General Info
Aldeas de Paz is a sustainable grassroots NGO based in Santa Elena de Uairen, Venezuela, near the borders with Brazil and Guyana in South America. We promote the "Culture of Peace" through enriching cross-cultural exchange and voluntary community service.
ABOUT US
Fundaciòn Aldeas de Paz (ADP) is a sustainable grassroots NGO based in Santa Elena de Uairen, Venezuela, near the borders with Brazil and Guyana in South America. ADP is independent from political, religious or business interests and maintains independence by completely funding and operating its programs with the practical and monetary contributions of volunteers.
OUR MISSION
We support disadvantaged communities and their members in the process of achieving sustainable development, social justice and peace. We promote the "Culture of Peace" through enriching cross-cultural exchange and voluntary community service for people of all ages, races and nationalities. We provide additional opportunities in humanitarian, educational, recreational and environmental fields and assist our beneficiaries to develop their potential and improve their own lives.
OUR VISION
We share the values of peace, justice and tolerance, fundamentally focusing on the preservation of indigenous cultures and the empowerment of young people while valuing local knowledge and working with cultural sensitivity. Because local people know and understand what is appropriate for their own communities, we assist them in carrying out the objectives they deem important. Our Volunteer opportunities are truly the microcosm of a world where people join together giving priority to improving life for humanity and promoting a Culture of Peace as a practical way to both prevent and resolve conflict.
OUR VOLUNTEERS
Aldeas de Paz is exclusively financed and operated by volunteers. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture.
VOLUNTEERING OR INTERNING WITH PEACE VILLAGES
Volunteering is a great way to experience another culture, make new friends and learn new skills. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life! Volunteers are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. We have various programs currently underway and run by volunteers, as well as the long term expectation of opening a large multi-faceted Therapy Center. Volunteers, through their donations and through volunteer work done on the Foundations grounds are helping us to create this center. We encourage volunteers to form schedules which work for them, and to work in any combination of programs. Volunteers decide how many hours they want to work. We recommend a minimum of 4 hours daily for 4 days a week. You may work as many days/hours you wish. We emphasize that we focus on excellence and not on quantity! All travel costs to Santa Elena, Venezuela must be covered by the volunteer. Budget at least 35 € Euro for in-country travel (including meals along the way) on top of whatever your plane ticket costs (likely at least 330 € Euro depending on where you´re coming from).
Costs depend on length of stay. There are three accommodation options which include:
• Volunteer placement in the program/s of your choice
• Accommodation, meals and laundry depending on the accommodation option of your choice
• Placement introduction and hand-outs, supervision, regular briefings
• Regular supervised Spanish language conversational opportunities
• Certificate and/or written reference upon successful completion of volunteer placement
• Free participation with weekend excursions and opportunities for cultural exchange whenever scheduled and organized by Peace Villages volunteers
• Full support and 7 days, 24 hour back-up from our local staff
• Peace Villages T-shirt
• Santa Elena bus terminal pick-up. Our staff will welcome you to the Peace Villages home-base upon arrival to Santa Elena and ensure that all of your needs are met - from a safe and comfortable place to stay, to unparalleled access to perspectives and insight about the local culture
Most volunteers will spend less than Euro € 60 a month on other personal expenses while here, but this depends on how you like to live. For more detailed information check http://www.peacevillages.org
OUR PROGRAMS
MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE - Be involved in the day-to-day running of a hospital
YOUTH, CARE AND COMMUNITY - Help us enhance the lives of children and teenagers
TEACHING & TUTORING - A great introduction into Venezuelan life
CONSERVATION - Ideal for the hands-on person who enjoys the outdoors
LIVE AND VOLUNTEER WITH THE FRIENDLY PEMÓN ABORIGINALS
ECOLOGICAL BUILDING/CARPENTRY - Hands on work in a beautiful setting
NGO MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION - The day-to-day running of a small, grassroots NGO
THERAPEUTIC HORSE RIDING - Excellent therapy for children with special needs
ART, CULTURE & NATURE - Be part of the cultural and social movement in an Eco-village
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
LOCAL HIGHLIGHTS
The town of Santa Elena de Uairén is the headquarters of the Peace Villages Foundation in Venezuela and the heart of La Gran Sabana National Park. The town has about 15.000 inhabitants and is at an altitude of 900m - 1000m (3000f - 3250f) with a nearly perfect climate (16°C / 45°F - 28°C / 79°F all year round). The town was founded in 1922 as a Capuchin mission, and grew in the 1930s with the establishment of gold and diamond mines in the region. Santa Elena is surrounded by breathtaking scenery, and a wealth of nature. The region is one of the oldest geological sites on the planet where prehistoric flat topped mountains are like ecological islands with endemic species such as carnivorous plants and lots of other natural treasures. You will find good shopping opportunities, restaurants, internet cafes, postal and telephone services, clubs, pool halls and nightlife opportunities, as well as a wide variety of tourist travel destinations. Santa Elena is also a good place to arrange adventure tours into La Gran Sabana and Mount Roraima in particular. The area known as La Gran Sabana, "the Great Savannah" is located in the south-eastern corner of Venezuela, at the border with Brazil and Guyana. It is a high plateau, a land of wide open spaces (75,000 square kilometers), tropical forest, spectacular tepuys (flat-topped mountains), rivers and gorgeous waterfalls. It is also home to the Pemón aboriginals. It is unknown when La Gran Sabana was first occupied, but there are artifacts that demonstrate that indigenous peoples were occupying the Orinoco Delta at least 2 to 3 thousand years ago. At the time of the arrival of the first Europeans. La Gran Sabana was inhabited primarily by Pemón aboriginals. The Guayana shield, located in La Gran Sabana, is the earth's oldest surface. It is estimated to be 2 billion years old, and was formed when South America and Africa were still part of the super continent Gondwana. Besides flat plains, La Gran Sabana also features tropical regions, jungle and cloud forests, rich in palm trees, fern trees, orchids, bromelias . . . also animals including tapirs, jaguars, pumas, deer, anteaters, snakes, are all native to the different ecosystems of La Gran Sabana.
