Panama. Experience Abroad Program

Transcription

1 Panama Experience Abroad Program 1

2 What is ECOFARMS Panama? ECOFARMS Panama (EF) is a grassroots educational and developmental platform that brings together students, professionals, and outdoor enthusiasts. Working together with the community, we strive to improve both the quality of life of local people and the overall health of the environment in the Mamoni River by developing and implementing responsible farming and conservation techniques. What does EF hope to accomplish? In addition to environmental goals, EF is dedicated to improving the lives of local farmers (campesinos) through education while striving to protect a traditional Panamanian way of life. The future of the rainforest in the Mamoni River area depends on everyone working together towards a common goal, and the future of the area s inhabitants depends on the health of the land. We are striving to create a healthy and productive ecosystem in the Mamoni River valley that promotes responsible environmental practices while incorporating Panamanian traditions and the needs of the local community. With the help of motivated interns and volunteers, we hope to bring together knowledge and experience from around the world to address important environmental issues confronting the Mamoni River. In dealing with these issues, we hope to provide a unique learning environment where students are encouraged to provide insight and ideas to meet the challenges confronting EF and, indeed, the world. 2

3 What can I expect from an internship with EF? Hands-on Experience and Workshops During your stay you will have plenty of opportunities to learn by doing. You will be able to dig in the dirt in our vegetable garden, explore the surrounding rainforest, learn about the local flora and fauna, talk and collaborate with local farmers, pitch-in with the construction of new facilities, learn about tropical forestry, and assist visiting researchers with their studies at the MaBiC. Make sure to ask our team if a certain project is especially appealing to you and we will work to find a good balance between your area of interest and our projects. Community Outreach Community involvement is the key for the long-term sustainability of ECOFARMS Panama and its goals. Real, lasting change comes from within, and a comprehensive approach to education is needed to spread awareness and enhance understanding of the issues confronting the rainforest in the Mamoni River. All interns will be able to work with local farmers. Depending on your program and the term, the community outreach component may include educational programs in the school of Las Margaritas and/or programs for other farmers and families in the region. A Stimulating Learning and Working Environment Students come to ECOFARMS from different universities, countries and backgrounds to work together towards a common goal. Each person s ideas, knowledge, and experiences come together to create a truly unique learning environment where everyone s skills are valued and collaboration is essential to accomplish goals. As any employer will tell you, being able to work together with your peers outside of a traditional classroom is an invaluable skill for a modern professional. 3

4 Dates Applications open from January 2015 to June 2015 Program Fees: $480 / 4 weeks Minimum stay: 2 months *With proper notice, we are able to arrange special payment methods. Includes: Meal Plan: 3 meals a day, 5 days a week. Our Intern s crew gets together, preparing delicious vegetarian dishes. International and Panamanian options available. Transportation: Panama City - ECOFARMS Panama / ECOFARMS Panama - Panama City. Our Journey will start in the city, and it will end with an exciting 1 hour off road trip through the hilly roads of Gaspar Sabanas Valley. Only 4x4, modified vehicles can enter our remote jungle camp. Accommodation: Rustic but comfortable cabins, surrounded by tropical rainforest and the Mamoni river. Our gatherings will take place at El Tamarindo Lodge, fitted with indoor shower and toilet, a spacious kitchen and lots of hammocks for relaxing Tropical exploration tour to El Roble Reserve Project Materials 4

5 Important Information * ECOFARMS Panama is unable to provide insurance to their volunteers at this time. Every volunteer must bring along his/her own insurance. A signed waiver is also required for every volunteer before we enter the project site. * Costs incurred from recreational trips to Panama City are not included (i.e. bus fare, lodging in the city, dining out, etc.). However, we are happy to help you organize local transportation to Panama City as well as provide information on activities in the surrounding area. * Transportation to and from EF is included in the fee, however we can provide it only on certain days. Check with our staff before making flight reservations. * ECOFARMS Panama is a young grassroot project that relies on support from volunteers to implement their ideas. The project is in an early development stage and as facilities expand, there is likely to be some construction happening during your stay. We ask that you remain open-minded regarding management during these times, as much of the work is shared with locals. *At our facilities, we work hard to provide safe, comfortable, and sanitary conditions for our guests. However, we remind our applicants the facilities are simple and the surroundings rustic. During the rainy season (July-December), the road to the center can become muddy enough that driving is not possible, and some walking could be necessary. 5

6 Frequently Asked Questions 1. Can I get credits from my University? Some Universities allow their students to complete a semester abroad and give the possibility to get credits, while also gaining valuable work experience. Check first with your educational institution and we are happy to provide all necessary documentation to make this possible. 2. How does a normal day at ECOFARMS Panama looks like? Our days start with the sounds of monkeys and chickens running around the cabins. We all get together and prepare breakfast and get ready for our workday. We start working at 8:00 am and have a break between noon and 2 pm. After our siesta we continue working and finish around 5 pm. There are plenty of possibilities to enjoy your after work time. For example swimming in the river, some hiking around the Valley or just relaxing in the hammocks. Days can vary depending on the group, time of year and special micro-projects. 3. What is the fee used for? EF panama s fee is used to pay for infrastructure maintenance, organization s vehicles and administrative costs associated to the organization. We also use the fee to expand facilities and support student s micro-projects. 4. Does ECOFARMS Panama provide scholarships to students? Sadly at the moment this is not possible. However some of our students apply for grants, scholarship from their educational institution or create funding campaigns to help pay the cost of their internship. 5. How does the micro-project system work? The idea behind the micro-project program is to give students the possibility to bring their own sets of skills and knowledge to develop a project that will solve a need for ECOFARMS Panama or the region. Each student is allowed to present his or her ideas, and we will value each project based on budget and priority level. 6

7 How to apply? Every applicant must submit a copy of our application form to the following address: volunteer@ecofarmspanama.org After we have reviewed your information, a member of our staff will notify you by regarding the status of your application. The final step in the application process will be an interview conducted by phone or through Skype. Carola Paul Conservation and Tropical Restoration Fernando Lopez Director & Co-Founder 7

8 ECOFARMS PANAMA COME JOIN US! 8