DESCRIPTION: Volunteer
Peten is a small independent non-for-profit organization that is dedicated to
1) protect and manage a 150-acre ecological reserve in San Andres, Peten, 2)
provide environmental education programs to all the schools in the San Andres
area, 3) assist and develop small sustainable community projects, 4) provide
quality volunteer opportunities for international travelers and students. Volunteer
Peten provides volunteer opportunities for travelers and students who have an
interest in environmental issues, education, or community development.
SPECIES: Volunteer Peten has identified in
the area over 160 bird species, 120 medicinal plant species, 95 tree species,
and countless insect and reptile species in the park. Mammal species include kinkajous, coatis,
pacas, white tailed deer, tayras, ocelots, anteaters, squirrels, bats, and
agoutis.
HABITAT: Semi-humid, deciduous tropical
rain forest.
GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION: Northern Guatemala. San Andres,
Peten. 2 hours from Belize Border, 30
minutes from Santa Elena Peten.
TRAVEL INFORMATION: Ask for the Troja restaurant in
San Andres. San Andres is 30 min. by bus from Santa Elena. Buses can be found in the large market area
in Santa Elena. Santa Elena is next to
Flores Peten. Flores is 7 hours from
Guatemala City by bus and 1 hour by plane.
Flores is 1.5 hours by bus from the Belize border.
DURATION:
Volunteers can stay for a little as one week up to 6 months.
PERIOD: Year round.
AGE: Min. 18.
QUALIFICATIONS AND SKILLS: No
specific skills required for generic volunteers.
VOLUNTEERS WORK: Volunteers
work Monday though Friday from 8-12. Afternoons
are usually spent running errands, teaching in schools, relaxing, or taking
Spanish lessons. Most work in outside
and includes trail management, reforestation, gardening, minor construction,
environmental education, and making arts and crafts.
LANGUAGE: English, basic Spanish is highly
desirable.
ACCOMMODATION: Volunteers lodge in the
Volunteers House which provides room, full bath, full kitchen, electricity,
water, purified water, bicycle, and 24 hour caretaker. Volunteers may also
lodge with local families, see costs below.
COST:
Current costs for volunteers are: 4 weeks US$ 350, 8 weeks US$ 650, 12 weeks US$ 950, Includes
all food, housing (with local family), training, activities, and resources
for projects. Also, we will provide airport pickup or bus terminal
pickup from Santa Elena, bicycle rental, and orientation. Volunteers
can take private SPANISH LESS ONS for $3 per hour with qualified local
teachers in their free time. After 12 weeks of service, Volunteer Peten will
provide a volunteer with a furnished house in San Andres for a rate of $50
per month, which includes all furniture, full kitchen and bath facilities,
electricity, and water.
LONG TERM: Volunteers can stay for as
long as they want.
