Volunteering Information
Accommodation
Your accommodation is basically furnished; it consists of a small house in a beautiful location, with kitchen, bathroom, 2 bedrooms, (One with a double bed, and one with 2 single beds) and a sitting room.
- The double bed is used for couples but you may be sharing a room with someone of the same sex in the room with 2 beds.
- All rooms have electric ceiling fans and power points.
- Hot water is provided unless there is a power cut as the battery backup cannot cope with heating water.
You will be provided with a hot vegetarian midday meal at the main house. Whilst on the property we ask you to be vegetarian. Some basic fruits and vegetables are also available for you to cater for other meals. You can arrange for bread rolls and milk to be delivered in the mornings. Local shops sell other basic food items. Bottled water is available from the house, this is filtered for safety (tap water must not be drunk). Mapusa, the nearest town, also has a small supermarket which stocks some western foods, although these can be expensive. You may want to bring some of your favorite snack items.
Requirements
The minimum stay is 1 month, as by the time you have adjusted to local conditions, any shorter period will not really be practical to learn about primates and our work.
Please contact us, on the latest position regarding visas.
Firstly we would point out that because we offer such a unique opportunity for hands on work with Primates you need to book as far in advance as possible because places are very limited.
We also have limited on-site accommodation at The Tree House which may be available for a minimum donation of 5,000 Rs per week.
If you would like to find your own accommodation, please make sure that it’s possible to arrive at the Tree House on time as we have a set timetable starting at 8:00am.
Please note that you need to be covered by adequate and suitable travel insurance which will cover you working with animals and also repatriate you in case of an emergency.
Volunteers are responsible for all their own travel arrangements to and from Goa, India and the Tree House.
If you wish to apply please send details of when you would like to come along with basic information such as age, sex and any special skills you may have that would be of particular help to the centre.
Once your dates have been agreed we ask that you pay a deposit equivalent to one weeks stay for every month that you will be volunteering. This can be paid by transfer to our UK bank account or by Paypal. This sum will be taken off the total for your stay when you have finished your volunteering with us.
Please contact us and quote “Primate Volunteer”.
We look forward to hearing from you!
Because we take the Health and Safety of our volunteers seriously we have strict rules that are laid out in our Health and Safety Regulation which is on display at all times in our information centre.
Health & safety
The most important rule is that all volunteers handling animals must be vaccinated against rabies.
Vaccinations for Hepatitis and Tetanus are advised, but not a requirement for volunteering with us.
For your own health and safety, please visit your own Doctor for their recommendations for other vaccinations and tablets required for for living in rural India.
Mosquito repellent creams are available in India and should be applied regularly. The local brands are very effective and a fraction of the price paid for these outside of India.
Although shorts and a T-shirt are sufficient for daywear, long sleeved light weight cotton shirts will give additional mosquito protection in the evening and sun protection during the day. It can get very hot and humid at some times of year.
If you are a smoker, please be aware that there is no smoking at The Tree House. We request smokers to smoke away from the buildings and the monkeys.
Please note that you need to be covered by adequate and suitable travel insurance which will cover you working with animals and also repatriate you in case of an emergency.
Items to pack
- Diarrhoea tablets.
- High factor Sun Block.
- Ibuprofen Gel is recommended for bites and stings.
- Germolene is recommended for scratches and abrasions.
- Casual lightweight cotton clothes, swim wear.
- Strong, non slip sandals.
- Sun hat.
