Fundación Aldeas de Paz
Focus: Sustainable living, Community, Education, Healthcare and Horse Riding.
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Project Description
Aldeas de Paz is a sustainable grassroots NGO based in Santa Elena de Uairén, Venezuela. We are independent from political, religious or business interests and maintain financial independence by funding and operating our programs with the practical and monetary contributions of our volunteers.
We support disadvantaged communities in the process of achieving sustainable development, social justice and peace, and promote a Culture of Peace through enriching cross-cultural exchange and community service for people of all nationalities. We fundamentally focus on the preservation of indigenous cultures and the empowerment of young people while valuing local knowledge and cultural sensitivity.
Aldeas de Paz provides volunteer opportunities in humanitarian, educational, recreational and environmental fields. Our Youth, Community and Nature program offers educational and recreational opportunities for local children, and includes activities such as teaching and tutoring, mobile schooling, ecological building, and environmental conservation.
Our Horse Riding for Disadvantageous Youth program has a therapeutic effect on emotional and behavioural issues of local youth, while our program with the nearby Pemón indigenous community of Chirikayén offers a cross-cultural experience for volunteers interested in contemporary indigenous issues.
Our Medicine and Healthcare program offers the opportunity to assist the paramedics and nurses of a small ambulance service, and our NGO Management and Administration program offers the valuable experience of assisting with the general administration of the foundation and the coordination and supervision of community programs.
We also facilitate volunteers’ placements with a Multi Media Travel Journalism program organized by a partner NGO operating in the Philippines, and finally, volunteers have the opportunity to propose and create their own short-term projects in Santa Elena.
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.
Volunteer Information
Costs & Benefits
Requirements
Contact information
Project Summary
We welcome individuals, families and groups regardless of age, experience or background to volunteer or intern in our community programs, in which they have the option of combining different activities or specializing in a particular one.
As our programs are flexible and particular activities are constantly adapted to weather patterns, children's needs and volunteer numbers and capacities, volunteers and interns are encouraged to show initiative, independence, and flexibility.
Volunteers and interns are encouraged to form schedules which work for them, and decide how many hours they want to work. We recommend a minimum 3 days a week, and you may work as much as 5 days and as many hours you wish.
Our volunteers don't have to speak fluent Spanish as we provide up to 10 hours of free Spanish lessons every week, full on-site support and 24 hour back-up from local staff.
Volunteers and Interns can choose between four accommodation options, on which costs and financial contributions are based:
Volunteer Guesthouse on the foundations grounds 1440 Euro for 12 weeks;
Independent Living in hostel or apartment 2040 Euro for 12 weeks;
Living with Indigenous host family in Chirikayén 1440 Euro for 12 weeks;
Camping at the foundation at roofed camping site 960 Euro for 12 weeks.
Costs include;
Use mountain bikes, gym, pool, sport facilities;
Internet and use of home cinema with extensive DVD collection
Up to 10 Spanish language lessons every week
Certificate and/or written reference or student credit
Full support and 24/7 back-up from local staff
Santa Elena bus terminal pick-up
Car pooling
Kitchen cooking facilities (Guesthouse includes 3 meals)
The calculation of costs is set up so that the longer you stay the less you give per week. These are examples are based on staying 12 weeks download a full breakdown at www.peacevillages.org.
Aldeas de Paz welcomes individuals, families and groups regardless of age, experience, background or Spanish skills. If you are travelling alone, interns and volunteers need to be over the age of 16, and parents’ permission is required if under the age of 18. Children under the age of 16 are welcome if traveling with responsible adults.
For most of our programs, no previous experience or special skills are required, all that is necessary is flexibility, enthusiasm, willingness to learn, to be ready for a challenge, to have a desire to take initiative and to dedicate a lot of care and passion to the position. However, volunteers and interns with experience are strongly encouraged to apply, and for some of our programs, including Horse Riding for Disadvantageous Youth, Medicine and Healthcare, and NGO Management and Administration, the level of relevant experience and Spanish language skills will determine the type of tasks the volunteer or interns will be able to take on.
For the Medicine and Healthcare, NGO Management and Administration, and Multi Media Travel Journalism programs a minimum time commitment of four weeks is required to ensure continuity in our work.
Note that the Pemón Indigenous Exchange program always starts on a Friday, and if possible you should arrive in Santa Elena latest on a Thursday for proper preparation.
Fundación Aldeas de Paz
Lomas de Piedra Canaima
Santa Elena de Uairén;
Código Postal 8011
La Gran Sabana
Estado Bolívar; Venezuela
Phone: Office: +58 (0) 414 870-4895. Guesthouse: +58 (0) 289 416-5721
Email: mail@peacevillages.org
Website: www.peacevillages.org
Location: Estado Bolívar; Venezuela
Average cost per day: 12 Euro (based on 12 weeks)
Focus: Sustainable living, Community, Education, Healthcare and Horse Riding.
Skills needed: Basic Spanish (Lessons Provided)
