On
the whole, this
volunteer program
is for Tacugama
to benefit from
the skills, ideas
and services of
the participants,
rather than for
the volunteers
to have "working
holidays."
Volunteers may
be asked to perform
various tasks
outside their
normal job descriptions.
Keep in mind that
while our volunteers
work very hard,
they are also
doing so in a
very enjoyable
& comfortable
setting.
1.
Chimpanzee Care
Volunteer
Requirements:
-
Previous experience
working with chimpanzees,
or other primates
&
practical
knowledge of animal
behavior.
-
Supervising/management
skills.
-
Good understanding
of animal health/hygiene.
-
Previous experience
living in developing
countries and/or
in an isolated
setting with limited
amenities.
Job Description:
- The volunteer
will be involved
in the care and
monitoring of
the resident chimpanzees
during feeding
times, and in
cases where individual
chimps are ill.
-Assisting
the resident veterinarian,
record keeping,
supervision of
local care staff,
and environmental
enrichment.
-Guiding
the public visiting
the sanctuary
and assisting
the Project Director
in administrative
tasks may be required.
Period:
Minimum of 3 months
is required. Longer
stays will be
considered on
an individual
basis.
2.
Skilled
Volunteer
Requirements:
Any expertise
that may help
Tacugama grow!
We are looking
for a volunteer
that can help
us maintain &
promote our
chimpanzee
adoption
programme
& other fundraising
activities, designing
publications
(e.g.
posters, brochures,
newsletters, etc),
artists &
writers, proposal/grant
writing, access
data-base designing,
& programming
our online store.
The individual
should also be
able to participate
in other routine
tasks at the sanctuary
if needed.
Period:
Based on the agreement
between the volunteer
and Tacugama.
The
following applies
to all volunteers
at Tacugama
Most
of our chimps
are in large forested
enclosures, during
daytime you may
not see them outside
of feeding times.
As Tacugama aims
to build bonds
amongst the resident
chimpanzees, under
normal circumstances
we do not encourage
volunteers to
have direct physical
contact with chimpanzees.
Also
note that chimpanzees
are potentially
dangerous animals
and we do receive
chimpanzees from
unknown backgrounds
with some diseases
infectious to
humans.
Although we take
all possible precautions,
volunteers are
required to sign
a release form
before their volunteer
work begins.
Volunteers
must acknowledge
and sign a Memorandum
of Understanding
that the sanctuary
reserves the right
to access and
publish any information,
data and images
regarding the
sanctuary, its
staff and chimpanzees
compiled/taken
by volunteers.
The use of such
information, data
and images by
volunteers for
any purpose must
be authorized
by the sanctuary.
Tacugama
reserves the right
to terminate the
services of any
volunteer should
it consider them
unsuitable for
the task and or
their attitude
is detrimental
to our operation.
Expenses
All expenses (e.g.
return airfares,
food, living expenses,
medical expenses,
insurance, etc)
must be covered
by the volunteer.
Tacugama provides
basic accommodation
on the site.
As
of January 2007,
the average living
cost for a volunteer
is $200 - 250
per month. You
may spend less
if you can eat
local food (rice
and local soup,
non-vegetarian).
Imported food
items are normally
more expensive.
Health
issues
Volunteers must
be physically
and mentally fit
to work under
any climatic and
social conditions
for long hours.
Volunteers
are required to
submit a written
proof of:
• Health status
• Negative TB
test result or
chest x-ray result.
• Vaccinations
against Hepatitis
A and B, typhoid,
polio, rabies,
and tetanus
• Yellow fever
vaccination (It
is a requirement
for entering Sierra
Leone.)
Malaria
Volunteers are
advised to take
malaria prophylaxis.
Chloroquine resistant
falciparum malaria
is reported in
Sierra Leone.
Please consult
with your physician.
Accommodations
The volunteer
living quarters
is located in
the sanctuary.
The quarters can
be shared by up
to 3 volunteers
at a time. Each
volunteer has
his/her own room
with bathroom
and a shared kitchen
and living room.
Power
& Communications
There is no electricity
round the clock
but a generator
is available for
the use of computer
and to charge
cellular phones
etc. Local mobile
phone companies
have coverage
for the sanctuary.
You may bring
your phone, provided
it is not locked
in by your current
mobile service
provider.
[SIM cards are
cheap ($3) and
readily available]
. We
also recommend
you bring rechargeable
batteries for
your head lamps
& other such
devices.
Climate
As we are located
in a forest reserve
in the hills,
it can be cold
during the nights
and when it is
raining. A sleeping
bag is recommended.
The
rainy season is
usually from May
to October. It
can rain for days
and weeks. Volunteers
coming during
the rainy season
are advised to
bring good rain
gear.
Day
off
The volunteer
is entitled to
have one day off
every week but
you must be able
to adjust according
the sanctuary's
activities.
Location
of the Sanctuary
The sanctuary
is located 30
minutes drive
from Freetown,
the capital of
Sierra Leone.
"Bush taxi"
(public transportation)
is available from
the nearby village
(40 minute walk
from the sanctuary)
to the centre
of the town.
Language
English is the
official language
of Sierra Leone.
Good speaking
and writing English
is required. The
most common
language
in the region
is "Krio".
Visas
An entry
permit/visa is
required for all
non-Sierra Leoneans
(Except for ECOWAS
citizens) nationals.
Applying
If you are interested
in volunteering,
please send your
resume/cv,
reference letters
and a statement
of intent (300
words maximum)
to volunteer@tacugama.com.
Please
include the following
information:
•
What motivations,
expectations &
objectives do
you have for your
internship at
Tacugama?
•
How will your
contributions
benefit Tacugama
Chimpanzee Sanctuary's
projects?
•
Do you have
bush experience
in developing
countries?
•
Do you have experience
living alone in
an isolated area?
•
Do you have any
health conditions
(allergies, disabilities,
asthma, etc...)?
Please
contact
volunteer@tacugama.com
if you have questions
or if you would
like to apply
for a volunteer
position.
The
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