Important Dates for Isla 2009 Programs:

Summer Program Departure Dates 20 June Peru, Bulgaria, Ghana, India
Application Deadline* 1 May
On-line Training** 18-22 May

Fall Program Departure Date 12 September
Application Deadline* July 2009 Bulgaria, Ghana, India
On-line Training** 31 August - 4 September

* Contact Isla for placement availability after application deadlines.
**The Principles of Sustainable Community Development, conducted by Village Earth.

Isla Peru Summer Program 2009

Isla Summer Program in the Ucayali Region of the Central Peruvian Amazon.
Term: Peru Summer Program 2009
Program Start Date: 20 June 2009
Volunteer Program Description Isla is offering this unique opportunity to travel and work in Peru with host organization, Village Earth, to individuals with knowledge of:
Environmental conservation, outdoor education, or ecotourism – Participants will contribute to the physical construction of natural trails, buildings for nature centers, and signage in a wildlife refuge.
Natural resource management or wildlife management – Participants will do research doing transects in the reserve to record animal and plant species as well as research regarding individual species.
Ecotourism - research on the potentials and impacts of eco-tourism in the region.
NGO capacity building in coordination with the Village Earth project leader and Shipibo indigenous organizations. (Spanish language skills required)
Aquaculture - Assist in fish farming operations, business skills, fundraising, grant writing
Teaching English as a Second Language, English, and Teaching – Teaching English to Shipibo youth and adults.

Program Dates: Program start date is 20 June and extends for 8 weeks. Isla recommends the 8 week program, however it is possible to participate for shorter periods (3-4 weeks, 5-6 weeks). Contact Isla for your preference.

Cost $85 application fee. Fees range from $3,000 to $5,400 depending on the number of participant weeks and number of participants. *Fees decrease significantly for groups of 2 or more. Contact Isla for more information regarding fees.

More Information contact Isla

The Principles of Sustainable Community Development

Are you curious about Isla's web-based pre-departure training in the Principles of Sustainable Community Development conducted by Fort Collins based Village Earth? Read on as we have prepared some information to satisfy your curiosity.....

Course Description The course is designed to prepare Isla participants for the world of service learning by engaging them in critical reflection on the ethics of service as well as practical strategies for creating a meaningful experience for all stakeholders.

During this course participants will:

· Examine different theories of development and poverty

· Analyze the historical and global processes affecting their particular project/study area

· Come to recognize and articulate their role in community development processes

· Use tools to garner genuine community input.

Course Format The course will take place over the course of one week, with each day focusing on a different topic. The course will be delivered online. All materials for the class will be available for download from our website accessible to registered participants. Materials will include readings, audio and visual files as well as discussion questions. Village Earth staff will monitor the class and facilitate daily discussion for up to 2 hours each day.

A one hour prep session will be held the Friday before the start of a class to ready students in the use of the Webinar tools. Participation in this session is required to provide time for students to make any needed adjustments to fully participate and ensure time is not taken up on the first day simply trying to navigate the Webinar tools and technology. Although participants will not be graded, successful completion of the course will require that participants thoroughly and critically complete all readings and assignments and fully participate in live discussions.

This course is organized around a set of readings, videos, and audio files that will be used to generate and guide our online discussions. These resources will be available on line and students will be expected to complete any given assignment and be ready for discussion at the start of the each day’s session.

We hope this information has satisfied your curiosity!

Isla Volunteers and Interns Wanted for the Summer and Fall 2009

Natural Resources in Bulgaria

Many opportunities for wildlife and natural resource conservation, management, program development and implementation. This is also a great opportunity for individuals to see incredibly gorgeous areas of Eastern Europe! Details on each program are found here: Bulgaria Partners

Youth Development in India

These opportunities are in the urban schools and orphanages of Mumbai and will open student's eyes to the issues facing children in poverty, orphanage program development and alternative education, awareness and youth development programs. For anyone who's been intrigued and wanted to make a difference after seeing the movie "Slumdog Millionaire" this is the perfect opportunity for them to get involved and make a difference! Details found here India Partners

Construction Management, Youth Development, Water Resources Management, and Business Development in Ghana

Our partner, Project Okurase, is building a skills training and formal education center to empower AIDS/HIV orphans. They are at the beginning stages of construction and seek construction management volunteers to continue to build the Nkabom Center - which will consist of 15 buildings. Youth development and business development opportunities within Project Okurase are also very exciting - we are specifically seeking a few volunteers with apparel merchandising skills and marketing to develop a line of clothing based out of Project Okurase! Details found here: Ghana Partners