Help at a wildlife rehabilitation center in Rurrenabaque, Bolivia

Details

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  Description

  The center created by Frédéric in 2020, is a non-profit community project without equal in the world, that offers a unique experience in an inspiring place, the Bolivian Amazon; we reflect a way of life focused on the conservation of nature and local traditions and we work on rehabilitation of rescued wildlife, in addition it is a health and education center for the Indigenous Community Carmen Florida.
  Through the contribution of volunteers, the Health Fund is created, a direct benefit for community members in cases of emergencies, accidents and illnesses.
  Courses of education and training, such as language classes for English and Tacana, math and environmental education are realized by competent local teachers as well as by volunteers in the communities' school and in the future also in the centers' own school location, once it is established.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  Volunteers will learn about the needs and detailed care of the different local wildlife species, like nutrition and appropriate accommodation in a natural environment. Further the complicated task of rehabilitation and relocation of the rescued wild animals in their natural habitat. Also the veterinary care in our animal clinic is an important part of the work with wildlife.
  As the work with wildlife is just one part of the center´s mission, the volunteers will also learn and benefit from cultural exchange with the indigenous community members. The close contact to the community opens the view to a different way of life, that is focused on picking and harvesting the "fruits" and materials, that the tropical amazon forest offers.
  Working on constructions with local materials and basic tools is a perfect way to improve creativity and manual skills.
  The work with and between the local flora inside the jungle is a valuable contribution to an important knowledge, which plants are eatable, medicinal or can be used for handicrafts and construction.
  Sometimes you will get the opportunity to work a day in the community instead of the center, which means mainly hard physically demanding work, such as "cleaning" areas or paths from abundant vegetation with machete.

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  Help

  Volunteering consists of various activities inside and outside the center, adapting to the skills and talents of each volunteer: General maintenance and construction, woodwork, cleaning of centers' environments (animal cages, gardens and housing), shopping and cooking, feeding and taking care of the wild animals, administrative and advertising work (in Rurrenabaque in the office, if applies), among others.
  From volunteers we demand 5 days of work per week, which means 2 days free time for personal use. Days off are Sunday and Monday.
  We also need help in the administration in Rurrenabaque (if you are interested in doing this particular job, please let us know before you do the volunteer)

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  Languages spoken

  German: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  English: Intermediate

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  Accommodation

  At the moment we offer basic sleep accommodation at the center for a maximum of 12 volunteers at a time. The dormitories are equipped with common beds and mosquito nets.
  We include breakfast, lunch and dinner at the center during your stay, vegetarian food is available and if you have any special food needs, please let us know in advance. In the future there will be also private houses available.
  A beautiful view over the river Beni just beside your room make your stay even more special.
  The center has bathrooms with toilet and shower, but no electricity yet.
  We charge a 7 USD contribution per day per person for food expenses.

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  What else ...

  For the daily work at the center, you should bring: a pair of rubber boots (for your own safety in the jungle), long trousers and long white sleeve shirts, a sun protection (hat, cap), flashlight and natural repellent. It is forbidden to use chemical repellents during the work with animals.
  Before making your decision to volunteer in that beautiful but also extreme environment, the amazon rainforest, please be aware of hot and humid clima, many insects and mosquitos as well as no internet access and no electricity at the center, yet.
  This is a young and relatively small center, with parts still in construction, limited space and a lot of work to do and we really depend on the help and support of brave and good mood volunteers, that's why we ask you to please take seriously any apply for volunteering and thanks to let us know as fast as possible any case of delays or possible cancelations of a confirmed/reserved volunteering.
  In the idyllic town of Rurrenabaque several tourist agencies offer tours and trips to the Madidi National Park, Pilon Lajas Reserve and the Pampas of Yacuma; we recommend to wait until your arrival with the reservation of commercial tours, as we can offer helpful information and local recommendations. The community we work with, Carmen Florida, also offers excursions into the jungle and the community lands and in the town of Rurrenabaque itself you can go for some short walks (like to the viewpoint) and there are several nice pools in town to hang up and relax in a hammock with some exotic tropical fruit, such as coconut, chocolate, etc.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  This host charges a fee

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  Why does workaway.info allow listings of hosts who charge money?

  In developing countries (Where most hosts are involved in charity work or community development) some of our hosts may ask for a small donation to help the host family or charity (often less then 5 dollars per day) Workaway will allow this listing when the donation goes directly to the family or charity and is just to cover the cost of the volunteer‘s stay.  (This will be clearly marked on the host listing).
  We will strictly not allow listings posted by agents, “middle men” or projects who we feel are looking to profit from a volunteers stay.
   

   

   

  50 bolivianos ($7) per day to cover food

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