will notify the data subjects of this decision and the reasons behind it.

6. Storage period

Personal data will be retained only as long as necessary to fulfill the stated purposes and in compliance with legal time limits. Once these purposes are met, the data will be securely deleted or anonymized.

7. Modifications

The Mateus Foundation – Jardín Alado reserves the right to update this policy to comply with regulatory changes or to address new purposes, committing to inform data subjects promptly.

By checking the corresponding box on the form, you confirm that you have read, understood, and accepted this policy, granting your free, informed, and explicit consent to the processing of your personal data.