Some of our partners offer exciting projects to work on – even for longer stays, allowing you a deeper insight into the country and its people.
Do you remember our interview with Heiko from the online portal People Abroad? We talked about the opportunities and problems of volunteering abroad. (Read the interview here)
Inkaterra Ascociación in Peru
Inkaterra Ascociación belongs to the Peruvian hotel group Inkaterra. Every now and then, we share the exciting projects and initiatives Inkaterra and its NGO Inkaterra Asociación realize together. The Inkaterra Guides Field Station, a research center exploring the diverse flora and fauna of the Peruvian rainforest, is located in the rainforest around the two eco-luxury lodges Inkaterra Reserva Amazónica and Inkaterra Hacienda Concepción.
Monitoring programs collect data and – after evaluation – strategies are developed to protect and restore the ecosystem. Meanwhile, 540 birds have been registered and 61 different animal species have been identified with the help of a camera trap (including jaguars, tapirs, ocelots and more), as well as many different plant species. A special project is the Bio-Orchard: Many original and traditional foods and medicinal plants are planted using local and ecological methods and techniques.
When volunteering at the research center, you will stay in one of the cabañas. Incidentally, the meals are included as well as transfer from the airport in Puerto Maldonado to the Inkaterra Guides Field Station. As a volunteer, you can participate in the projects and initiatives, support scientific research, and contribute to the well-being of local communities and education. By the way, even if you are not traveling to the rainforest for volunteering, you can visit the Guides Field Station during a trip from one of the lodges.
Interested? Just fill out the form on the website of Inkaterra Asociación and pick a project.
Balipara Foundation in Assam, India
In the northeast of India, in the foothills of the Himalayas lies the Assam region. Here, the Balipara Foundation is located, which is involved in an incredible array of conservation, research and education projects for the local communities. Incidentally, the Wild Mahseer located here as well is also a project of the foundation and puts great emphasis on community-based tourism and encounters in nature.
As a volunteer, you immerse yourself in the local culture and can support the projects with your work. In the Eastern Himalayan Botanic Ark, for example, the tasks range from researching medicinal plants to preparing awareness campaigns on sustainable topics in their NaturenomicsTM school. But that’s not all: there’s a big variety of projects to join, and in the Wild Mahseer itself you can, for example, help to organize homestay stays.
Are you interested? Fin all projects of the Balipara Foundation as well as contact details on their webpage.
Dogs and cat rescue on Koh Samui
Not directly offered by the hotel itself, but recommended and approved, is the Dog and Cat Rescue Samui Foundation on Koh Samui. The eco-luxury hotel Tongsai Bay has been supporting its neighbors for years. Here, you can either stay only for a day, a few hours or spend your entire holiday helping the team with animal care. From bathing to petting, office work or craft activities – everything is needed! By the way, veterinarians with two years of practical experience are always welcome to help as well.
Here’s more information on volunteering at the Dog and Cat Rescue Samui Foundation on their webpage.
Education for girls in the Atlas Mountains
Another great initiative is the Moroccan Education for All, co-founded by the Kasbah du Toubkal. Find out more about Education of All in this blog post:
The organization is always looking for volunteers helping the girls with school work but also with teaching. However, you should stay for at least three months in the project. More information on volunteering in the organization can be found on the EfA Morocco website.
You would like to engage on vacation, but you don’t have that much time? Some hotels and destinations also offer smaller projects where you can take part for a few hours only. Have a look at these opportunities:
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