Description

A Lao Eco tourism project, implemented by WWF in cooperation with the Lao National Tourism Administration and Openmind Projects.

Teaching English in villages to help guides and other villagers to basic English conversation skills to take care of tourists, focusing on topics that guides explain during their tours. .

Volunteers may also help train village and provincial guides how to guide tourists on a trek/jungle wall as well as help villagers to learn to take care of guests.

Volunteers can also help the project collect information for tourists about target villages, treks, jungle walks, elephant rides, boat rides and transportation to/from target areas.

Background
The Xe Pian National Protected Area (NPA) is located in the south of Laos and has been identified as one of the three most important NPAs in Laos. At least 13 globally threatened mammals have been found in Xe Pian, incl. tiger, gaur (the Asian Bison) and the Siamese crcodile.

There is currently no other international support and little national protection of Xe Pian. Poaching and logging is a problem. Tourism is on the rise. Poorly planned tourism development in Xe Pain is likely to have negative impacts on both nature and local communities but serious Eco tourism initiatives will greatly help balancing economic development with biodiversity conservation.

This Xe Pian Eco tourism Project started in April 2007. It aims to develop Eco tourism to generate income for both villages and protected area management thus encouraging villagers, other stakeholders, and tourists to conserve the natural resources. The project works with five villages.

Eco tourism activities to be developed include elephant trekking, bird watching, canoeing, hiking and forest walks, wildlife threat monitoring, cultural performances and interaction with local communities.

Highlights

Day 1-3
Volunteer Orientation in Nongkhai Thailand with Openmind Projects

Day 4
Travel to Pakse

Day 5
Arrive in Pakse. Introduction to local officials. Orientation with project staff. Self-directed Lesson planning. Review of lesson plans. Stay overnight in local guesthouse or homestay.

Day 6
Travel to village site. Introduction to village leaders. Introduction to homestay family. Agreement with villagers on times for English learning and guides/homestay families who will participate in the course.
Evening: First class. Overnight with homestay family.

Day 7
Daytime - practical teaching in the field with select guides/homestay families.
(During school terms, it may also be possible to teach students during daytime.)
Evening informal classroom teaching for guides and homestay families.

Last 2 days
Written assessment of the course. Reporting to the project about progress and future needs.

Qualifications

Useful Volunteer Profile
* Some teaching and trekking experience. A commitment to nature protection and an interest in developing community-based Eco tourism.
* Flexibility and ability to work in changing work conditions as well as an interest to stay in home stay and eat local food.
* Ability to work alone with villagers.
* Good health.

Languages

• English

Cost in US$:

Cost Includes:

• Excursions
• Food
• Housing
• In-country orientation/Training
• In-country staff support
• Language instruction
• Pre-departure orientation/Training
• Registration fees
• Written materials abroad
• Written materials pre-departure

Experience Required

no

Volunteer Types

Typical Volunteer

Interest in teaching and trekking. A commitment to nature protection Openminded. Flexible and able to work in changing work conditions. Good health.

Age Range

18 plus

This Program is open to

Worldwide Participants. This Program is also open to Couples and Individuals.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

Independently or in Groups of 2-4

Application Process Involves

• Resume
• Written Application

Typically The Application Process Time is

One - two weeks

Post Services Include

• Exit Debriefing Abroad
• Job and Internship Network

Open mind projects's Mission Statement

To bridge the knowledge divide between the rich and poor. We do this by helping the underprivileged gain access to better learning opportunities with the help of modern information technology and international volunteers; To contribute to the fight against increasing threats to our environment, nature, and wildlife; To offer international volunteers unique opportunities to help bridge knowledge divides and to help save nature, while growing as persons in our grassroots education and eco projects.

Year Founded

2001