TREKS & TOURS
While Peace Villages is a volunteer based NGO, we recognize the importance of seeing other parts of La Gran Sabana and having a well rounded experience while you are here. Some trips can be done on weekends, otherwise we will help you to schedule tours so that you can see everything you want to in Venezuela, while still achieving your volunteer commitments with us. It is always best to plan to be here for a longer period of time so you can fit in a tour and still feel satisfied with the impact of your volunteer work. Peace Villages Foundation is not a tour operator but a volunteer charity! The Adventure Tours are organized and offered by local tour operators. If interested, we will help you to make contact with companies which use ecological criteria for enjoyable nature-based Adventure Tours throughout the beautiful and diverse Gran Sabana region, here in south-eastern Venezuela. Peace Villages also assists volunteers to self-organize their trip. A cheaper method than booking organized tours is to organize a trip yourself. When volunteers are interested in this option, we can assist them to make the necessary arrangements. Volunteers then share the direct costs of a guide, porter, food and transport, instead of buying a complete package. Costs depend on the number of group participants to share with. Hiring indigenous guides, drivers, boat operators, and hosts directly benefits local economies and, at the same time, adds an intimate and connected feeling to your adventure. Indigenous guides will enrich your Gran Sabana adventure tour experience with their knowledge, their kindness and their dedication and enthusiasm for these places.
COSTS
There are three accommodation options and Costs depend on length of stay
APPLICATION
Please fill online-application http://www.peacevillages.org/volunteering_application.htm
Placement Info
ART, CULTURE & NATURE - Be part of the cultural and social movement in an Eco-village
This assignment places you in the middle of a cultural and social movement in the remote Eco-village of "El Paují", located at the heart of the beautiful Gran Sabana National park in the southeastern border region with Brazil and Guayana. The village has about 300 inhabitants of mixed ethnic backgrounds and is located at an altitude of 900m - 1000m (3000f - 3250f) with a nearly perfect climate (16°C / 45°F - 28°C / 79°F all year round) The settlement was found only 50 years ago when it was the rest-point for the workers clearing the 150-kilometre road from Santa Elena de Uairen to Ikabaru. The founding population were miners and the Pemon indigenous people, who had always lived in this exceptional beautiful region. The village is surrounded by breathtaking Nature: rivers, waterfalls, virgin forests and the wide open spaces of the savannah with its rich flora and fauna. The eco-village El Paují is recognized for its enthusiasm, integrative civil action, participation in school and ecological consciousness that have made it attractive to the visitor. The community is a great example of what can be achieved in the back of beyond, with little or no government assistance. At first, El Paují may seem like any other village in the Latin American outback. It has a few shops, a few houses, and the obligatory stray dog and furtive chicken. It's only when you're fortunate to spend more time there, that you realize it's much more than that.
Share daily life in an exiting Eco-village
In the 70s, people from 'Outside' started to arrive. They were mostly young urban couples seeking some peace and tranquility, and a more natural environment in which to bring up their children. Many were architects, artists and creative types with a different vision of the world and spirituality. The new "alternative" settlers changed the character of the village forever. They have established a school (kindergarden, primary and secondary) where Pemon and non-indigenous children sit side by side; a health clinic and rescue service; civil, cultural and environmental associations; and a renowned dance center. El Pauji is now home to artists, artisans, honey makers, architects, philosophers and ecological orientated farmers and their families. Some young families have achieved a relative self-sustained living by producing their own organic vegetable, goat cheese and fruits and completing their modest monthly budget by producing and selling cottage industry products such as incense, craft and jewelry, pottery and natural cosmetics all made from local materials such as semi-precious stones, gold, tree-resins, honey, beautifully colored clay and seeds/wood for sculpturing and jewelry.
