 
The work of the Manu Learning Centre is holistic and skills needed are many but the priority is to concentrate on building language capacity.
- English teachers and linguists to build language and teaching capacity in teachers, staff and the community
- Spanish skills are essential
The Project
The Manu project works with communities in the valley of the Alto Madre de Dios River, a tributary of the Amazon. On one side lies the Manu National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the largest protected area in Peru, on the other lies the Indigenous, Amarakaeri Community Reserve.The Manu Learning Centre is located in the centre of the two in this incredible part of Peru.
The project seeks to develop the potential of local communities through strengthening of their language skills in an interactive and multi-disciplinary setting. Through this development, benefits are felt in a much wider context; in the conservation of the rainforest and empowerment of local people.
This project is the foundation on which all other skills exchanges will be built upon and is vital in order to release the full potential of the communities.
The main focus is one of sustainability. The Manu Learning Centre (MLC), the central facility out in Manu, is an example of this. Here they harness solar power and alternative technology where possible, so minimise damage to the environment. The MLC incudes a bio-garden project within the local communities, helping them to construct gardens and learn about how to use them to grow vegetables and fruits native to the region, rather than depending on expensive imports or unsuccessful crops and cropping techniques from the Andes. The bio garden project is a model farm – and demonstrates how it can work. If local people decide that they could do the same, then MLC provide support. The applied tecniques learned here can assist local people to generate an income as well as feed themselves. Volunteers with business and administration skills as well as horticultural skills will be of huge benefit to the model farm.
The Manu Education Project is working with local communities, teachers and the project coordinators and staff to improve and begin their spoken and written English. Spanish-speaking skills are required in these initial stages of the volunteer programme - however there are bilingual staff working at the MLC who will facilitate the work of the volunteers.
Context
The project is located in the Alto Madre de Dios valley. This is the most populated area in the region of Manu due to its un-protected status. There are several small settlements and communities; some near the river and others further back into the forest which form Manu in which we work. The Manu Learning Centre is located within this area, on the Eastern bank of the river, within the Mascoitania Reserve. It is opposite the community of Los Aguanos, and near Mansilla and Adnanrayo, communities within which we work.
Most of these communities are composed of settlers from the Andes who have lived in the region for between 5 and 20 years. Their prospects are small, there are no resources to speak of and their level of education is poor. They have no means to develop their options as they are tied to their farms and their families. The project works alongside these people to give them options, enable them to make choices, and take control of their own lives.
The Manu Biosphere Reserve encompasses almost the entire watershed of the Manu river, from tributaries that start high in the Andes down to the lowland Amazonian rainforests that stretch to the Atlantic. It's geography, biodiversity and indigenous communities not only make it a compelling destination but also a valuable cultural, scientific and economic resource. An area approximately the same size as Wales and although, only 70km from Cusco, the Manu Biosphere Reserve has remained relatively protected by the limited access routes.
The Manu National Park (MNP) is the largest national park in Peru and comprises more than 1.6 million hectares of intact tropical ecosystems, from lowland rainforest through cloud forest to highland elfin forest and humid Andean grasslands and swamps
The MNP is also home to no less than eight Amerindian tribes as well as native highland Quechua-speaking communities and immigrant colonists (mestizos), all of whom add-up to a cultural mix of 18,000 people. A further 6,000 people (mainly foreigners) visit the MBR every year as tourists.
Minimum Duration
minimum 4 weeks - however in some instances 2-week placements can be arranged when the volunteer input can be tightly focused and targeted.
Living Conditions
You will be living at the Manu Learning Centre, a sustainable research and education centre located in Manu. At the MLC you will be provided with a bed with mosquito net, a lockable cupboard, and clean sheets. Rooms are constructed in an open plan style and beds will use large curtains to separate off private areas, whilst allowing for a view onto the forest. Food and packed lunches will be provided three times a day and will be typical local fare; rice with a sauce and vegetables, soups, occasional meat/fish. Food is simple wholesome and local and prepared under very good hygiene standards.
The MLC provides comfortable, airy accommodation, top level research facilities and ample space for the processing of samples, laboratory work and other project needs. The centre boasts a solar powered internet connection ( which volunteers may use for a local fee ), environmentally sound septic system and gravity fed water pumps in order to keep within the station's aims to minimise its impact on the environment and reduce its carbon footprint
Project Costs
£1485 for 4 weeks
Additional weeks are costed at a sliding reducing rate
Please note these costs are correct to the best of our knowledge but can only be confirmed at time of booking due to changes in transport and taxes outside our control.
N.B. Costs based on a conversion rate of US$1.50 to 1.00 GBP
Included:
Full board stay at MLC, airport transfers from Cusco, in country transfers to project and daily work transfers if required, full local orientation, social event, project & placement liaison.
Please note that there are a number of scheduled departures run by the project from Cusco - if your travel dates coincide with these, your fee would be reduced by $260 - approx £170 - these dates can be confirmed on application.
Your project donation will be used for the purchase of educational and training and project equipment for the communities.
Not included:
International and domestic flights, insurance, visa costs, personal expenses such as phone calls, medical expenses, etc.
How your money is spent
MLC is committed to working with local people throughout the year, even when there are no volunteers present. With this in mind the costs are outlined as percentages of the annual running cost.
In Peru ( Direct and Project Management Costs)
30% Accommodation/Food
5% Administration – Orientation & Support
20% Transport/Logistics/Fuel – Airport pickup, transport to site.
15% Salaries & in country running costs
30% Project Expenses
Included in the cost
$200 project donation in Peru
£215 placement and matching fee in UK
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