Joanna - Oct 09

It's amazing being at the Manu Learning Centre, on the bank of Madre de Dios in the special reserve zone of Manu national park, south Peru. Waking up at 4.15AM to go across the river to the bird hide to monitor the macaws on the clay lick has its rewards! The beautiful dawn breaking and the sound of the parrots and macaws is a memory that will stay with me forever.

As part of the on going monitoring project of the 'at risk' blue Headed Macaws, as well as the early morning starts, in the afternoon you take an energetic walk through the many trails behind the lodge as part of 'parrot census'. You can be out in the heat and humidity for about 2 hours listening for the birds, so the refreshing cold showers at the MLC are more than welcomed!!

The most rewarding experience was creating a bio garden for a single mother in the town of Salvacion, which is a good walk and a short bus ride away. In the afternoon heat, we put up fences, prepared the soil and sowed the seeds to create a vegetable patch that will hopefully grow to feed her children and maybe also provide a little income for her.

Lucy - Sep 09

The project was amazing, although not always pleasurable! the place were we stayed for the majority of the time was total luxury for the jungle, although the work was hard and some of the work seemed much more relevant than others. I came out with a feeling of acomplishment and it was amazing to see all of the wildlife!

* Communication / correspondence (before and after making an application):
communication was really good, prompt!

* The PoD website:
the website was very efficient, this is how i came to decide to use PoD, without knowing anyone who'd done a placement with you before.

* The PoD information booklet:
the information booklet was good, and I read it a few times.

* Relevance and usefulness of training in-country:
the training was relevant, alot to do with macaws and learning their calls (which was very difficult!) although i would have preferred if we learned in a more practical way instead of being played the calls in a room and writing it down in a test form, although this was just the learning preference of the guide.

* Quality and location of accommodation:
the accommodation exceeded all of my expectations! it was really nice, especially the huge mosquito nets which tucked under the matresses, they gave an impression of privacy whilst in the dorm room and stopped the cockroaches crawling into bed with you, and the bats from pooing on you!

* Your work placement:
the placement was good, it was very very educational, I felt the most worthwhile task was building the bio garden because that was the one with the most visible impact, although the research projects were all very worthwhile too.

* Was the work what you expected: the work was mostly what I expected!

* Quality of support in-country: excellent! Miguel was especially good.

* Did you feel that PoD UK was there for support if needed: yes

* Quality of any activities included in the programme:
the activities were good, especially the bhaltzar wood rafting and the white water rafting!

* The PoD package (what was included) and value for money:
good value for money, there was plenty of food and the transfer far suppassed the regular Peruvian cross andes transport!

* If you had to change one thing about the placement what would it be:
the stomach cramps the food and water gave me for the first two weeks!

* Did the placement overall live up to expectations:
yes definitely! i had no idea what to expect, no matter how much i read but i returned with a great experience.

* Based on your experience, would you recommend PoD / this placement to others?:
yes definitely if i thought they would enjoy it.

* What 3 tips would you give to a future volunteer doing this placement:
1) take loads of diarrhea tablets
2) go with an open mind
3) make sure you can lift a pick axe in 40degree heat!

Beth - Jul 09

Hi Liz,
       Thanks for your email! I hope you had a great honeymoon- we met Mike in MLC and he told us you had got married - congratulations! Thank you again for everything; I had the best time in the world in Peru and met so many interesting and lovely people and learned loads! It was quite overwhelming actually, in a really good way- I still can't stop thinking about it! I would love to go back, but I think it won't be for a few years, as I am about to become a student with a lot of debt! I hope everything goes well for PoD, and thank you again.

I don't really know where to start! Going to Peru through PoD was definitely the best experiece I have ever had; it was quite overwhelming, in a really good way. I learned so much, not only about ecology, environmental issues, but also about the culture and languages of the area and how people live and work in different places. What really struck me, though, was the idea that there is so much in the world to see and learn, and that actually the more you learn, for example about nature, the more you realise how amazingly complicated everything is! However, I think that one of the main things that I have taken from this experience is meeting so many really interesting and friendly people- those who work at the MLC, the other volunteers, the people who live in Salvacion... There were so many times when my face hurt from smiling, or I couldn't speak for laughing or I had that really satisfying feeling of being so completely exhausted after a hard day's work followed by and intense game of football!
The experience has really inspired me to work hard at university so I can maybe have some sort of environmental job in the future, and I would definitely like to return to Peru one day to visit the people and places I got to know whilst volunteering with PoD and see some more of this wonderful country.

