Learn Spanish and Volunteer
Combine learning Spanish with volunteering and helping out the community! Programs start every Monday. Minimum period is 4 weeks. Normal period is 8 weeks
Options available:
Street Kids - Fundacion Don Bosco del Nino
(based in Merida). Don Basco is a very well known charity organisation throughout South America. These children were street kids, and now are housed and feed, and at the Don Basco school. The objective is to find good families and homes so these poor children can start a new life. You will be fully involved in the organisation, and help with everything from cooking sports coaching and organising your own extra activities with the children. Extra activities have included - English lessons, German lessons, football coaching, art lesson, music classes and even ice-skating excursions! - All new fun ideas are very welcome. This is a great 'hands on' programme, and the opportunity to really help to change individual's lives.
Zoo / Aquarium - Chorros de Milla Zoo
(based in Merida). Those students who want to work with wildlife can choose underwater activities at the aquarium or wild animal life at the zoo. You can also accompany Phillipe, the vet, out to help rescue animals.
Warao Indian School in the Orinoco Delta
(program starts in Playa Colorada, and then is deep in the Orinoco Delta jungle.). This School was started up to give the poor Waro Indian children a better chance to integrate into our society, and also to teach them their own Warao culture. Students assist local teachers in the daily activities and lessons. In addition students are expected to help out in the lodge in the evenings. Note, that this is a remote location and full of indigenous Indian encounters. However, you accommodation is very nice! There For this program you take 2 weeks of Spanish prior to the volunteering. There is no Spanish lessons while in the jungle
'Jakera Club'
(based in Playa Colorada). This was started in 2002 and is based in the fishing village of Playa Colorada. Projects undertaken by students to date have included building a school, rebuilding a community centre washed away in a landslide, small base ball stadium, volley ball court and help maintain the football pitch, organize games and events and help to keep the beach and recreational areas clean and safe. Local volunteers and students work together to make this a very rewarding and successful program.
High School Community Project
(based in Playa Colorada). This is our biggest undertaking so far. We are renovating, rebuilding the whole high school that was washed aaway in a major landslide! We have made good progress already in 2007 and 2008 thanks to an influx of summer students in July and August, but still have a long way to go. A great community project for students looking to work with locals and practise their conversational skills.
As well as placements with established non profit organisations we also collaborate with local people on one-off projects such as creating a beach volley ball pitch or painting a school fence. You can find out more about these and other projects by reading our latest Jakera Club News Bulletin and also in our students own words.
Prices:
The price is $345 per week and includes 20 hours per week of Intensive Spanish lessons, activities listed below, volunteer placement and support, accommodation in either Merida or Playa Colorada for length of program, breakfast and dinner. local airport transfers to Merida or Playa Colorada as appropriate.
Activities includes an introduction to Amazing Merida with a choice of three activities .e.g. Horse riding, Mountain Biking, Day Hike, Salsa Dance classes or activities in Playa Colorada as appropriate.
For those staying 8 weeks we also include a two-day trip (choose from Horse riding, Hiking, or Mountain biking); AND a four-day wildlife jeep and boat safari to Los Llanos (a premier wildlife location).
For the Orinoco Delta volunteer please add $100 for transportation