Accommodation & Board

Use your creativity

Enjoy the cultural exchange of cooperative living at our Volunteer Guesthouse, or one of our other accommodation options

Accommodation Options:

Volunteer Guesthouse, Independent Living, Indigenous Homestay or Camping/Hammock accommodation

The Volunteer Guesthouse

cooperative Living on our Foundation Grounds

Located on the edge of the small village of Santa Elena de Uairén in Venezuela, the Foundation Grounds Volunteer Guesthouse is by far the most popular accommodation option. It offers spectacular views of the valley below, the surrounding mountains and the wideness of the savannah. Roraima and Kukenan tepuy, the famous and impressive flattop mountains, can be seen from the terrace of the volunteers cooperative living residents.

Free spanish language immersion course

We prepare our volunteers for cultural immersion and the contact with the local people. 16 hours of spanish conversational language classes every week assure that your spanish skills are quickly improving. Fully enjoy cultural immersion and soon make new friends! The language course takes place at the Volunteer Guesthouse on foundations grounds but independent living volunteers and camping guests are invited to join.

.......I took a lot of opportunities which I wouldn’t have taken at home. The stay here opened my mind, made me more sensitive for other people and cultures and I hope it also changed me, what I will see back at home.
˜ Jakob Zscheischler / Horkenweg, Germany

safety and a great community atmosphere

The village can be easily reached by foot. The village and its surroundings are very safe and generations of volunteers have been enjoying this wonderful path into the village center. Hikes into the virgin rain forest, starting on the Foundations Grounds can be an exiting adventure and there are trails which lead to a 360 degree sight seeing spot on top of a nearby mountain or to a wild river deep in the forest.

Outdoor activities and adventure

You may also like to ride out on our horse and discover the savannah from the horseback or enjoy an excursion to a nearby indigenous village with refreshing rivers, amazing waterfalls or discover an ancient cave nearby. Mountain bikes are available and can be freely used by volunteers. Besides the great bike tracks to be discovered around the Foundations grounds, the bikes can also be used to get to your placement in the village if you prefer not to use our car pooling option.

The best and most amazing thing about this whole trip were all the people I worked/played with.
Dylan Jones / Phoenix, USA

Live in a supportive environment

This very popular Volunteer Guesthouse accommodation arrangement opens the possibility to live and work together with long-term local and international volunteers. It is a great opportunity for cultural exchange between volunteers from all over the world and various cultural/ethnic backgrounds.

Cooperative living through group decisions

With us the managerial level is more horizontal than in most NGOs or businesses, and many decisions are taken by consensus. If you choose this living option you can be sure that you will be included in some important decisions which will shape the future of the foundation as a charity and a significant social experiment of cooperative living. Inspiring exchanges and discussion circles are the settings for future development decisions and often take place spontaneously. It's our committed volunteers who assist in determining the direction of Aldeas de Paz.

Great times, great experiences, great people. Will take away so much including my bad Spanish and deteriorated liver.
David Gautier / Hull, England

Location

The foundations grounds are in a beautiful natural setting just on the edge of the village on a small hill. The path is absolutely safe with very few passing cars and lovely neighbors which constantly offer lifts. It also presents a great time to share with your fellow volunteers! We are located on a breathtaking spot overlooking the village and with spectacular views over the Savannah and the famous table-top mountains.

Practicalities

Cooperative Living participants share a particularly enjoyable time-table whereby community volunteer work, cooperative living tasks, and organizational meetings combined do not extend to more than the amount of hours per week which each volunteer individually decides to dedicate. A personalized weekly working plan distributes tasks based on necessity and personal preferences. Past volunteers confirm the special nature of this living convergence and have enjoyed it tremendously.

On a more personal note, commune living has been really enjoyable and very educational! I found myself discovering common ground and getting close to people I probably wouldn't come across in my normal life. It's been a good reminder that while people's views and behavior might confuse or frustrate you at first, we're all shaped by very different experiences and trying to understand these is fascinating.
Alex Randall

Considerations

We feel that it is important to highlight that we have created an environment of respect and consideration. The Cooperative Living staff and volunteers are encouraged to improve constantly the environment which they are creating for themselves.