* Communication / correspondence (before and after making an application):

It was really helpful and reassuring to know that if you had any queries or questions, or just wanted to talk about the placement, you could ring the PoD office or send an email and somebody would reply quickly and was always willing to help.

* The PoD information booklet:

The booklet was really helpful, as I was not very confident or experienced at travelling on my own, and all the information was really useful and relevant.

* Relevance and usefulness of training in-country:

The training we had at MLC from Karina about the various projects, and the information about local cultures and ecology was really interesting and useful, as it helped to give an idea of the background about why we were doing the work and what it was contributing to.

* Quality and location of accommodation:

I found the accommodation very comfortable, and just perfect for where we were (no walls necessary!) and what we were doing. The way everything was laid out gave MLC a real cosy family sort of feel.

* Your work placement:

I found the work placement really exciting and interesting, as we were able to work on so many different things. It was never boring, as one day you might be macheteing through the undergrowth to measure trees, and the next you could be inputting data or sorting out leaves after a morning surveying parrots! All the people were so friendly and helpful, and you really felt you were part of a team. There was no pressure to do things if you didn't feel comfortable with, but similarly, it felt that whatever you strengths were, you could contribute in some way. At MLC, they were always open to new ideas and suggestions.

* Was the work what you expected:

Yes, but even more fun, interesting and varied!

* Quality of support in-country:

Right from the first day, it felt like if you had any problems or questions, you could go to Miguel the MLC manager and he would do his best to help. Also, in Cusco, the people in the CREES office were very helpful and even organised us a city tour on our last afternoon before we went home!

* Did you feel that PoD UK was there for support if needed:

Definitely... the night before I went, Mike from PoD rang me and asked if I had any final questions, and I knew I could always email PoD UK if there were any problems, although I never needed to!

* The PoD package (what was included) and value for money:

Although it seems at first fairly expensive, what I got out of the project was invaluable.
There was so much included, and the quality of the support both before and during the placement, made it very good value for money.

* If you had to change one thing about the placement what would it be:

I would have stayed for another few months!

* Did the placement overall live up to expectations:

The placement surpassed all my expectations - I don't think I had really fully realised what I was expecting until I reached Cusco - I was quite overwhelmed by everything! It was fantastic! Even now I am home, I keep thinking about it all and can't wait to go back.

* Based on your experience, would you recommend PoD / this placement to others?:

I would really recommend this placement to anyone who is looking to have an really exciting experience and get involved in a small community in a wonderful place. This kind of experience, I think changes the way that you look at the world and your own place in it. I makes you realise how big everything is!

What 3 tips would you give to a future volunteer doing this placement:
1)Throw yourself into everything and try and do and see as much as possible.
2) Take lots of photographs, so that when you are talking to people about it afterwards, you can help them to visualise what it was like.
3) Keep a journal!

Any other comments: Thank you very much for letting me on to the placement!

Scores out of 5

5   The Placement
5   The service from PoD
5   The overall experience

5   Speed and quality of response to any enquiries (before making an application)
5   Placement pricing / what’s included (how you felt about this before applying)
5   PoD website Content / the information
5   PoD website Format / presentation
5   PoD information pack Content / the information
5   PoD information pack Format / presentation
5   Overall rating of the placement and experience
5   Arrival arrangements
5   Accommodation
5   The centre / school / home you worked at
5   The work / your role
5   Activities (if part of the PoD programme)
5   Support
5   The location
5   Overall value for money

Lawrence - May 08

* Communication / correspondence (before and after making an application)

Superb. PoD responded well to my late application and the communication with the centre was excellent too.

* The PoD information pack.

Plenty of info to help first-time travellers & volunteers.