Artists and conservationists are leading this program
The nationally renown artist Cynthia Gamboa, since more than 20 years inhabitant of El Paují, and her friend Uta will be running this program and are your project coordinators and hosts. They are great artists and friends. They are respected in the community for their civil initiative and communal spirit. Cynthia has been the driving force behind the "Cultural Center" and regular art and cultural events for many years. While working side by side with Cynthia together and local and international volunteers you are making new friends and learn a lot about art and conservation. Part of the day will be ddicated to cultural exchange activities and visits to the breathtaking surroundings of El Pauji.
Art, culture and environmental conservation
To confront deforestation that has become a big problem in the region, Cynthia has created the "Intraterrestres": This important art project aims to promote conservational consciousness raising activities through the arts while at the same time gaining support for an important reforestation program around the village. The "Intraterrestres" are painted roots which are transformed in works of art, that through selling gain a useful function as the buyer adopts a tree that is planted near the river Esmeralda, a reforestation project area nearby. Using art as a tool for reforestation has converted the "Intraterrestres" into a movement of environmental and cultural character, named "Movimiento Intraterrestre".
"Sow - that's the only way to live!"
That's the message of the project. The objective is reforestation and protection of the whole region through art and voluntary work: Planting and maintaining 3000 trees. The movement supports communal projects like “Desarrollo de Horticultura y Lombricultura Manos Orgánicas” (Development of organic gardening) and organizes cultural events with the volunteers. We would like to create consciousness and values through living together and through direct contact with nature. Our emphasis is based on mutual respect and on giving your best in order to share a real good time together.
PRACTICALITIES:
You can spend the complete duration of your volunteer placement in "El Pauji" if you wish but you may also consider spending some time in "El Pauji" and some time volunteering with one or more of our other programs in Santa Elena while living at the foundations cooperative loving residents on our grounds.
Amenities in "El Pauji" are basic. There is electricity for only 5(ish) hours a day when a generator is run. A radio in "El Pauji" can call in to the City Hall in Santa Elena any time if it is necessary. There is an excellent wireless internet connection in the village! The climate is very comfortable with tipical temperates between 20and 30 Transport: Collective Jeep-Taxis go daily between Santa Elena and El Pauji. (One-way USD 10)
ACCOMMODATION & FULL BOARD:
Volunteers will be staying with local host families in simple rooms. Three meals per day are provided. Two meals are eaten with the host family, the third meal will be offered on the program site together with fellow participants. Your project host and some locals speak English. The indigenous Pemon people speak Spanish and their indigenous mother language Taurepan. Volunteers can choose to sleep in either hammocks or beds.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
The working plan is simple and is divided in two parts. In the morning we dedicate to sowing and reforestation in the afternoon to art, culture and social exchange. The planning of activities will be done together as a team.
Environmental activities can include:
Gardening side by side with villagers using indigenous techniques
Collecting seeds of trees belonging to the region for reforestation and agro forestation
Preparing tree nurseries and caring for seedlings
Plant trees
Counting and marking planted trees
Clean up and fertilizing the plantation
Editing maps and documentations of the reforestation project
Environmental education for school children
Support of the eco-farm "Weimuré" planting Moriches (endemic palm tree)
Daily house, kitchen and garden activities side by side with family members and neighbors
Recreational and creative activities with kids, adolescents and school children
Teaching English to Pemón tour guides and school children
Building and maintenance work on communal infrastructure
Initiating an environmental education program and exchanging knowledge of the rainforest and savannah habitat (Spanish required)
Art & Culture activities can include:
Taking the tale of the "Intraterrestres" as inspiration for artistic action like drawing, painting, sculpturing, poetry, music, video, theatre etc.
We will organize jam sessions.
We show the works of art to the community through expositions and presentations.
Support of the communal project Manos Orgánicas Share artistic activities with the community
Support of the "Committee de mujeres de conservación y reforestación Worüsan" (Womens committee of conservation and reforestation Worüsan - This project belongs to the national governments plan Misión Árbol)
Study trips visiting a "conuco" (traditional indigenous vegetable garden in the forest)
Trip to the jungle and excursion to the abysm (the impressive view from the edge of a high plateau overlooking the Amazonian jungles from 1000m above sea level)
REQUIREMENTS:
No previous experience or special skills are required, but participants need to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and have a desire to Curiosity to share a different culture in a community. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Be prepared to share a basic and simple lifestyle, without regular electricity or telephone. (However, there is a very good wireless internet connection) You do not necessarily need to speak fluent Spanish to be involved, however basic Spanish is very useful. Volunteers with experience in art and/or conservation are strongly encouraged to apply. Creativity and enthusiasm go a long way! A typical volunteer with this program comes without a lot of previous experience but has a number of ideas and enthusiasm, takes initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the work.
AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the whole year.
