Based in England and Nigeria we could do with yur help.
Founded in 1995 by Canadian Zena Tooze, CERCOPAN is now one of the leading environmental non-profit, non-government organizations working for conservation in Cross River State, Nigeria, with excellent relationships with government at both state and federal levels, and with a support organisation in the UK (registered charity 1116955). Our primary areas of work are primate rehabilitation, environmental education, community rainforest conservation, and research. CERCOPAN has two sites, our administrative and primate rehabilitation headquarters in Calabar, and our international research and education centre at Rhoko, Iko Esai (our community partners). Partners include the Cross River State Forestry Commission, the Cross River National Park and the University of Calabar.
Volunteering in Nigeria
CERCOPAN's first volunteer arrived in 1995 to take over from project founder and volunteer Zena Tooze when family commitments required her to return to Canada for several months. Since then, over 70 long and short term volunteers have been integral to this growth and development, and as the project changes, so do the type of volunteers, bringing more and different levels of expertise with them. CERCOPAN considers ongoing training of local staff vital to the sustainability of the project, and is now able to support enough staff to enable more serious training to begin. Apart from animal husbandry and wildlife rehabilitation, volunteers have brought skills related to environmental education, fundraising, veterinary nursing, biology, engineering, mechanics, and building, welding, and construction.
Why do we take volunteers?
Volunteers are vital to CERCOPAN's growth and development, providing a variety of skills and expertise for minimal cost, thus conserving scarce resources for project development. CERCOPAN believes all long term volunteers should bring a skill to the project which will help staff learn and the project expand and grow in new ways.
Is volunteering for you?
Commitment, flexibility, sense of humour and passion about conservation are all required, as well as the stamina to 'go the distance', even when things seem tough and the distance from home and loved ones seems too much. If you have these qualities, you will have the experience of a lifetime, and will definitely develop skills to continue in conservation in the future. Long term volunteers will come to work with our local staff, carrying out important training, and providing vital skills to the organisation. Short term volunteers will be coming to above all learn, and experience grass roots conservation first hand.
Long term or short term, you are guaranteed a wonderful experience! If you feel you don't (yet!) have the necessary life and work experience skills, or have commitments which don't allow you to be away from home for extended period, then the short term option may be just the thing for you. CERCOPAN accepts both long term supported volunteers, and short term volunteers who are self supporting (3 months or less).
How to Apply
First decide whether a long term or short term option is for you (more details below).
Then send an e-mail to info@cercopan.org outlining at least the following:
your background and information to support your application
your transferable skill
why you want to volunteer
when you would be available and for how long
whether you are financially ready
IMPORTANT: Please keep file attachments below 1 MB, otherwise we may not be able to read your application!
Long Term
To be a long term volunteer, you should be financially (including medical insurance) and mentally prepared to commit to between 6 months and 2 years, and have a transferable skill to offer. You must be mature, willing to work long hours, often with little free time or privacy, have an understanding and tolerance of different cultures, a sense of humour and be able to work well as part of a team. Finally, you must be passionate about conservation, whilst understanding the difficult issues facing conservationists in developing countries. CERCOPAN provides for room & board, and local travel needs for long term volunteers; stipends are offered, depending on the period of commitment.
Short Term
To be a short term volunteer, you must be prepared for anything, flexibility is the name of the game! Above all you must be keen and used to hard work. Short term volunteers should plan a minimum stay of 3-4 weeks, and can stay for up to 3 months. They must provide their own flights and medical insurance, and in addition, pay a weekly fee which covers room, board and training at CERCOPAN.