* Quality and location of accommodation

Superb.  the centre have a good position in Manu, close enough to local villages including slightly developed and traditional ones.  The hardwood 'pod' accomodation is luxurious.  And that waterfall shower - heaven!

* Your work placement
A good mix of scientific study, such as taking biomass readings in the forest, and hard graft, such as reforestation.

* Quality of support in-country
Excellent.  Every member of the the centre staff was friendly, helpful, informative and professional.  All a joy to work with.

* Did you feel that PoD UK was there for support if needed?
Yes, but I can't imagine it ever being needed!

* Quality of any PoD activities (please specify which trips / activities).
Fantastic- when you stay a month at Manu, nearly a week is spent doing activities away from the site, inc. river rafting, horse-riding, camping out and visiting local villages, a farm, hot springs.

* The PoD package (what was included) and value for money

There's no two ways about it - it's fairly pricey.  However, it is a case of "you get what you pay for" - the amount of learning and experience on this package is excellent, and the accomodation is more like a luxury resort!

* If you had to change one thing about the placement what would it be?
If I had to change one thing, I could maybe point out that the food is fairly limited, in part due to remoteness of supplies. However, the cooks do a great job with what they've got.

* Did the placement overall live up to expectations?
Yes.  I went with the aim of getting involved in and learning about conservation in the rainforest and got exactly that.  We also managed to find some interesting frogs, though we never found a poison arrow frog!

* Did you have any incidents, problems or accidents while on the placement?
No. Well, except for our bus getting stuck on the muddy mountain road - a common occurrence in Peru. This was great fun tho, as we spent the next few hours redirecting water-flow, digging and towing the bus out and generally pulling together.

* Based on your experience, would you recommend PoD / this placement to others?
Yes. The package is well run, yet authentic and friendly. The learning and experience to be had is excellent. All the staff are superb. 

Scores out of 5

5   The Placement
5   The service from PoD
5   The overall experience

5   Speed and quality of response to any enquiries (before making an application)
4   Placement pricing / what’s included (how you felt about this before applying)
5   PoD website Content / the information
5   PoD website Format / presentation
5   PoD information pack Content / the information
5   PoD information pack Format / presentation
5   Overall rating of the placement and experience
5   Arrival arrangements
5   Accommodation
5   The centre / school / home you worked at
4   The work / your role
5   Activities (if part of the PoD programme)
5   Support
5   The location
4   Overall value for money

 Carl - Mar 08

* Communication / correspondence (before and after making an application)
very helpful, any queries we had we could call up for a lengthy informative chat.

* Quality and location of accommodation
brilliant and too nice i wanted to rough it but it was a quality hotel in the jungle

* Your work placement
it was a great place to be. we were there for 4 weeks only so we didnt get lots of work out of the centre but what we did was interesting and hot

* The PoD package (what was included) and value for money
when you compare it to any other holiday its a bargain for the variety of experiences you get and things you see. in many places you could pay twice as much to see half as much

* Did the placement overall live up to expectations?
yeah it was a great experiance the good bits were really good and id love to do it again

* Based on your experience, would you recommend PoD / this placement to others?  Why?
it works out so much cheaper than backpacking and you see and experience the things you really went to the country for

* Any other comments?
i had a great time and wont ever forget it there is so much nature out there.

Cecile - Mar 08

* Communication / correspondence (before and after making an application)?
i felt taken seriously and helped quickly with any concern from the PoD people

* Quality and location of accommodation
the mlc is absolutely stunning and very comfortable. felt almost like a hotel

* Quality of support in-country
the office people (sergio..) were great, really nice and helpful people made us feel so welcome and looked after. also waldo was great.

* Did you feel that PoD UK was there for support if needed?
yes although we didnt needed it but they gave me the feeling that we could rely on them

* Quality of any PoD activities (please specify which trips / activities).  Would you like to see any of the activities taken out, or other activities added in?
horse riding, white water rafting, hot springs, camping. the hacienda we stayed was fantastic, great people, lots of fun and great food! a really good time keep it going.

* The PoD package (what was included) and value for money
good value. at the mlc we had fantastic food even the rations

* Based on your experience, would you recommend PoD / this placement to others?  Why?
i would recommend pod as the people are very helpful and the projects seem good value and experiences.

