Program Photos
Live and Volunteer in a Typical Pemon Aboriginal Community
Location: Venezuela: Santa Elena de Uiaren
Term: Throughout the year
Program Duration: 1-2 weeks, 2-4 weeks, 5-8 weeks, 9-12 weeks, 3-6 months (includes high school academic semester abroad), 7-12 months (includes high school academic year abroad), 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 weeks
Dates: All year round, leaving to the community on Fridays (get here on a Thursday)
Aldeas de Paz - Language classes, Adventure, Volunteering, Internships
Lomas de Piedras Canaima via Sampai Santa Elena de Uairen, La Gran Sabana 8032 Venezuela
Call Us
Phone: 0058 - 414 8704895
Description
This special assignment gives you close insight into the Pemón indigenous life and culture, and is very rewarding for the caring individual, ready to support the worthwhile cause of preserving and nurturing indigenous traditions. Volunteers with a genuine interest in anthropology, cultural influences and differences will enjoy this placement. Integrate yourself into this strong community next to the flat-top mountains, enjoy the different pace of life, the fantastic views and your volunteer work. This is a great opportunity for volunteers to live alongside indigenous people in this remote and beautiful part of Latin America.
The Sabana is the home of the Pemón Nation, an ethnic minority of about 6,000 people. They are encountering problems such as sour soils poor in minerals, which make cultivation very difficult, so that after a relatively short period of time they slash and burn further parts of forest. This, together with increasing anthropogenic pressure, illegal mining, new population settlements and so on, leads to forest fragmentation with strong negative impact on ecosystem functionality and the continued vibrancy of Pemon culture.
The community of Chirikayen is a small rural village an hour's drive (by 4wd) from Santa Elena in the heart of the beautiful La Gran Sabana national park. It has a population of only 200 people and is located amidst breathtaking surroundings close to the Chirikayen Tepui (flat-top mountain - 1650m). Chirikayen enjoys a healthy climate and environment. Chirikayen has a primary school, a health care station, a basic shop and a church.
Amenities are very basic. There is electricity for only 3 hours a day when a generator is run. Clothes are washed in the river. The program coordinator and some locals speak fluent English. You will stay with a host family in a traditionally built house. You will enjoy comfortable hammock sleeping and share delicious meals, traditionally cooked and served.
Highlights
Activities include:
* Conservation activities like research and protection of wildlife, and caring for seedlings.
* Sustainable community development projects such as ecotourism and organic agriculture.
* Working with the members of the indigenous communities in the areas of the protection of river basins, water sources, and relative wildlife.
* Reforestation of areas affected by burning or mining activities, and gardening using indigenous techniques.
* Recreational and creative activities with small kids and school children.
* Teaching English to Pemón tourist 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.
Qualifications
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 range of activities. A pro-active attitude is essential and it helps to have patience. Pemón aboriginals are wary of losing their cultural identity. Any skills that you have in areas, from sports and music, English teaching, to art or "handy man skills", will be more than welcome and help ensure that you get the most out of your placement and contribute fully to it.
Intern Types
- Anthropology
- Counseling
- Development
- Ecology
- Education
- English as a Second Language
- Field-Study
- Fourth World Studies
- Human Resources
- Human Rights
- Humanities
- Interdisciplinary
- Political Science/Politics
- Psychology
- Social Sciences
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Spanish
- Sustainable Development
Languages
- English
- Spanish
Cost in US$:
depends on length of stay starting at USD640 per month
Cost Include Description:
Credit Available
no
Volunteer Types
- Academic Reinforcement
- Adult Education
- Agriculture
- Anthropology
- Appropriate Technology
- Arts
- Athletics
- Building Maintenance
- Childcare/children
- Community Centers
- Community Development
- Community Organizing
- Conflict Resolution
- Consciousness-raising
- Conservation
- Cooking
- Counseling
- Culture
- Curriculum Planning
- Drama
- Education
- English Teaching
- Environment
- Grassroots Organization
- Human Rights
- Indigenous Issues
- Peace
- Popular Education
- Primary Education
- Public Education
- Public Speaking Coordination
- Recreation
- Secondary Education
- Social Services, Social Work
- Tutor
- Volunteering
- Youth
- Youth Development
Typical Volunteer
Typical volunteers are very flexible, are creative and self-motivated, and are interested in indigenous culturesAge Range
12 - 80This Program is open to
Worldwide Participant. This Program is also open to Families, Couples and Individuals.
Typical Living Arrangements
- Home-stays
Participants Travel to Venezuela
Independently
Application Process Involves
- Resume
- Written Application
Typically The Application Process Time is
1 daysPost Services Include
- Alumni Network
- Exit Debriefing Abroad
- Job and Internship Network
Aldeas de Paz - Language classes, Adventure, Volunteering, Internships's Mission Statement
We support disadvantaged and at risk children and young people of Venezuelan, Brazilian and Guyanan origin. We promote sustainable development, social justice and the "Culture of Peace" through enriching cross-cultural exchange and voluntary community service. We provide additional and alternative opportunities in educational, recreational and environmental fields and assist our beneficiaries to develop their potential and improve their own lives.
Year Founded
2000
