Fundación Aldeas de Paz    Venezuela - Brazil

Art, Culture & Nature

Cultural and Social movement in "El Pauji" Eco- village

This assignment places you in the middle of a cultural and social movement in the remote Eco-village of "El Paují", located at the heart of the beautiful Gran Sabana National park in the southeastern border region with Brazil and Guayana. The village  has about 300 inhabitants of mixed ethnic backgrounds and is located at an altitude of 900m - 1000m (3000f - 3250f) with a nearly perfect climate (16°C / 45°F - 28°C / 79°F all year round)  The settlement was found only 50 years ago when it was the rest-point for the workers clearing the 150-kilometre road from Santa Elena de Uairen to Ikabaru. The founding population were miners and the Pemon indigenous people, who had always lived in this exceptional beautiful region. The village is surrounded by breathtaking Nature: rivers, waterfalls, virgin forests and the wide open spaces of the savannah with its rich flora and fauna. The eco-village El Paují is recognized for its enthusiasm, integrative civil action, participation in school and ecological consciousness that have made it attractive to the visitor. The community is a great example of what can be achieved in the back of beyond, with little or no government assistance. At first, El Paují may seem like any other village in the Latin American outback. It has a few shops, a few houses, and the obligatory stray dog and furtive chicken. It's only when you're fortunate to spend more time there, that you realize it's much more than that.

Share daily life in an exiting Eco-village

In the 70s, people from 'Outside' started to arrive. They were mostly young urban couples seeking some peace and tranquility, and a more natural environment in which to bring up their children. Many were architects, artists and creative types with a different vision of the world and spirituality. The new "alternative" settlers changed the character of the village forever. They have established a school (kindergarden, primary and secondary) where Pemon and non-indigenous children sit side by side; a health clinic and rescue service; civil, cultural and environmental associations; and a renowned dance center. El Pauji is now home to artists, artisans, honey makers, architects, philosophers and ecological orientated farmers and their families. Some young families have achieved a relative self-sustained living by producing their own organic vegetable, goat cheese and fruits and completing their modest monthly budget by producing and selling cottage industry products such as incense, craft and jewelry, pottery and natural cosmetics all made from local materials such as semi-precious stones, gold, tree-resins, honey, beautifully colored clay and seeds/wood for sculpturing and jewelry.

Artists and conservationists are leading this program

The nationally renown artist Cynthia Gamboa, since more than 20 years inhabitant of El Paují, and her friend Uta will be running this program and are your project coordinators and hosts. They are great artists and friends. They are respected in the community for their civil initiative and communal spirit. Cynthia has been the driving force behind the "Cultural Center" and regular art and cultural events for many years. While working side by side with Cynthia together and local and international volunteers you are making new friends and learn a lot about art and conservation. Part of the day will be ddicated to cultural exchange activities and visits to the breathtaking surroundings of El Pauji.

Art, culture and environmental conservation

To confront deforestation that has become a big problem in the region, Cynthia has created the "Intraterrestres": This important art project aims to promote conservational consciousness raising activities through the arts while at the same time gaining support for an important reforestation program around the village. The "Intraterrestres" are painted roots which are transformed in works of art, that through selling gain a useful function as the buyer adopts a tree that is planted near the river Esmeralda, a reforestation project area nearby. Using art as a tool for reforestation has converted the "Intraterrestres" into a movement of environmental and cultural character, named "Movimiento Intraterrestre".

"Sow - that's the only way to live!" 

That's the message of the project. The objective is reforestation and protection of the whole region through art and voluntary work: Planting and maintaining 3000 trees. The movement supports communal projects like “Desarrollo de Horticultura y Lombricultura Manos Orgánicas” (Development of organic gardening) and organizes cultural events with the volunteers. We would like to create consciousness and values through living together and through direct contact with nature. Our emphasis is based on mutual respect and on giving your best in order to share a real good time together.

Practicalities

You can spend the complete duration of your volunteer placement in "El Pauji" if you wish but you may also consider spending some time in "El Pauji" and some time volunteering with one or more of our other programs in Santa Elena while living at the foundations cooperative loving residents on our grounds.
Amenities in "El Pauji" are basic. There is electricity for only 5(ish) hours a day when a generator is run. A radio in "El Pauji" can call in to the City Hall in Santa Elena any time if it is necessary. There is an excellent wireless internet connection in the village! The climate is very comfortable with tipical temperates between 20and 30  Transport: Collective Jeep-Taxis go daily between Santa Elena and El Pauji. (One-way USD 10)  

Accommodation & Full Board:

Volunteers will be staying with local host families in simple rooms. Three meals per day are provided. Two meals are eaten with the host family, the third meal will be offered on the program site together with fellow participants. Your project host and some locals speak English. The indigenous Pemon people speak Spanish and their indigenous mother language Taurepan. Volunteers can choose to sleep in either hammocks or beds.

Activities can include:

The working plan is simple and is divided in two parts. In the morning we dedicate to sowing and reforestation in the afternoon to art, culture and social exchange. The planning of activities will be done together as a team.

Environmental activities can include:

• Gardening side by side with villagers using indigenous techniques
• Collecting seeds of trees belonging to the region for reforestation and agro forestation
• Preparing tree nurseries and caring for seedlings
• Plant trees
• Counting and marking planted trees
• Clean up and fertilizing the plantation
• Editing maps and documentations of the reforestation project
• Environmental education for school children
• Support of the eco-farm "Weimuré" planting Moriches (endemic palm tree)
• Daily house, kitchen and garden activities side by side with family members and neighbors
  
• Recreational and creative activities with kids, adolescents and school children
  
• Teaching English to Pemón tour guides and school children
  
• Building and maintenance work on communal infrastructure
  
• Initiating an environmental education program and exchanging knowledge of the rainforest and savannah habitat (Spanish required)

Art & Culture activities can include:

• Taking the tale of the "Intraterrestres" as inspiration for artistic action like drawing, painting, sculpturing, poetry, music, video, theatre etc.
• We will organize jam sessions.
• We show the works of art to the community through expositions and presentations.
• Support of the communal project Manos Orgánicas Share artistic activities with the community
• Support of the "Committee de mujeres de conservación y reforestación Worüsan" (Womens committee of conservation and reforestation Worüsan - This project belongs to the national governments plan Misión Árbol)
• Study trips visiting a "conuco" (traditional indigenous vegetable garden in the forest)
• Trip to the jungle and excursion to the abysm (the impressive view from the edge of a high plateau overlooking the Amazonian jungles from 1000m above sea level)

Requirements:

No previous experience or special skills are required, but participants need to be enthusiastic, willing to learn, ready for a challenge and have a desire to Curiosity to share a different culture in a community. Friendliness, care, commitment and patience are among important qualities. Be prepared to share a basic and simple lifestyle, without regular electricity or telephone. (However, there is a very good wireless internet connection) You do not necessarily need to speak fluent Spanish to be involved, however basic Spanish is very useful. Volunteers with experience in art and/or conservation are strongly encouraged to apply. Creativity and enthusiasm go a long way! A typical volunteer with this program comes without a lot of previous experience but has a number of ideas and enthusiasm, takes initiative and dedicates a lot of caring and passion to the work.

Availability:

Ongoing throughout the whole year.
 

   Photos     Cost

Fundación Aldeas de Paz
Lomas de Piedra Canaima via Sampai, Santa Elena de Uairén,
La Gran Sabana, Estado Bolívar, Venezuela
Phone: 0058 - 289 - 4160718  Email: info@aldeasdepaz.org
We are a registered charity: RIF J-30872287-1 (Vz)    
 

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Fundación Aldeas de Paz
 

last update: 04/01/2010