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Conservation - Gap-Ventures - Africa and Asia Venture

Conservation

Why?

We at AV realise that many of our volunteers are genuinely concerned about the worldwide damage being caused to the environment and prefer to have a gap year that allows them to learn more about it.

We don't pretend that our AVs will change the world by giving up some of their time for a few months but they will certainly be able to experience some of Africa's most stunning scenery ‘up close and personal' and live amongst the relatively poor, rural communities that live alongside nature and its extraordinary array of wildlife. We believe that the delicate balance and equilibrium that allows nature to look after all our needs can only be fully understood by living amongst it for a meaningful period.

What?

Let's face facts...in what, for many, is their first trip to Africa, a lot of the time spent on our projects is spent learning about the culture and customs of the people amongst whom our volunteers live - a completely wonderful but utterly different experience to anything most have ever had before. Additionally, unless they're an African wildlife vet or have a Phd in an ‘ology', there's not a lot of real difference that can be made in 3 months to the state of the environment in which they live or that of their communities' natural surroundings and inhabitants! But...we can provide an extraordinary experience that will lead to a genuine understanding of many of the issues involved so that our AVs are properly informed and in a strong position to partake in realistic discussions and decision-making in the future - a pretty valuable outcome of a gap year experience, we think. Those thinking of a career in this type of work will find the whole experience hugely beneficial.

Where?

Our community-environment-conservation experiences take place in Kenya and Uganda. We try to provide as much variety in our experiences as possible. In Kenya, our projects are focussed on a 48,000-acre conservancy at Soysambu, an old cattle ranch that has been handed back to nature. In Uganda, our involvement is on and around the stunning River Nile, 30 kilometres north of Jinja. Both countries offer experiences in sustainable projects that include and benefit the communities that surround them. Of course, as with all our schemes, work is followed by play...lots of it! It takes place as our AVs travel in smaller groups around the region, taking in as much as possible, and it ends with a 6-day, game-viewing safari.

Who?

Currently, we limit our groups to no more than 20 at a time - all aged between 18-24, graduates and non-graduates. We split the groups according to those we consider will get on best together and allow each to spend 6 weeks on one project before swapping over for 6 weeks on the other. Our AVs come from every type of school and background and we get the deepest joy in seeing them united as one in the exclusive ‘AV club' they become part of on leaving. "Once an AV, always an AV!"

Interested?

See how community-environment-conservation works in detail in:

AFRICA: Uganda - Kenya