Danni - Apr 07

"I feel I have put a lot into the last 6 weeks at the centre and feel like I have learnt a lot and met some fantastic people. I value my time here and believe I have got out of it what I wanted and more so.

The work here is very valuable and I would lastly like to thank the centre and all the staff here for providing me with the opportunity to work here and for making it an amazing and indescribable experience."

Lucinda - May 07

"* If you had to change one thing about the placement what would it be?
I would have stayed longer!

* Did the placement overall live up to expectations?
Definitely. It was one of those experiences that I will happily never forget. The placement was awe-inspiring, and the people were great, I had such a brilliant time.

* Based on your experience, would you recommend PoD / this placement to others? Why?
I have already done, and will continue to do so. I thought that everyone involved in the application and placement process were friendly, knowledgeable and helpful, and really helped make my experience what it was; a totally unforgettable placement.

* What 3 tips would you give to a future volunteer doing this placement?
Bring plenty of bite cream and bug spray - it really helps..
Try everything, don’t just specialise in one thing - you discover so much more!
Take PLENTY of socks, they will get destroyed by the general climate in wellington-booted-amazonian walks.

* Any other comments?
I just wanted to say thank you again, I really appreciated the help and advice you gave me. Good luck for the future!"

Alison - Oct 07

"Made it home safe & had to sleep in peace & quiet – no frogs, cicadas & birds which was very strange! I had a fantastic time. Everyone was great, staff & volunteers. The work was mainly fun & interesting but we have given them more feedback on individual projects. The parrots were amazing!

Thank you for organising a great placement & all the support & reassurances you gave me before I went."

Lucie - Jul 06

"The MLC and everything involved in the Manu Learning centre was an incredible experience and I learnt so much whilst out there. All of the staff were so friendly and supportive as well. Thank you so much for the opportunity - I really had an amazing time."

Neil - 06

"Volunteering for the centre offered the chance to help with the conservation of the area whilst knowing that a lot of the money made is inputted back into the native communities, unlike some volunteer organisations. PoD were very helpful and enthusiastic in organising my project, and I hope to travel with them again soon! By far the best part of the project for me was the mammal census, involving trekking through the jungle with sightings including Woolley monkeys, howler monkeys, squirrel monkeys, peccaries and jaguarondi, plus many kinds of birds, lizards, snakes and insects.

My time spent at the centre was incredible and provided a great insight into living in a jungle environment. The accommodation was better than could be imagined considering the location, and our daily routine and expedition gave plenty of opportunity for learning about the area, helping to conserve the rainforest, trying out local cuisine and swimming in Amazon tributaries!

Value for money was very good - looking at other projects, PoD was cheaper and included more. The placement was more enjoyable than I could have imagined and I have no complaints!"

A note from the director of the Jungle Centre in Peru - Quinn Meyer

We have been working together with PoD now since 2005 in developing a volunteer programme that not only offers an engaging Amazonian experience for volunteers but also provides real value in terms of conservation and community work.

Since the beginning of 2006, the cumulative efforts of more than 50 PoD volunteers (producing over 100 months worth of work) have succeeded in achieving significant progress on a variety of projects. Without their contributions many of these projects would simply not exist. In the first 10 months of 2008 volunteers planted 12,000 seedlings in local communities as a part of our reforestation initiative, collected and identified over 500 mammal prints as part of our mammal research project and participated in providing environmental education to over 100 local teachers and students. They have also helped collect important data for our carbon reforestation initiative, helped to protect the blue headed macaw (an endangered species) and have participated in many community regeneration schemes. Their contributions have been key to the development of our sustainable strategy for the region.

The Amazon experience is an unforgettable one. The different culture, wildlife and way of life are all compelling reasons to travel to this part of the world, but it is these factors that also combine to make it one of the most challenging environments in the world to work in. PoD volunteers have consistently surpassed our expectations not only by overcoming these challenges but in the manner in which they have done so. Their enthusiasm, attitude and commitment are an inspiration both to us and to members of the local community.

With the support of Mike from PoD and their volunteers we look forward to continuing our important work. Thank you everyone who has participated!