The Aldeas de Paz Concept
Our Vision
Our Mission
Registered NGO
In 2001 the foundation became legally registered as the NGO Fundación Aldeas de Paz. Since then it has received international volunteers who now run and finance its programs. The idea of a self-financed and run foundation is one with great potential for promoting volunteerism, humanitarian service, and cross-cultural exchanges all over the world.
How we are financed
The most fundamental point to the Aldeas de Paz - Peace Villages Concept is that it is a Non-Profit Franchise financed by a Rotational Credit which was initially granted by its founder who in fact financed Aldeas de Paz - Peace Villages until 2006 primarily from his own personal life-savings. This was paid out in the form of a rotational credit and complemented by a small monthly donation from local, private sector donors. [+] read more
What Makes Us Different
Our focus: Individual Empowerment
We focus on small communites, individuals within these communities, and the personal growth of volunteers into future leaders. We grow change from there. Our focus is to supply information and resources for each volunteer to create transformative experiences in themselves and in the progrmas where they choose to focus their energy. This leaves both the volunteer and beneficiary with tools to drive change in their futures.
Our Volunteers
Aldeas de Paz is operated by long and short-term volunteers from both Venezuela and overseas. Our Volunteers are of all ages, races and nationalities. Volunteering with us is a great opportunity to work side by side with locals, learn new skills, study Spanish and immerse oneself in the Latin and indigenous culture. We generally host between 5 and 12 volunteers at any given time throughout the year. We enjoy a great community atmosphere at our cooperative living residents in a spectacular natural setting.
What makes Aldeas de Paz unique?
What is crucial to the success of our organization is that it be very malleable, serving the interests of both the community in which it exists and the volunteers who help to form and run it. Aldeas de Paz has a horizontal management structure and has focused on transparency. This is to say anyone who comes to volunteer has a right to propose new programs, look into the financial records/data of the Foundation, and help inform the overall direction of Aldeas de Paz. ADP is not affiliated with any religious, governmental, corporate or other outside structures.
This feeling of working together, inventing projects together, having influence in future decisions, all in all a very horizontal structure......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
ADP locations must be careful to only work on a very manageable scale in local programs which do not require large amounts of capital to run. Aldeas de Paz depends on people who are open to organizational change and horizontal leadership. Individuals must be committed to the concept of Aldeas de Paz - Peace Villages and willing to invest themselves completely in their work. If these people can continue to be found, it is entirely possible that Aldeas de Paz - Peace Villages sites could spring up all around the globe.
I leave with the conviction that I want to do more, see more, and learn more. This has been a jump start for me.
˜ Adam Ley-Lange / Edinburgh, Scotland
Our Future
Our next step in the overall plan is to produce a new location in South America. Aldeas de Paz - Peace Villages Santa Elena is now self-sustainable, and the initial rotational credit will go toward the creation of a second Peace Villages location, and so on, indefinitely (i.e. once one location is developed and able to pay off all program and volunteers costs, the initial investments can be gradually invested in the creation of a new Peace Villages location elsewhere in the world). This idea is based on the success of micro credit programs, which are able to give out loans to new borrowers using the profit generated through collecting interest from original small loans. Such programs can often become fully self-sustainable mediums of community development.
Permanent Residence
One of the keys for the ADP Concept to continue to function and grow will be finding committed and highly motivated volunteer staff. These individuals work full-time and in return recieve a monthly stipend, room and board. Volunteer staff can be attracted by a number of factors, including grassroots development, creative freedom, the desire to put professional skills to work in the Non-Profit sector, and an interest in promoting a “Culture of Peace.” [+] read more