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
MEDICINE & HEALTHCARE - Be involved in the day-to-day running of a hospital
The Medicine & Healthcare experience and observation program is tailored, where possible, to a volunteer's level of relevant experience and interests. Be involved in the day-to-day running of a hospital, observing or directly assisting doctors and nurses. If you want experience in health and medicine even without special skills, or if you are a pre-university or elective medical student or a health professional, these programs need your help. The Peace Villages Medicine project is an invaluable preparation for a career in medicine and will enable you to broaden your medical experience in the context of medicine in a developing country. You will experience the stark contrast between Western medical practice and the realities of medicine in developing countries. Sadly, you will also see medical conditions that have remained untreated and have developed to an advanced pathological stage uncommon in developed countries. The medical program is available for elective students, medical students with free holiday time, pre-university students and also students taking, or planning to take, specialist medical courses such as biomedical science, nursing and physiotherapy. The key requirements in a medical volunteer are initiative, enthusiasm, and readiness to work in unfamiliar circumstances - a surgery with minimal equipment or an understaffed and under resourced hospital. You can assist with duties such as bandaging, taking blood pressure, and generally caring for the patients. You will find that your new colleagues and the patients appreciate the fact that you have come a long way to offer practical help.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
Volunteers/Interns taking part in the medicine and healthcare program will work at the local hospital in Santa Elena. More than anything they are able to observe or directly assist doctors and nurses at their work, and according to their knowledge and willingness they will be able to give them a hand, and possiblytake over their own tasks; they can help with the general caretaking, comfort little patients, observe and become part of the daily routine of a typical Latin American hospital. You might find yourself, for example, watching a caesarean in the operating theatre, or working with a doctor on his rounds. You can help out in simple but practical ways, vastly increasing your own knowledge and understanding of medical practice.
We offer a number of placements, which are particularly suited to medical students in their first to fourth years, and for electives. You can use the skills and experience that you have already acquired and will be able to broaden your medical experience in the context of medicine in a developing country. We welcome anyone thinking of taking up nursing or midwifery or already training to be a nurse or a midwife. If you're trained, training or considering training to be a Midwife, you could work with us. Our rewarding physiotherapy programs enable you to help disabled children and adults to lead as normal lives as possible. Rehabilitation is vitally important, and whether you have experience or not, workingalongside a therapist at our attention centre for disabled children you will learn a great deal in a completely different cultural setting.
REQUIREMENTS:
This placement is particularly suited to medical students in their first to fourth years, and for electives. The key requirements for a medical volunteer or intern are initiative, enthusiasm, and readiness to work in unfamiliar circumstances, a minimum time commitment of 3 weeks and basic Spanish language skills. Only for a few specialized activities we require an advanced level of experience, conversational Spanish language skills and a 2 months minimum time commitment. The hospital requires a doctor’s certificate from you with the following tests: faeces, urine, uraemia, crestinaemia, complete haematological test, glucose, HIV, VDRL. This is basically to state that you are healthy, free of contagious diseases and parasites.
Optional - What you can donate to the hospital:
# white bandages
# common medicine, over-the-counter anti-inflammatory, such as Ibuprofen
# cotton wool
# hypodermic syringes 20 cc, 10 cc
# hospital scrubs for surgeons and/ or basic surgical equipment
# green operation cloth
# medical gloves
AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the whole year
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers and groups. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
YOUTH, CARE AND COMMUNITY - Help us enhance the lives of children and teenagers (alternative: A truly rewarding cross-cultural experience)
We cannot pretend to remedy serious social and economic conditions, but volunteers in Santa Elena have plenty of opportunities to make a difference to young people who would otherwise lack educational and creative opportunities. Community projects are typically under-resourced and under-staffed, so volunteers and resources are always welcome. In addition to established community activities and programs, motivated volunteers who bring ideas for projects have the chance to set up their own volunteer opportunities in Santa Elena with the financial and organizational support of Peace Villages Foundation. The foundation’s established relationships and contacts with various schools and social organizations in the town and the help of the Volunteer Coordinator enable volunteers to create their own exciting work placements. Whether your skills lie in music, sports, drama, art or handwork, PVF and Santa Elena can offer you a unique chance to implement your own ideas, while giving you valuable experience and realizing personal ambitions and goals. The town’s Casa de la Cultura (Cultural Center) and Fundación del Niño (Children’s Foundation) are some of the organizations which are open to the input of volunteers, from English teaching, theater and music projects, to computer and ceramics classes. In the past, volunteers have formed teams working on community projects such as the maintenance and painting of playgrounds and community centers, the organization of litter collections and environmental education activities, the planning of cultural events and festivals in conjunctions with the town council. We also would like to set up a month-long summer camp for underprivileged and street children from around Venezuela on the Foundation grounds, and are looking for a committed volunteer to organize and implement this exciting idea. There are no limits to the work a motivated and enthusiastic volunteer can set up in Santa Elena, but achieving a successful independent project does require a longer stay than participation in PVF’s already established volunteer programs.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Help teaching simple wood work to young people at our Community & Therapy Center or by passing on vocational carpentry & building skills
• Assist teaching at the local music school or arts, craft and ceramics at the cultural center and our Community & Therapy Center
• Assist with supervising recreational, developmental and therapeutic activities for special need kids who visit our Community & Therapy Center
• Help organize special events
• Bring joy and warmth to hospitalized children by participating in visits to the pediatric ward for recreational activities like story telling, theater and play sessions
• Make and decorate wooden didactic toys and materials for our play-therapy program for underprivileged children and special need kids
• Play and take care of underprivileged children, bringing joy and love to local day care centers
• Help restore and maintain children’s playgrounds and school facilities and furniture. Assist with painting and restoring work, help with landscaping, redecorating and maintenance.
