Accommodation & Board
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
Ground Facilities Include:
Vegetable & Flower Gardens
Hammock Terrace
Camping Grounds
Recreation Field
Wading Pool
Gym
Craft & Wood Workshop
Creative Kitchen
Home Theatre
Cooperative living photo gallery
Host Family Options
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.
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.
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)
- 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
Chirikayen - Host Family
Live with Indigenous People
This special assignment gives volunteers close insight into Pemón life, something which they find very rewarding.
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.
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.
- Homestay with a Pemón Indigenous host family (private room)
- Three meals a day will be provided
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.
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
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)
- 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