What is included

  • Shared bedrooms (single rooms plus 10%)
  • Community kitchen, three meals per day
  • Use of Mountain bikes, Sport facilities, Gym, Wading Pool
  • Use of home cinema with extensive DVD collection
  • 16 Spanish language classes every week
  • Car pooling

[+] see financial contribution

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Ground Facilities Include:

Vegetable & Flower Gardens

teaching and tutoring local children

Enjoy the natural spiecies of fruits and plants in our gardens
Hammock Terrace

teaching and tutoring local children

A relaxing area to read a book or take a siesta in the afternoon
Camping Grounds

teaching and tutoring local children

Enjoy the beauty of sleeping outdoors, or cooking over a campfire
Recreation Field

teaching and tutoring local children

Play football, beach ball and frisbee in the canche overlooking the town 
Wading Pool

teaching and tutoring local children

A popular attraction for children from the community in our programs and volunteers alike
Gym

teaching and tutoring local children

We have a very simple gym set-up, in addition to areas for yoga and other exercise
Craft & Wood Workshop

teaching and tutoring local children

Assist with general maintenance work or be creative with wood and other ecological materials
Creative Kitchen

teaching and tutoring local children

Share your cooking knowlege, learn a new dish and cook together with fellow volunteers and staff
 
Home Theatre

teaching and tutoring local children

Enjoy a latin or foreign film together on our flat-screen TV at our home theatre
 

 Cooperative living photo gallery

Hammock Area

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Making a communal meal for 15

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Making a communal meal for 15

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Relaxing during a hot afternoon

photo

Our outdoor kitchen facilities

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Getting ready for an afternoon program

Host Family Options

Independent Living, Indigenous Host Family or Camping Site

Independent Living

Hostel or Apartment  

There is a popular social venue in town where you can meet other volunteers and travelers. Staying in a hostel, posada or apartment is a good way to find out about town life and everyday happenings.

Why Independent?

This option attracts individuals who value spontaneity and their own space. It caters to volunteers who have less of an interest in Cooperative Living, but still feel passionate about volunteering. Independent Accommodation is also a good choice for people who prefer the convenience of being located in the middle of the town center.

Practicalities

Of course, individuals who choose this option are always warmly welcomed at the Foundation Grounds and are invited to use all facilities. Independent Accommodation allows volunteers to self-cater, encouraging them to try the delicious street food and local restaurants. Santa Elena has a good supply of quality fresh produce and a range of restaurants. (Cost: Eating three meals a day in restaurants: USD $ 10 - 20)

What is included

  • Private bedroom and bathroom in a local hostel, posada or apartment (self catering)
  • 16 free Spanish language classes every week at the Volunteer Guesthouse on Foundations grounds

What isn't included:
Food supply

[+] see financial contribution
 

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Chirikayen - Host Family

Live with Indigenous People

This special assignment gives volunteers close insight into Pemón life, something which they find very rewarding.

Living in Chirykayen

Chirikayen has a population of less than 400 people and is located amidst breathtaking surroundings close to the Chirikayen Tepuy. The village enjoys a healthy climate and environment and has a primary school, a health care station, a community building for meetings, a basic shop, and a church. Chirikayen is a good site for those interested in contemporary indigenous issues and who want to watch and participate as locals decide on the future directions of their communities. Volunteers with a genuine interest in anthropology, indigenous rights, and cultural immersion will enjoy this placement. Integrate yourself into this strong community next to the flat-top mountains, enjoy the different pace of life and the fantastic views.

Practicalities

Amenities are basic. There is electricity for only 3(ish) hours a day when a generator is run. Clothes are washed in the river. There are no telephones but a community radio can call to the City Hall in Santa Elena any time if it is necessary. Locals speak Spanish and their indigenous mother language Taurepan - some neighbors speak English as well. All meals are eaten with the family. Volunteers can choose to sleep in either in hammocks or in beds.

What is included

  • Homestay with a Pemón Indigenous host family (private room)
  • Three meals a day will be provided

[+] see financial contribution

roofed Camping site

Camping at the Foundation

The camping ground consists of a roofed wooden platform with kitchen facilties, showers, ecological toiletts, changing rooms and a stockroom with personal lockers. The views are spectacular, there is electricity and a gas stove as well as a firepit.

Live and work in a cooperative and supportive environment

The camping & hammock accomodation arrangement opens up the possibility to live and work together with long-term local and international staff and volunteers on the foundation's grounds 

Practicalities

Volunteers who choose the camping & hammock accomodation option share most of the foundation ground's facilties within the cooperative living area.
Food is not catered for, however if you wish to participate in the cooperative meal plan, you can do so for a small additional contribution. (Euro 25 per week)

What is included

  • Roofed camping facility or hammock terrace
  • Kitchen cooking facilities (self catering)
  • Bathroom and toilet facilities
  • Use of Mountain bikes, Sport facilities, Gym, Wading Pool
  • Use of home cinema with extensive DVD collection
  • 16 free Spanish language classes every week
  • Car pooling

What isn't included:
Food supply

[+] see financial contribution

Fundación Aldeas de Paz is a Registered NGO in Venezuela •• Feel free to email us with any additional questions or skype: sabanero11 © 2012 Aldeas de paz •• Updated 10.04.2012