Check out the program: http://www.jatunsacha.org/texto1.phpid_submenu1=1&id_menu=3&id_submenu2=4
[mi]
Dear Volunteer Coordinators...I feel called to learn about and support the earth’s life-giving systems, and to connect in meaningful ways and serve our world neighbors and their life practices... I live in the Pacific Northwest, and participate in small projects such as recycling, composting and have helped to tree plant, and I make selections as a consumer in supporting organizations and practices that reflect my values and support our communities and earth. I have traveled, lived and volunteered abroad in developing countries - there I experienced sustainability as truly necessary and a natural part of life for all groups of people, especially those most underserved.... I believe that all people, animals of the sea, air and land, and different ecosystems are all interconnected.... I want to learn more about the individual aspects of the interconnectedness of our world, and believe a good place to start is in South America, which has a grand part in our earth’s present and future sustainability. I am applying to Jatun Sacha with an open mind and heart, ready to learn about the history and present state of the native earth and people, to fully contribute to the restoration and reconstruction projects and to the care and upkeep of the station, and to fully engage with the Jatun Sacha volunteer community and with the people and greater culture where I arrive.... If accepted, my time with Fundacion Jatun Sacha will be the first part of a greater journey around the world, and I come with openness and hope that it will become the foundation upon which to continue shaping my education of our earth’s ecosystems and about sustainable practices, and how all of us can best direct our lives toward its service.... Peace, Miral
[iv]
Dear Volunteer Coordinators...I have been practicing clinical psychology in the United States for about ten years, primarily working with youth who have become involved in the juvenile justice system. I love the work that I have done. But I also find myself at somewhat of a crossroads – a point in time in which I feel that I can take my professional and personal life in a number of different directions in my efforts to create a life of compassionate contribution to this world. I have decided to take a year away from my job and my typical life in the United States to travel the world, meet people with a diversity of life experiences, and gain new insights and skills. Every time I have engaged in international travel in the past, I have experienced immeasurable personal growth – and I think this year of travel will do that and provide renewed life direction. This is a period of pause and creative exploration for me, so that I can renew my commitment to this world in new and beneficial ways.
It is within that context that I am applying to volunteer with you. Part of the attraction is to gain greater skills in natural conservation. For most of my life, I have directed my social action to humanitarian activities – helping people directly. Yet, I have lived my life with environmental conservation at heart – maintaining a vegetarian diet, eating organically and locally farmed foods whenever possible, embracing recycling and re-use of products, driving a hybrid car, and supporting local, state, and national parks monetarily and through using them for hiking, kayaking and mountain climbing. I have a deep appreciation of and love for animals and for nature (especially trees and mountains) – in many ways, I count them among my spiritual teachers. But I have not yet had an opportunity to develop my skills to engage in specific conservation activities. This is something I very much want to do and the opportunity to learn while I am also giving back through the opportunities you provide is ideal.
I am particularly attracted to volunteering in South America because I have studied Spanish, I have friends currently living there (Colombia) and friends and family-members who have lived there in the past, and I have traveled in Peru myself and found great beauty in the people I met and natural terrain I traveled through there. I would really welcome the chance to spend more time in South America volunteering, and your program seems to be exactly what I am looking for.
I am most interested in volunteering at San Cristobal Station but am also very interested in La Hesperia Station....We really look forward to hearing from you to further explore our interest in working with you all. Thank you for considering our applications.
Ivan
