Description: The Shiwiar people belong to the same cultural and linguistic tradition as the Achuar and Shuar. Their territory is one of the most pristine and isolated places in the Amazon basin, located near the Peruvian border and accessible only by air. The primary forest is blessed with remarkable levels of biodiversity. Their population of seven hundred is scattered around nine different villages within the area. There have been few intrusions into their territory and they 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. What makes this 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. They are completely self-managed and locally owned. You will not be invading or disrupting their culture but helping to preserve it. This project offers you a wonderful opportunity to experience the jungle as it is, but more importantly to give something back to a community.
They would like volunteers to help with many tasks including:
- - Teaching English to their local tribe
- - Helping on guided tours (translation etc)
- - Medial tasks
- - Hosting tourists
- - Accountancy
- - Construction
- - First aid (qualifications needed)
- - Research opportunities
- - Tourism
- - Flora and Fauna studies
- - Community tourism
- - Community development
- - Ecologycal Aviation Project.
- -Web master.
Organization: BUGYU TOURS / Ikiam Expedition and Conservation Program
Address: Amazon basin, Ecuador
Project Location: Amazon basin, located near the Peruvian border
Contact: Ing. Pascual Kunchicuy
Email: shiwiarfund@hotmail.com; ikiamp21@hotmail.com
Website: www.ikiam.info
Phone: (593) 88 29 76 77
Fax: (5932) 886-109
Languages: English, Spanish and Franch
Who can volunteer? Adults of both sexes
Commitment: 1 month or 6 months.
Cost: US$12 per day for food and accommodation.
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