If you are ready to jump feet first into the Peace Villages experience, here are some specifics to consider before arriving in Venezuela.

Is Volunteer for Venezuela a good fit for me?

Here are some good questions to ask yourself to decide if our charity is the right organization for you

Am I open to personal growth?

Volunteering with us may bring you into unfamiliar territory. This is part of the beauty of volunteering and living in another country. You must be ready to experience challenges. These may come in the form of cultural or personal differences. You must be able to see the beauty in these differences, as well as the opportunities for change that they present. Volunteers who come to us with an open mind and heart tend to benefit the most from this unique experience. Also, don't doubt that whatever difficulties arise, you will always have the support of your fellow volunteers and staff!

Am I serious about volunteering?

Before joining us, we ask you to evaluate why you want to volunteer. This requires that each person work not because s/he is seeking outside recognition, but rather because s/he has some belief in the cause and enjoys the cross-cultural experience. Whether you decide to take part in Cooperative Living or feel that the Independent Accommodation option best suits your requirements, we would ask you to remain focused on the voluntary work that you commit to each week. Being in a new and exotic place, with friends to make, parties to attend and places to explore is an important part of the experience. We just ask that volunteering be your number one priority while you are with us.

Am I reliable? Do I keep my commitments?

Our programs rely heavily on the work of each volunteer it is essential to have people willing to keep their commitments. Each volunteer will determine a personal work schedule. This is always catered to each person's interests, and is very flexible. However, once this schedule is set, it is essential that each volunteer be committed to fulfilling his/her responsibilities. Our programs are very dependent on the work of volunteers. An inability to keep commitments can create difficulties for fellow volunteers as well as the children. Volunteers decide how many hours they want to work. We recommend a minimum of 3 hours daily for 4 days a week. You may work as much as 5 days and as many hours you wish. We emphasize that we focus on excellence and not on quantity!

Is partying a priority for me?

In Venezuela, there is always a rumba nearby. Parties are everywhere and every day, and this celebratory culture is something that every tourist can appreciate. Unfortunately, the rumbas are often accompanied by serious social problems. Alcoholism is prominent in South America, and alcohol-related violence (domestic violence in particular) is very common. Families are torn apart all the time because of substance abuse, and many of the children we work with are victims of this problem.

We try to create a sensible community where this isn't an issue. This is not to say that volunteers can't have a good time at the house or in Santa Elena. We simply ask that all be conscious of our image in the community and act accordingly. Through past experiences, we have found that not allowing people to get drunk on foundations grounds is the best way to ensure the quality of our work/cooperative living environment.

Am I independent? Do I take initiative?

Our Foundation is building towards its long-term goal of being a multi-faceted Therapy Center. The Foundation is still very flexible in many areas. While this is hard for some people, for others it is a great opportunity to be innovative. While we have our established programs, there are plenty of other opportunities to explore. All volunteers are invited to do this! We take your suggestions seriously.

Am I flexible?

In Venezuela, nothing is for sure. If you are coming from a more industrialized country, you may be used to the conveniences and reliability that consumer culture provides. Here in Venezuela, however, things may take a little longer, and be less reliable. In order to have a positive experience here, it will be necessary to accept these uncertainties.

If you choose to live cooperatively, we would like to remind you that flexibility is a necessary quality to have. With volunteers coming and going all the time, decisions that are made are always a reflection of the particular group present at that time. There are bound to be personality differences and a capacity to manage these differences is very important.

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Do we have any religious affiliations?

No. We are an open and supportive environment concerned with the promotion of respect for people from all backgrounds. We do not have any affiliations with any religious, governmental, corporate or other interests.

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Funding

We are a non-profit organization and rely entirely on volunteer investments to finance our programs. Our charity does not receive funding from religious, corporate or government agencies. We are totally driven by long & short-term volunteer efforts. Again, we therefore can keep volunteer costs to a minimum spending less of the money on overheads.

Our funds are dedicated to the financing of our programs and to the building of our Therapy Center (see our Spending page for details). It is also spent on expenses directly related to hosting and supervising our volunteers and to providing all necessary services to them.

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Why should I pay to volunteer?

By volunteering with an established organization you can be reassured that you will be volunteering with a project that needs your help. As we do not receive funding from any government agencies, religious, or corporate groups, the money that you pay is what finances the Foundation´s humanitarian and development programs. Unfortunately, we do not therefore have the resources to pay for people's time, or subsidize travel costs (and if we did, then naturally it would be more cost-effective to employ local people).

We are a verified charity and unlike many volunteer programs, we are a non-profit organization. The vast majority of our volunteers apply directly through our website, therefore allowing us to keep volunteer costs to a minimum. Click here for a full breakdown of how your volunteer donations are spent.

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Do I need to pay any costs in advance?

Once we have agreed with you the details of your placement you receive a confirmation. The written confirmation includes a financial schedule which sets out the details of the calculated volunteer donation and the 50% deposit to fully secure your placement, due within two weeks of receipt of the financial schedule. The remaining payment should be transferred to the  Foundation account before arrival or paid on arrival in Santa Elena but can also be paid directly together with the deposit or through monthly installments previous to your arrival.

Once we receive your deposit we will be able to make commitments with beneficiaries and suppliers and start preparing for your volunteer placement and secure your accommodation arrangement ahead of your arrival. Due to the fact that we are a small community-based charity with very limited resources we need the donation deposit to cover certain costs prior to your arrival. See Terms and Conditions for further details.

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How much money should I plan to spend in Venezuela?

The national currency of Venezuela is the Bolivar Fuente (BsF). Normal personal daily expenses (excluding accommodation) range between US$3 and US$6. If you are interested in eating in restaurants or going out on weekends, these costs will obviously be higher.

There are also many interesting natural places to visit in Venezuela. There are ample opportunities to explore the mountains, beaches, and jungles. These of course will cost extra. See our Adventure Tours section for more details.

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How can I communicate with my family while in Venezuela?

There are many options available for you to maintain contact with your family. There are Internet cafes throughout the town (the cost for one hour is usually 80 cents to $1). There are a number of long distance calling centers in the town (e.g. cost to Europe or the USA approx US $0.35 per minute). You can also purchase phone cards or use an international operator to call internationally.

If you are planning on receiving packages while you are here, please be advised that it takes about a month to ship from North America to Venezuela. Personal items and items for the children can be sent to the following address:

Your Name C/O Fundación Aldeas de Paz
POST RESTANTE
Av. Brazil, 275 Centro Pacaraima; Roraima;
CEP 69345 000 Brazil

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Will I need a Visa?

A visa is not generally required if you are going to be in Venezuela for less than 90 days. Volunteers from the UK, USA, Switzerland, France, Canada, Australia, Holland, Scandinavian Countries etc. DO NOT need a visa for that length of stay. On arrival at Caracas airport, you will get a three months tourist visa free of charge. If you are staying for longer than 90 days, this can be extended at the nearby Brazilian border (15 min. taxi ride). Note that US, Canadian, Australian and some other citizens must pay for a visa if they go to Brazil. For more information we recommend checking with your local Embassy before you depart.

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How could I make the most of the experience?

Try not to come with too many expectations. Recognize that you won't leave feeling as though you've saved the world. It is good to have a provisional preference of the programs you want to participate in. Nevertheless, flexibility is appreciated. Due to the changing needs of our beneficiaries, and available resources, programs may change. Give 100% in all you do.

Volunteers who put the most in definitely get the most out! Take advantage of the opportunities open to you. You may never have opportunities like these again, so take advantage! At your volunteer work place show your dedication. Be open to trying new things and learning new skills. Finally, come with a sense of humor and of patience.

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