Volunteer with the Indigenous peoples of the Amazon in Guyana. Enjoy an unforgettable experience in a region that remains largely untouched, yet where the need to develop a sustainable economy is becoming increasingly pressing. Cultural immersion here
Sustainable development in a Native American village in Guyana
If you’re keen to have an intercultural experience with an indigenous community in the Amazon, this programme is for you! Our partner Fronteering will place you in a remote village in Guyana (not to be confused with French Guiana :)) where you will help an indigenous community set up sustainable projects. This includes construction work, research into flora and fauna, and the development of ecotourism. Today, local communities are unfortunately dependent on activities harmful to the environment, such as logging and mining. The aim of this programme is to support an Amerindian community in preserving its way of life by developing an economy that does not destroy biodiversity.
In the Amazonian region of Guyana
This project will take you into the heart of the Amazon rainforest in Guyana, where many indigenous communities are fighting to preserve a way of life that is in keeping with their values. Faced with increasing poaching and deforestation, the people of Rewa decided to build an ecolodge to develop ecotourism. That was in 2005. Following a meeting with members of the organisation Fronteering, the Amerindian community decided to call on volunteers to develop various projects: education, tourism…
Volunteers are helping to promote sustainable development
You will help a Makushi indigenous community in the village of Rewa to preserve their way of life whilst developing a sustainable economic activity that benefits biodiversity. Depending on your skills, experience and the needs of the moment, you will be involved in various projects.
Here are some of the tasks you may be asked to carry out:
- Construction of additional accommodation for tourists
- Construction of various buildings and infrastructure to support the Indigenous community.
- Teaching villagers if you have skills in IT, tourism marketing, English or mathematics.
- Development of wildlife and forest trails
- Teaching English and mathematics at school
- Building overnight shelters in the forest
- Construction of shelters for bird and wildlife watching
- Construction of shelters and observation platforms in the treetops
- Support for nursery school
- Organising events for young people
- Marketing support for the ecolodge
The project requires volunteers to commit to 8 hours a day, 6 days a week.
Dates
- All year round, from 2 weeks
- Other durations are available on request
Prices
- 4 weeks: $3,495, or approximately €3,309
- 8 weeks: $4,995, or approximately €4,729
Included in the price
- Investment managed by Fronteering
- Accommodation
- Food
- Airport meet-and-greet
- Domestic flight
- Transfer to the project site (by boat)
- Work permit (required to volunteer in Guyana)
- Support in the event of any issues with your project (provided by Fronteering, which will act as a mediator)
- You can book tours in French Guiana once you have completed your volunteering project (organised by Fronteering).
- 24/7 emergency contact (provided by Fronteering).
Not included in the price
- International flights
- Travel insurance
- Personal expenses
- Experience life in the heart of one of the world’s wildest regions
- Get involved with the Makushi people
- Experience an intercultural immersion
- Protect the Amazon rainforest
- Learn jungle survival techniques
- Help a community preserve its way of life and set up sustainable activities.
- Ages 18 and over
- English (intermediate)
- Experience in teaching, wildlife research or construction would be an advantage.
- A strong work ethic is required: reliability, responsibility, honesty, a good sense of humour and dependability.
- You must be in good physical and mental health.
- Don’t forget to contact your doctor to discuss which vaccinations you need and what treatments you should take.
Accommodation
During your stopover in Georgetown, you will stay in a hotel room (1 night). Once in the rainforest, you will share a village house and sleep in hammocks!
Food
During your stay in Georgetown, meals are not included, whereas in the jungle, meals will be provided. Every project member will be involved in preparing the meals.
Arrival
A member of the project team will meet you at Georgetown Airport and take you to your hotel, where you will spend the night. The following morning, you will be picked up from the hotel and taken to the domestic airport. You will take a domestic flight to Rockview (a small plane). You will then be picked up by a 4×4 vehicle from the airstrip and taken to the jetty for your final transfer to the project by boat. You will travel by boat along a river for 3 hours, arriving at the project in the village of Rewa.
The venue
The Amerindian community is located in one of the best-preserved regions in the world. It is home to around 200 species of mammals, 500 species of birds, 420 species of fish and 150 species of amphibians. Nearly 30% of the mammals are listed under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES).
Tous les avis sur les missions de Fronteering
About the partner organisation
Our partner is a Canadian organisation founded in 2010, specialising in overseas volunteering projects aimed at preserving the environment, wildlife and indigenous communities. It offers placements all over the world, but thanks to its Canadian base, it provides numerous experiences with a positive impact in North America. It also focuses on the least-visited places on the planet. Places that still boast rich biodiversity and where you can immerse yourself in a world that remains wild. Our partner strives to offer volunteering experiences off the beaten track. Adventure awaits!