REQUIREMENTS:
No previous experience or special skills are required, but participants need to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and have a desire to work with children. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Take delight in the children’s progress through interaction and play, as well as the charming nature of the bonds formed between children and volunteers. Some knowledge of Spanish language would be advantageous. A typical volunteer with this program comes without a lot of previous experience but has a number of ideas and enthusiasm, takes initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. However, Volunteers with experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the whole year. Mobile School and educational/recreational activities run by our Foundation are ongoing throughout the whole year. Public school related activities are not taking place during holidays
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
MOBILE SCHOOL - The perfect project for energetic, creative, and outgoing people
The Mobile School is a tool to teach children who are not served by a school system, helping them with the goal of getting them to enter into the public educational system. We also educate children who are already in school, reinforcing what they learn through their traditional education. Teaching on the streets of Santa Elena, the Mobile School presents educational material in a lively and engaging manner. We aim not only to educate, but also to have fun! We help raise the children’s self-esteem by teaching them that they are valued members of their communities. The core themes with the Mobile School are literacy, mathematics, creative therapy, healthcare education and human rights. We are also able to create our own educational themes. Clean water conservation and waste/pollution awareness are two examples of such themes. Background: Santa Elena is a town which is growing far too quickly for infrastructural services to keep up. The existing school systems are overpopulated, which keeps them from reaching their full potential of quality education. As a result of the poor quality of education, children have little motivation to continue attendance, and many children drop out at a very early age. The problem is aggravated by the rising numbers of “invasions.” Located in the outskirts of Santa Elena these are residential zones of poor and landless families. The families come to Santa Elena looking for improved lives for their children and better economic opportunities. These invasions often do not have basic infrastructure. Electricity, running water, and sewage are unlikely to be found, and the children who live there are often not served by an education system. The Mobile School visits children in these three groups on a regular basis. Peace Village Foundation’s Mobile School Program focuses on three groups of children: those who have dropped out of the traditional school system, the local indigenous communities, and the children who live in poorer settlements on the outskirts of Santa Elena.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Helping to plan and prepare the classes, and regular maintenance of the Mobile School
• Assisting in the movement of the Mobile School to street locations in Santa Elena and to other communities
• Helping to teach literacy, math, creative therapy, healthcare education, children's rights and other topics
• Assist with supervising sport, recreational and development activities, organizing special events
• Helping with Mobile School administration work: Reports, Statistics, general planning, documentation
REQUIREMENTS:
No previous experience or special skills are required, but participants need to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and have a desire to work with children. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Take delight in the children’s progress through interaction and play, as well as the charming nature of the bonds formed between children and volunteers. Some knowledge of Spanish language would be advantageous. You do not necessarily need to have previous teaching experience. Staff and other volunteers will support you when you start teaching. A typical volunteer with this program comes without a lot of previous experience but has a number of ideas and enthusiasm, takes initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. However, Volunteers with experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the whole year
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
TEACHING & TUTORING - A great introduction into Venezuelan life
This assignment improves confidence and communication skills and is the perfect outlet for your energy and creativity! Schools are overcrowded, so teachers are a precious resource and are always welcome. One constant options is to lead spoken English classes. Some English classes are run through Santa Elena's "Casa de Cultura," a cultural center located in the library. Classes vary in size and can be arranged with children or adults. Fluent Spanish is not necessary. Another option is to involve yourself in the "Socialism of the 21st Century" through President Hugo Chavez's Misión Ribas program. Misión Ribas provides remedial high school level classes to some of the five million Venezuelans who dropped out of high school. Many of these classes are taught by Cuban videos and a small workbook. Therefore even high school-level knowledge in any subject would be a great improvement and very well received. This option is only for those willing to make a longer term commitment (so that students can be taught a good amount before the volunteer leaves.) You could lead spoken English classes, improving the pronunciation and conversational skills of young children and adults. You can let your creativity run wild with songs, games and role play activities in classes of about 6-12 pupils. One of the main goals within the educational area is that our children learn English. As our children are from 4-14 years old, they will learn English immediately without Spanish accent. Therefore you do not necessarily need to speak fluent Spanish. On this conversational English teaching project, you can pass on a valuable vocational skill that will help Venezuelan teenagers. Different Teaching & Tutoring opportunities are teaching at the local music school or assist teaching arts, craft and ceramics or help with computer classes for children and teenagers at the local computer centre with internet-connection or teach sports and help with homework. Assist with Play Therapy or recreational and developmental activities and help organize special events with our Mobile School.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Teaching English, math or science classes in local schools (likely to a large class)
