Language: you are not required to speak a specific language, however the family only speaks spanish, Kichwa, and Shuar.
The work at Chinimp Tuna focuses on helping a native Kichwa and Shuar family who wishes to maintain its culture and traditions. Chinimp Tuna will give the volunteer the opportunity to observe and learn to recognize a large variety of medicinal plants, jungle animals, and several bird species, including swallows, parrots, raptors etc. You will also have an extraordinary opportunity to learn of the Shuar and Kichwa culture and history while enjoying the amazing landscape and waterfalls of the Amazon Rainforest!!
You live and work along side of the Chumapi – Shiguango family, which includes the father, a native Shuar, his wife who is a native Kichwa and their 9 children. Projects are initiated by the family members and by the volunteers. The work tasks depend partly on what needs to be done; on Saturdays, for example, papayas and bananas are collected to be sold in the market on Sunday. There are a variety of projects currently developing that volunteers can participate in.
WORKING WITH WOMEN: The women of the community make ceramic handicrafts, very typical of the native culture. The volunteers can also educate the women about nutritional and health issues as well as help them sow and produce more vegetables.
SCHOOL: During the school year, volunteers can teach the children in subjects such as mathematics, science and English. Another way to participate is to teach new things like games and other extracurricular activities, and encourage the love of learning in general.
GENERAL WORK: Volunteers will have the opportunity to learn a lot about the Shuar and Kichwa cultures, including the languages, typical food, harpoon fishing, legends, medicinal plants, and many other things. Each volunteer will be able to go to the jungle to observe plants, fruits, animals, rivers and the waterfall of Chinimp Tuna (in Shuar: "Swallows of the Waterfall") from which the project has taken its name.
OTHER OPTIONS: If the volunteer has knowledge or experience in other areas apart from those mentioned above, it is possible to plan and realize a new educational community project in the chosen field.
LENGTH: 2 weeks or more
