Venezuela Indigenous Pemon Community Work

  Venezuela

Santa Elena de Uiaren

Durations of Program: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks and 5-8 weeks
Dates: First Monday of the month

Description: The Sabana is home to the traditional community of approximately 6000 Pemon Indians. An ethnic minority, fiercely protective of their cultural identity, this community are suffering from a range of social and environmental pressures.

This project gives volunteers the opportunity to spend some time living as a community member and helping out with various projects and activities. Duties and activities that you will be involved with include:

    * Conservation activities such as research and protection of wildlife
    * Sustainable community development projects
    * Talking to members of the indigenous communities with respect to the protection of river basins and water sources and relative wildlife
    * Reforestation of areas affected by burning or mining activities, indigenous gardening
    * Teaching English to Pemon Indian tourist guides and schoolchildren
    * Building and maintenance work on communal infrastructure
    * Initiate an environmental education program and exchanging knowledge of the rainforest and
    * savannah habitat

Highlights: Orientation

On your first day of the programme you will have a full orientation with our on-site staff. The programme co-ordinator will provide training in order for volunteers to gain knowledge of the work they will be involved in, discuss project and volunteer expectations, and get an insight into Venezuelan culture. They will answer any additional questions you may have.

Topics covered will include:

    * An introduction to Venezuelan culture and values
    * Your health and safety whilst in Venezuela
    * Workplace ethics and essential information before starting your project
    * Money and transportation in Venezuela
    * An introduction to the area where you will be working
    * Local food and practices
    * Areas of Venezuela worth visiting in your free time

After this meeting the co-ordinator will arrange suitable times with the volunteer to visit the other projects, in order to better understand the overall goals, objectives, and strategies of the programme.
Project Support

Our trained and experienced on-site co-ordinators will be based at the project to provide full support throughout your time in Venezuela. They will provide you with competent field support and assistance, and help you with any questions or advice you may need during your stay.
Accommodation and Meals

You will live amongst the friendly Pemon Indians and enjoy daily life in this typical indigenous community. You will stay in host family-style accommodation with locals (possibly the village chief) in the village in traditionally built houses. You will enjoy comfortable hammock sleeping and share delicious meals, traditionally cooked and served.
Free Time

Chirikayen itself only contains a primary school, church, health centre, and a basic shop. You can spend all your time in Chirikayen although you do need to be aware that there is little to do so you are advised to bring your own entertainment and plenty of reading materials! Alternatively, Santa Elena is only an hour's drive away where it is possible to partake in various recreational activities including trekking, hiking, biking, and swimming in one of the nearby waterfalls.

The Chirikayen Tepuy excursion (2-3 days) is available to volunteers living and working in Chirikayen village, who will be accompanied by a local guide and porter. It is something you can do over a weekend, or possibly between projects if you chose to stay on in Santa Elena. This is a great trekking experience for beginners as the climb is relatively easy. You will cross savannah, rainforests, and witness small diamond and gold mines.

Cost in US$: from $1669

Experience Required: no

Age Range: Minimum 18 years

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Application Process Involves:

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Other
• Written Application

Real Gap Experience's Mission Statement: We are ambitious for our company, our partners and the communities in which we work. We take our responsibilities seriously - understanding that the development of our business impacts directly on our partners, the communities that we visit and work with and that ultimately, our success is their success too.