• Help teach computer classes for children and teenagers at the local computer center
• Teaching English classes at Chavez's Misión Ribas program
• Organizing special educational events
• Teaching English classes to children aged between 4 and 14 years old
• Assist teaching at the local music school or arts, craft and ceramics at the cultural center and our Community & Therapy Center
• Help teaching simple wood work to young people at our Community & Therapy Center or by passing on vocational carpentry & building skills
• Helping with homework
• Assist with supervising recreational, developmental and therapeutic activities for special need kids who visit our Community & Therapy Center
• Help with our Mobile School as Teacher assistant
REQUIREMENTS:
No previous experience or special skills are required, but participants need to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and have a desire to work with children. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Take delight in the children’s progress through interaction and play, as well as the charming nature of the bonds formed between children and volunteers. You do not necessarily need to have previous teaching experience. Staff and other volunteers will support you when you start teaching and tutoring. You do not necessarily need to speak fluent Spanish to be involved in our day cares or at your classes as a teacher, however basic Spanish is very useful. Volunteers with experience are strongly encouraged to apply. To prepare yourself you might want to take a teaching course at home and find supplemental teaching aids. This gives you the confidence to face your first class knowing you have the practical skills you will need throughout your work placement. However, we have various materials available that will help you plan your lessons and you will be accepted as a teacher even if you do not have any TEFL certificate. Creativity and enthusiasm go a long way! Also in schools you may be working with other teachers and/or other volunteers. A typical volunteer with this program comes without a lot of previous experience but has a number of ideas and enthusiasm, takes initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position.
AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the whole year. Mobile School and educational/recreational activities run by our Foundation are ongoing throughout the whole year. Public school related activities are not taking place during holidays
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
CONSERVATION - Ideal for the hands-on person who enjoys the outdoors
Do you enjoy the outdoors? How about trying your hand at tropical conservation? Helping to sustain our small-scale forest conservation tree planting project, you will work together with local grounds-work staff and possibly other volunteers. There is also potential for work in indigenous communities. Conservation is a wonderful way to make friends, get some fresh air, exercise, and help preserve Venezuela's natural beauty. Our conservation projects put you to work in a stunning location while surrounded by monkeys, toucans, parrots, butterflies and many other incredible species. This program also is a excellent opportunity for family volunteering! Do you feel the need to make a positive impact on the environment? Carry out environmental conservation to protect the fragile savannah ecosystem by helping us with maintaining our tree nursery and organic farming project on the Peace Villages foundations grounds. Twice every year, depending on how many volunteers we are able to mobilize, we clean natural beauty spots in the Gran Sabana national park and help preserve flora and fauna in this unique and fragile savannah ecosystem. Also, help passing on that passion for the environment to the young generation in public school based awareness programs. Help practice and teach hands on organic vegetable gardening, composting and green area maintenance in this school based teaching project side by side with children and adolescents. Venezuelan biodiversity is among the richest in the world. Learn all about sustainable development and organic garden practices. We offer our database, library and our own experiences. Help us to grow trees, vegetable and medicinal plants and promote environmental conservation at the Aldeas de Paz foundations grounds. Conservation volunteers will help to sustain our small-scale projects, working with local grounds staff and possibly other volunteers. All that is necessary is enthusiasm, self-reliance, patience and an open mind.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Footpath construction and maintenance in nearby tropical forest (all year)
• Occasional trash collection projects inside the La Gran Sabana national park (S)
• Nurturing plant seedlings and maintain tree nursery on foundations grounds (all year)
• Planting and maintaining young trees on our Community Center grounds (RR)
• Help maintaining Aldeas de Paz grounds and its small organic fruit and vegetable gardens (all year)
• Photographing, recording and cataloguing as many as possible of the native species of Flora and Fauna (all year)
• Assisting to build an educational trail for schoolchildren (all year)
• Teaching or assisting in programs for environmental education and organic gardening in local schools (all year)
• (MR) Develop a comprehensive species list of the existing wildlife in the savannah park and biologic reserve (all year)
REQUIREMENTS:
No previous experience or special skills are required. All that is necessary is enthusiasm, self-reliance, patience and an open mind.
(Only activities marked with (MR) have the following minimum requirements: Experience; Conversational Spanish language skills; 2 Months minimum time commitment)
This program is a great opportunity for family volunteering!
