WANTED: independent, entrepreneurial and
adventurous people to join us in the jungle!
----- FALL 2010 PROGRAMMING BEGINS OCTOBER 5th!-----
Invitation for Volunteers:
With Runa’s
unique combination of environmental, social, and business aspects in its work,
volunteers receive a unique opportunity to participate in the growth of a
budding social enterprise. The focus of the
volunteer program is working on Runa’s new Conservation, Training, and Research
Center outside of Puyo, Ecuador.
Volunteers will work primarily in our diverse nurseries of organically
managed tree and fruit species, and assist our technicians and engineers in the
creation and maintenance of organic agroforestry plots. All volunteers also partner with our field
technicians to visit individual family farms, participate in cultural exchange
events and guayusa tea ceremonies, and have the opportunity to develop their
own research projects.
Qualifications:
- Basic Spanish required (although Intermediate to Advanced level of
Spanish is highly recommended)
- Independent, entrepreneurial spirit
- Good health and physical fitness (due to level of outdoor work)
- Interest in Ecuadorian indigenous culture, agroforestry, sustainable
development, and / or organic gardening
Accommodations & Food
Runa’s research station has a newly renovated home
for volunteers, with the capacity for six people, including a live-in volunteer
coordinator. The house has indoor cold showers, and well maintained composting
toilets.
Lunch and dinner will be provided daily by a local
mother who lives on the property with her husband, who serves as a 24-hour
guard and groundskeeper. Granola, eggs,
and other breakfast foods are available in the volunteer house for
self-service.
Planning & Coordination
A Quito-based volunteer coordinator provides trip
coordination, including airport pickup, and an on-site American volunteer
coordinator lives on the research site full time and coordinates all volunteer
activities.
The Research Center in Fatima is conveniently
located off of a major interprovincial bus route and is a convenient 30 minutes
away from Puyo, the capital of the province of Pastaza.
Cost
$100 per week (includes 3 meals per day M - F, program
coordination, housing, and pre and post trip support).
For volunteers with higher levels of Spanish,
relevant background experience, and who are willing to stay for at least 2
months, discount payment structures can be offered.
Duration
Volunteers are welcome to stay for a minimum of one
week and as long as six months. Small groups are welcome as well.
INVITATION FOR INTERNS:
For students and
professionals with technical skills in agroforestry
management, carpentry, plant-biology research or other applied fields,
special
discounted long-term arrangements can be made. Research and Development
internships can also be based out of our house-office in Archidona,
Ecuador. This slighlty more urban jungle site is more suited for interns
with specific skills in strategitic planning, organizational management
and cultural research. Internships are arranged on an individual basis
by contacting our volunteer coordinator. Interns are expected to be
exceptionally independent self-starters who will propose and execute
their own projects according to Runa's needs. 2 months is the minimum
suggested duration for an internship.
Questions contact: volunteer@runa.org
Please apply at
least 2 months in advance of desired dates.
TO APPLY:
Email volunteer@runa.org with the following materials:
1. Brief letter of introduction
2. Volunteer Application (click here to download)
3. Current Resume or Curriculum Vitae
