Fundación Gaia Pacha (BOL-88)


Type: Environmental/Green Projects: Environmental awareness raising - Country: Bolivia

Brief description and main aims

In 2006 a group of young Bolivian environmental professionals decided to create an institution that would respond to the big environmental challenges in the country. 

The greek term Gaia evokes the Lovelock’s theory that indicates that Earth is alive.  In the same complementary way, the term Pacha that comes from native languages such as Quechua and Aymara, is part of the more complete term Pachamama.  Pachamama means “Mother Earth”.  Gaia Pacha is a combination of modern theory and a legacy of ancient wisdom that expresses pretty much the same: that our Mother Earth is alive.

Gaia Pacha focuses on environmental awareness, protection and sustainability of communities at risk that their resources further reduce the dangerous effects of environmental degradation.

Main Activities

Gaia Pacha’s efforts are addressed to four dimensions that we believe, combined, can ensure sustainability in different levels.  These working areas are:
  • Research & Technology
  • Training & Education
  • Environmental Policy
  • Conservation & Ecosystems Restoration

Volunteer tasks

Educational Project at the Manuela Gandarillas Center for the Blind: Gaia Pacha is involved in organizing workshops and ludic activities for partially-sighted young people who attend a daycare center. The activities are focused on informing the children about the environment and they have recently designed a sensory garden for the children.

Workshops at the Natural History Museum:Gaia Pacha has set up an agreement with this museum to provide educational workshops focusing on the environment and natural sciences.

Environmental education program for children at Aldeas Infantiles SOS-Cochabamba: a program to implement an environmental education program for groups of visiting children that is both accessible and enjoyable.

Volunteer activities associated with all of these programs include designing and implementing educational materials, and planning projects to raise environmental awareness among young people.

Volunteer requirements / Skills

The volunteer should:
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Be responsible, enthusiastic, commited to Bolivia's sustainable development, and eager to learn and share
  • Have an intermediate Spanish level
  • Be able to work for a minimum period of three months
  • Demonstrate cultural sensitivity and work well in a team

Location

The project is located in Cochabamba.

Hosting Situation (Board and Lodging)

The volunteer will live with a host family.

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