AVAILABILITY:
Seasonal (S)
Rainfall required (RR)
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
LIVE AND VOLUNTEER WITH THE FRIENDLY PEMÓN ABORIGINALS
The Gran Sabana is home to the Pemón Nation, an ethnic minority of about 6,000 people. The community of Chirikayen is one of many small, rural Pemón villages. It is 1.5 hours' drive (some parts over extremely bad roads) from Santa Elena, in the beautiful Gran Sabana national park. It has a population of less than 400 people and is located amidst breathtaking surroundings close to the Chirikayen Tepuy (flat-top mountain - 1650m). Chirikayen enjoys a healthy climate and environment and has a primary school, a health care station, a basic shop, and a Seventh Day Advantist church. This special assignment gives volunteers close insight into Pemón life, something which they find very rewarding. Chirikayen is a good site for those interested in contemporary indigenous issues and who want to watch and participate as locals decide on the future directions of their communities. Volunteers with a genuine interest in anthropology, indigenous rights, and cultural immersion will enjoy this placement. Integrate yourself into this strong community next to the flat-top mountains, enjoy the different pace of life and the fantastic views. Amenities are basic. There is electricity for only 3(ish) hours a day when a generator is run. Clothes are washed in the river. A radio in Chirikayen can call in to the City Hall in Santa Elena any time if it is necessary. The value of the actual volunteer work you do will be surpassed by the value of the cross-cultural experience, both for yourself and for the locals in Chirikayen, who are increasingly interested in pursuing the option of opening up their community to some small scale appropriate tourism. Your presence in the community will not only teach you about the Pemón and the situations that they face, but also will teach the people of Chirikayen about outsiders and what opening their community up for small scale tourism might mean. You can spend the duration of your volunteer placement with Peace Villages in Chirikayen. You can also spend some time there and some time volunteering with one or more of our other projects, which all involve living in Santa Elena. The activities in Chirikayen are not fixed. We encourage anyone with an idea for a sustainable project to propose it to us in advance so we can discuss it with the community leaders. Volunteers are also encouraged to be very flexible and to simply help locals with as many daily tasks as they can. The Chirikayen Tepuy excursion: A trek can be arranged with locals from the village of Chirikayen to the nearby Tepuy. It will take 2-3 days and is great for beginners. You will cross savannah, rainforests and see small gold and diamond mines. Make sure you have everything you need with you
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Gardening side by side with villagers using indigenous techniques
Daily house, kitchen and garden activities side by side with family members and neighbors
• Conservation activities (e.g. research and protection of wildlife, caring for seedlings, working with the members of the indigenous communities in the areas of the protection of river basins, water sources, and relative wildlife)
• Sustainable community projects such as organic agriculture
• Reforestation of areas affected by burning or mining activities
• Recreational and creative activities with kids, adolescents and school children
• Teaching English to Pemón tour guides and school children
• Building and maintenance work on communal infrastructure
• Initiating an environmental education program and exchanging knowledge of the rainforest and savannah habitat (Spanish required)
ACCOMMODATION:
Volunteers will be staying with a Pemón indigenous Host Family. The family will provide three meals a day, and a private room. Neighbours speak also English and the host family speaks Spanish and their indigenous mother language Taurepan. All meals are eaten with the family. Volunteers can choose to sleep in either hammocks or beds.
REQUIREMENTS:
You do not need special skills nor do you have to speak fluent Spanish, but you need to be flexible and willing to get involved in a wide range of activities. Many in these villages speak Spanish and some speak English as well. Special interest/skills in the areas of sports, music, art, construction, or English teaching are most helpful.
AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the year
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
ECOLOGICAL BUILDING/CARPENTRY - Hands on work in a beautiful setting
The ecological building project is ideal if you enjoy the outdoors and the beauty of the countryside. You can also hone your Spanish skills as you work side by side with our local grounds-maintenance workers. Assist with one of our most important projects: the expansion of Peace Villages multi-faceted Community & Therapy Center facilities for local children and young people with special needs.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Doing all sorts of carpentry projects in our fully stocked workshop
• Helping in the construction of a playground and other facilities for therapy on the PVF grounds
• Renovation/maintenance of rooms, gardens, recreational facilities and workshops
• Wood/stone work, including construction/maintenance of the Therapeutic Horse Riding facilities
• Assistance with day-to-day tasks, collaboration on projects using local ecological materials
REQUIREMENTS:
Little previous experience required. However, Volunteers with experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the year
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
NGO MANAGEMENT & ADMINISTRATION - The day-to-day running of a small, grassroots NGO
This program is perfect for those wanting to learn more about how an NGO is managed and those interested in starting an NGO! This volunteer placement and internship gives a glimpse into the day-to-day running of a small grassroots NGO. The NGO Administration Intern/Volunteer would work with the Volunteer/Program Coordinator and the PVF director primarily in administrational work and community outreach. The NGO Administration Intern program is a very versatile program, giving insight into all of the many facets of the running of the Peace Villages Foundation. Primarily a volunteer support-focused position, this role is critical in ensuring the smooth operation of the various PVF programs (PVF normally has anywhere between 3 and 12 volunteers working in the various programs and living on the PVF grounds, in hotels, or with host families). The NGO Administration intern/volunteer will have a natural interest in meeting new people, be passionate about ensuring a positive experience for each volunteer and enjoy being called upon to assist with general administration of the foundation.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Working on website: updating, revising
• Finding and maintaining various volunteer recruitment possibilities
• Working on public relations projects designed to mobilize community support. These include, but are not limited to: radio broadcasts, participating in neighborhood council meetings, writing bulletins, and organizing community projects
• Grant writing/fundraising
• Purchasing materials needed for PVF programs
• Conducting volunteer introduction meetings and assisting with coordination of volunteers
• Working in financial accountability tasks such as preparation of invoices, participation in financial planning and creating budgets
• Working with locals to find new volunteer opportunities
REQUIREMENTS:
A typical NGO administration & management volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and have a desire to take initiative in coordinating a group of volunteers and daily tasks. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. The participant would have a passion for development work, some experience in international volunteering, conversational Spanish and a desire to help other volunteers to have positive experiences with us. Staff and other volunteers will support the participant. A two months minimum time commitment is required.
AVAILABILITY:
Ongoing throughout the year
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
THERAPEUTIC HORSE RIDING - Excellent therapy for children with special needs
If you enjoy working with children, horses and being outdoors then this is a project that you would find very rewarding. Horses are incredible animals. They seem to sense when people have special needs and they try their best to adapt to meet those needs. These gentle giants are unbelievably understanding, compassionate and completely non-judgmental. Unless one is deliberately brutal, they continually excuse us for our mistakes. Horses truly give their hearts and souls for the people that love them. It is no wonder then that horses make such wonderful “therapists.” Therapeutic riding and horse interaction is a powerful tool for many as they strive toward wholeness. Special needs that therapeutic horse riding with Peace Villages meet, include emotional and behavioral issues, at risk youth, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and vision, speech and hearing impairments. The horse’s movements are smooth, and for those who are not able to walk on their own, the riding experience can help to exercise muscles that are used in walking and for balance. For individuals with cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, the smooth motion of the horse can help to improve balance, overall gross motor function, as well as trunk, pelvic and hip motion.3,4 In fact, miracles occasionally occur! Therapeutic riding can also be helpful for children with developmental disabilities and learning disabilities. Stevens (2007) discusses how horse interaction and therapeutic riding are particularly helpful for children with attention deficit disorder (ADD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). This type of therapeutic setting may help children to improve their: Listening skills and the ability to follow multi-step directions, Communication skills, Social skills, Self-esteem, Left to right orientation and directionality (start at the front, move to the back, move left to right), Sequencing (step one, step two, step three, etc. in order). Horse interaction and therapeutic riding can also help the child diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder to allow others to enter their world and eventually to join, at least to some degree, the world outside of themselves. We feel certain that you will enjoy, as much as we have, the opportunity to work with children in our Therapeutic Horseback Program! Our Therapeutic Riding Program depends on the dedication of our volunteers. Volunteering is a rewarding and educational experience. We offer volunteer training sessions to help you learn more about our students and horses. No horse experience needed. Learn to be a sidewalker or horse leader to allow special needs students to enjoy a safe and educational riding lesson. NOTE: Young Volunteers must be at least 8 years old. Assist with the feeding, grooming and cleaning of the horses and stables. We have a crew of volunteers that assist each morning and afternoon.
ACTIVITIES CAN INCLUDE:
• Daily maintenance and care of horses
• Assisting with therapeutic riding classes
• Maintenance of the paddock, arena and field shelter
• Assisting with horse care and management classes for children
• Maintenance of the saddlery and equipment
• Maintaining photographic and written records of the children's progress on a weekly basis
• Helping with the collection of grasses to feed the horses
• Opportunity to ride on weekends (lessons can be provided if inexperienced)
• Train horses (experience required)
REQUIREMENTS:
Anyone with an interest in working with horses and children can apply. None to little experience is necessary as training will be given by our staff horse therapist. Enthusiasm and a willingness to learn is a must! However, Volunteers with experience are strongly encouraged to apply.
AVAILABILITY:
The program and the facility runs throughout the year
TYPICAL VOLUNTEER:
A typical volunteer/intern needs to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge, has a desire to take initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the position. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. We welcome individual volunteers, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background. You don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide full support and 24 hour back-up from our local staff. Volunteers and interns are the driving force of Peace Villages' work, both through their volunteering and through their financial contributions. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish, and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. The beauty in volunteering lies in the fact that you are not simply passing through as a tourist. You are interacting with the community, building relationships and making a positive impact. It is an experience that may well change your life!
