Applications
Q. How do I apply for the project?
Q. What kind of qualities are we looking for in participants?
Q. When is the deadline for applications?
Q. Does the application need to be fully completed before sending it?
Q. How well do I need to speak and understand English?
Q. How well do I need to speak and understand Spanish?
Q. Are all applicants who apply accepted?
Q. When will we find out if we are accepted?
Q. Is this program open to people from various religions?
Travel
Q. What if I do not yet have an updated passport?
Q. Do I need a visa?
Q Will I need to take any special shots or medication if I go to Paraguay?
Q. Will anyone meet us at the airport or bus terminal?
Q. Can I arrive before the project or stay after the project?
Country Conditions
Q. What kind of work will I be expected to do?
Q. What kind of food will be served and what do I do if I have special needs?
Q. Will I be able to use the internet and my cell phone?
Q. Do I need to do hard physical labor? Q. What kind of places will we sleep?
Q. Will I be able to shop for souvenirs?
Q. What kind of education program will you have?
Q. What concerns does the Zika Virus pose to those interested in joining a project?
Payments, Fees and Options
Q. When do I need to pay my fees?
Q. Do I need to pay for my international travel?
Applications
Q. How do I apply for the project.
Applications can be downloaded from the website. All completed applications should be sent to LedaSettlement@gmail.com. We will review and consider each application in a timely fashion.
Q. What kind of qualities are we looking for in participants?
The Pathways to a Sustainable Future Project is looking for participants that are interested in learning and sharing with others across cultural and national barriers. If you have an interest in environmental care and a concern about the future, this is a plus. Those who want to experience and learn more about agriculture, fishing, aquaculture, and teh care and skilled riding of horses would gain from this project. Wanting to serve those in one of the poorest indigenous villages is a plus. If you have special skills that can be shared with others such as, photography, video, art, writing, dance, singing, carpentry, or mechanical skills, we would consider these valuable contribution. Good language skills in Spanish and English is a plus. If you are ready and willing to work with others, to live simply and to discover more about life and the world we live in, you are a good candidate for this project.
Q. When is the deadline for applications?
The deadline for receiving application is March 31st. Since the number of participants is limited, we recommend that you send your application as soon as you are able.
Q. Does the application need to be fully completed before sending it?
Getting your application in early is important. Sometimes you may be missing a piece of information such as a passport number that may require more time to receive. Please send your nearly complete application in and send us any additional required information as soon as it is available. Your recommendations should be sent by the Respondents.
Q. How well do I need to speak and understand English?
The project requires a basic ability to speak and understand the English language. Some translation will be available but a basic understanding of the language is very important.
Q. How well do I need to speak and understand Spanish?
The more you can speak and communicate in Spanish, the better. Even a limited ability to communicate in Spanish is a plus but it is not a requirement.
Q. Are all applicants accepted?
Our program receives more applications than it can accepts so we will review each application and weigh them taking into account a variety of factors. We consider your experiences, education, ability to work with people, your special contributions and other factors. Special care is given in reviewing your essays and the recommendations you receive. Since we are looking to realize a stimulating diversity among the international applicants, we may not able to accept all qualified applicants.
Q. When will we find out if we are accepted?
We will try to respond within 30 days of receiving your application. All applicants will be notified of their acceptance or non-acceptance no later than May 1.
Q. Is this program open to people from various religions?
This program is interreligious and is seeking men and women of excellent character who care to make the world a better place for all.
Travel
Q. What if I do not yet have an updated passport?
You will need a current passport to enter Paraguay. The passport expiration date must be at least six months after your planned arrival date. Passports that expire before January 3rd, 2017 will not be accepted by the host country.
Q. Do I need a visa?
For many participants, a Paraguay visa will need to be obtained. The cost of the visa depends on the country of your passport. Visas can be obtained at the nearest Embassy or Consulate of Paraguay. You can also get a single-entry visa on entering Paraguay at the airport if you have proper identification. Please check the visa requirements to confirm what documents and fees you will need.
Typical turnaround time for visas in the U.S. is one business day. For additional information for those coming from the USA, visit http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/en/country/paraguay.html
Q. Will I need to take any special shots or medication if I go to Paraguay?
Typically, no special vaccinations are needed while you are participating in the program. You are encouraged to bring any medicine that you will need during your stay.
Q. Will anyone meet us at the airport or bus terminal?
Since Participants will inform us of their arrival time and information, we will have a representative meet them at the airport.
Q. Can I arrive before the project or stay after the project?
If you may want to arrive early or remain after the project concludes you will need to take responsibility for your own expenses and well-being. The project will cover your general room and board from the time the project officially starts to the time that it ends.
Country Conditions
Q. What kind of work will I be expected to do?
In the village we will have a variety of manual labor to do, including painting, planting, and light construction work. Those with special skills may be asked to use them. For those who enjoy teaching or working with children, there will also be many less physically intensive jobs.
Q. What kind of food will be served ?
The food in the hotel is substantial. The village food will be cooked by primarily members of the Leda Settlement. This food often suits the tastes of those attending the project since the kitchen there has ample experience in feeding international guests. Please bring any special spices that you may want to add to your meals.
Q. Will I be able to use the Internet and my cell phone?
The Internet will be available most of the time in the hotel, some of the time at the Leda Settlement and never in the village. Cell phones and texting can be done in the city and at Leda but not in the village.
Q. Will I need to do any hard physical labor?
If you have a problem performing "sweat" labor, there are several other ways for you to contribute during a project.
Q. Where will we be sleeping?
In Asuncion, our participants and staff will stay in a suitable hotel that is centrally located. The hotel has facilities and meeting rooms. Most hotel rooms will be double-occupancy. While in Leda we will live in well-kept dormitories but while working in our village we will live very simply, possibly sleeping on mats in a school, with no running water and limited lighting.
Q. Will I be able to shop for souvenirs?
In Asuncion, some time will be allotted for shopping. Often we organize small groups and shop together. Handcrafts can probably be bought in the indigenous village.
Q. What kind of education program will you have?
Our participants will be organized in small teams that help facilitate discussions and sharing on various issues including the theme for that day. Some short presentations will be made by experts in their field and these will be followed with a time for questions and answers as well as group discussions. We will present on issues such as sustainable development, history, culture, and contemporary issues facing the people of Paraguay.
Q. What concerns does the Zika Virus pose to those interested in joining the project?
We have been closely examing the current situation in Paraguay with regard to the Zika Virus. The central concern at this time is with those people who are pregnant or are trying to conceive. We ask all participants or prospective participants to educate themselves on the topic, so that they are fully aware of any risk coming on the program.
As it relates to our program, we would like to note that the Zika Virus is a domestic virus, meaning the mosquitoes that carry the disease tend to breed in houses and not necessarily out in the country side. All project begin in the capital city, Ascunscion, but the majority of the project will take place in Leda, which is located far from the cities and towns, deep in the country. As a general practice we recommend that participants bring mosquito repellent to any and all activities during a project.
Payments, Fees and Options
Q. When do I need to pay my fees?
Once you receive a notification that you have been accepted as a participant, you will be expected to make a nonrefundable deposit of $100. This deposit will allow us to hold your spot as a participant. The remaining payment must be made by June 15. Arrangements can be made to pay the fees (in US dollars) on arrival.
Q. Do I need to pay for my international travel?
You are expected to purchase your own tickets and make your own flight arrangements. We begin in Asuncion with the project’s orientation.
* If your question is not answered on this page, please send us a message through our Contact Us page. We will answer your question and post additional information if necessary.