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Live with the Shiwiars

Placement number: 0077
Location: Ecuador
Preferred Languages: English or Spanish
Date: All year (programme starts in July 2006)
Minimum Period : 1 month

We are the Shiwiar people, enclosed by the Amazon jungle, living on the Pastaza river. We belong to the same cultural and linguistic tradition as the Achuar and Shuar. Our territory is one of the most pristine and isolated places in the Amazon basin, located near the Peruvian border and accessible only by air. Our primary forest is blessed with remarkable levels of biodiversity. Our population of seven hundred is scattered around nine different villages within the area. There have been few intrusions into our territory and we have only recently made contact with the western world (because of the Peruvian war in 1941).

This is your chance to discover an unspoilt region of the Amazon rainforest, to really leave the beaten track behind and to immerse yourself in a culture that belongs to the forest. You can experience the incredible biodiversity of the area, and find real warmth without luxuries. But this is an opportunity offered by a variety of agencies. What makes our project different is that it offers you the rare opportunity to escape the false "ecotourism" trap, where community events are staged and the business is own by foreigners, channelling profits into their businesses not back into local hands. But not here. We are completely self-managed and locally owned. You will not be invading or disrupting our culture but helping to preserve it. Our expedition offers you a wonderful opportunity to experience the jungle as it is, but more importantly to give something back to a community.

Role of Volunteer

We would like volunteers to help with many tasks including

• Teaching English to our local tribe
• Helping on guided tours (translation etc)
• Medial tasks
• Hosting turists
• Accountancy
• Construction
• First aid (qualifications needed)

Research Opportunities

Tourism
Fauna studies
Flora studies
Community tourism
Community involvement

Cost

USD10 per day this pays for food and accommodation.

Travel

Unknown

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