Who will benefit?

• What will I gain from this programme?
• Who else will benefit from this placement?
• Why are people from the overseas needed on this programme and who has asked for their involvement?
• Will the programme continue after I have left?

What will I gain from this programme?

Beyond the excitement, adventure and sense of achievement that an expedition and language placement will give you, there are many ways that you can make your experience work for you. There is no doubt that employers are interested in people who are motivated and worth investing in.

You should also not underestimate the qualities you are able to display at having been able to fundraise your target with all the organisation, planning and execution that goes into getting all the money together whether you were working hard in a bar, getting sponsorship for a parachute jump.

The trekking phase presents an opportunity to demonstrate how well you can cope outside your comfort zone and how well you can have adjusted to physical and mental challenges.

During the extended programmes in Belize, the Spanish phase offers a fantastic opportunity to significantly improve your language skills or get from zero to conversational in a considerably short time.

Your time as a teaching assistant in a rural school demonstrates self-reliance, organisational ability, confidence and a high level of energy.

After the period of jungle training and completing an expedition, you will be armed with the ultimate evidence of having used initiative, determination and teamwork to complete a common aim in one of the most primitive and unpredictable environments that are left in our world.  You can add valuable skills to your CV such as project management and leadership, specific health and safety skills, and the all-important life skills as well.

Who else will benefit from this placement?

You and your team will be working for local and international NGOs, national parks, scientific groups, wildlife departments, teaching authorities and schools.  The specific project that you will work to complete during your expedition will have a direct impact on their work, and in many cases may not have been feasible to take place at all without the dedication of Trekforce volunteers, such as you. In Belize we are working Friends for Conservation and Development for the longer term conservation of the Chiquibul national park.

Through your efforts the communities and environments you will be working in will be directly affected in the most positive way.  We are extremely proud of the emphasis that we put on the quality of our project work and teaching placements, and it is a pride that we are confident you will share as soon as you get involved!

Why are people from the UK & Overseas needed on this programme and who has asked for their involvement?

All conservation and community projects are carried out at the request of the sponsoring bodies - whether it be the schools or the National Parks authorities within the countries in which we work. Our in-country staff overseas are working all year round with our project partners to identify the most urgent projects, which must also be sustainable in to the future. 

Part of the financial contribution that you make to Trekforce goes towards helping to fund the projects, which may not have been able to take place without this and your physical efforts!  It is your energy and time combined with the expertise of Trekforce and locally employed staff that makes the work we do so valuable and sought-after.

Will the programme continue after I have left?

Most definitely! As soon as you have finished your project at the end of your expedition, it will be handed over at an opening ceremony to the specific project partner. From then it will start to be used for its intended purpose. Often we return to do additional projects with the same organisations, building on the success of the initial projects we completed. All projects are assessed for their sustainability before Trekforce agree to take them on.

The teaching programmes are ongoing, and much of the work you have done will be continued by the school and by future Trekforce volunteers. 

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