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INFORMATION FOR VOLUNTEERS |
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CONDITIONS FOR PARTICIPATION
These projects are founded on twin ideals. The projects work on shoe string budgets in communities that are often without resources. Under these conditions it is important that participants, for want of a better word than volunteer, must operate in the spirit of the projects when establishing this partnership of interests.
What does this mean?!
Respect for culture. The project expect that all participants show absolute respect at all levels to the local communities in which we operate.
On a day to day level this means the following: Accomplishment of project objectives is your responsibility. You do the best you can under the conditions that present themselves to you. You can do no more and no less. These projects are not suitable for either Mr Angry or Miss Whinge!
DETAILS OF PARTICIPATION DONATION: 95 pounds is required to fund the research programme. Simple accommodation and half board is provided free of charge as well as supply of a personal Technical Training Manual. The Guide is laminated and includes information in five languages, ( Spanish, English, French, German and Italian), on the main species visited including A4 colour photographs; details on Tenerife including stylised physical map; behaviour interpretation; key cetacean vocabulary; the importance of whale watching; conservation issues; the code of conduct; photo-identification work and results including Whale Identi-Cards for each key individual visited and for each family identified; details on research projects and on boat handling- the good and the bad; worked commentaries. PRACTICAL INFORMATION.
CLOTHING AND KIT.
TRANSFERS. We will be collecting people from both airports throughout the day on arrival dates. We must be advised in writing/ fax of arrival details so that we can try to tie in your transfer with our scheduled pick-ups. Arrival information can be sent/ faxed to either London or Tenerife. In the unlikely event that there is no one at the airport to greet you, telephone the Arafo office from the airport, (510535) for information. If for whatever reason you decide to make your own way, take the bus toward Santa Cruz and get off at the 'Arafo' motorway exit. A local bus will take you up the hill, about two km to La Hidalga. If you do this, and we were expecting to collect you, it is important that you inform the office! LUGGAGE. The baggage allowance on flights is usually 20kgs. per person, plus hand luggage. HEALTH and INSURANCE.
No vaccinations are required for Tenerife. We recommend that you are protected by immunisation against tetanus - if you were immunised as a child, you may need a booster. If not, you will need a full course of three injections, please check with your GP. EC nationals are entitled to reciprocal medical treatment and benefits in Tenerife by obtaining and completing an E111 form your post office. This is free and all project participants must be covered by this or, alternatively, by an alternative comprehensive medical insurance. Personal possessions should be covered by insurance. Check with your household insurance as this is often an efficient way to effect such cover. You should bear in mind that we are based in a rural community and that displays of excessively expensive clothing or equipment is inappropriate. BEHAVIOUR. Respect for the local culture and for those that we work with and through is paramount. Please read through the attached 'Do's and Don'ts' and act accordingly. we have been called the 'New English' by locals battered by the images of drunkenness in the major resorts and we are keen to continue this reputation!! We are based in a rural area and people go to bed early, ( The local bars open at 4.0am. and serve strong coffee!), so we have a noise ban after 10.30 pm, whispers only please. WORK RESPONSIBILITIES: Induction and training will be common to all participants and will commence the day after arrival and continue for three days on a fairly intense basis. Induction will include details of the projects, an introduction to 'real' Tenerife, basic Spanish language skills, and project training which will be on the basis of research and reading, talks and presentations, workshops, role playing and discussions. The language of training will be English although a great deal will be in Spanish with English interpreters. Once trained, week-ends will be free and we will work on a rota basis with each individual expected to work three to four days per week. Areas of work are outlined on the attached sheet: 'Project Areas', and participants will have the option to try different areas according to interest, skills and experience and, most importantly, the achievement and furtherance of project goals. Work schedules and duties, in the main, will be decided during the induction process. It is important to us that you see 'real' Tenerife and we will be suggesting a wide rage of activities and places to visit in your spare time. SOCIAL ACTIVITIES. Summer if Fiesta time in the Canaries and every week there will be something going on somewhere in the valley. Details will be available on site as will details of museums, beaches, markets etc. For the more active, there are opportunities to go walking, (over-nighting on Mount Teide is popular although there are other, less, strenuous walks), to mountain bike, ( we rent bikes, take you to the top of the Island and you cycle down to any point of the Island where we collect you - costs Pst 2000), scuba- diving, ( costs Pst 4000 for introductory dives or about £200 for a basic PADI (equivalent) course), wind surfing etc. etc. Full details on arrival. |