Volunteer Experience

Transcription

1 Volunteer Experience 23 to 27 May to 16 September 2016

2 Thanks for your interest in volunteering at Animals Asia s Bear Rescue Centre in Chengdu, China. As a volunteer, you d be directly helping the bears we rescue. We ask for a fee to cover your expenses and to contribute towards our working operation on site. In return, you ll gain invaluable experience and memories to treasure forever. You ll also be making a profound difference to the lives of animals that have suffered horrific abuse. The rescue centre Our sanctuary is a safe haven for the bears, combining secure, semi-natural rehabilitation areas with bamboo forest enclosures designed to provide the bears with a secure and stimulating environment for the rest of their lives and to act as a centre for research and education. Since 2000, when the Chinese government gave us access to acres of bamboo forest and a small rundown wildlife facility and the first 63 rescued bears arrived, the centre has seen continual developments and improvements. Today there are 11 bear houses and 15 natural and semi-natural enclosures including two special-care enclosures for old or mobility-challenged bears, and two special enclosures for brown bears. The sanctuary also has a fully-equipped veterinary hospital, a sheltered quarantine area, an administrative block, a public education centre, staff accommodation, staff canteen and a bear kitchen. It also incorporates a herb garden for growing natural alternatives to bear bile and a bear cemetery. Our China Bear Rescue Centre has been accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. Our Vietnam Bear Rescue Centre has also achieved this recognition.

3 Mending the broken bears Rescued bears cannot be released into the wild as they would very likely be recaptured to supplement the farms. Many of the bears are physically or psychologically compromised due to their injuries and having spent so many years in cages, and would simply not survive. Our duty to all of these bears is to ensure that the rest of their lives is as normal as possible, allowing them to express the natural behaviours denied to them in the past in many cases for decades when they were captured and exploited for the barbaric bile trade. Snoopy s story We do not know how long Snoopy was confined in her tiny cage, but it was long enough to rob her of her sight. Through years of poor nutrition, particularly a lack of vitamin E, this middle-aged bear grew cataracts in both eyes, completely obscuring her vision. Poor Snoopy was frantic when she arrived at our China sanctuary in 2003, desperately rocking back and forth in her cage. Her head was covered in wounds from banging against the bars in frustration and anxiety. But after much love and attention, Snoopy learned to relax and enjoy her new life and soon one of her favourite pastimes was rolling in straw. This is one of the most rewarding and challenging roles I have ever had. No two days are the same, but each is filled with meaning, knowing the team and I are making a difference to the lives of these gorgeous bears. Seeing their improvement each day from when they arrive often injured, ill and broken, to playing on the grass with their friends, is life-changing. I hope you can join us!! Nicola (Nic) Field, Bear and Vet Team Director. In 2009, visiting eye specialists gave Snoopy the greatest gift possible they restored limited sight to her left eye, giving her a whole new perspective on her home and adding to her sense of security. Meet the team A team of passionate people keep our rescued bears happy and healthy. Looking after hundreds of bears (in both Nanning and Chengdu) is no easy task! Nicola Field (Nic) heads up the bear & vet team, ensuring all the bears needs are met. It s a demanding but rewarding role.

4 What you can expect We run a five-day volunteering programme, twice yearly. Volunteers are required to book in for the entire week to get full benefit from this wonderful experience of being close to the bears. Volunteers stay on site in either a shared or individual room (more below) and daily meals are provided. We take a maximum of 10 people at a time to ensure that you get the most out of your stay. Our dates or 2016 are: 23rd - 27th May 2016, 12th - 16th September 2016 The number of hours worked each day will vary depending on need. The five-day programme runs from Monday to Friday. Volunteers are advised to arrive by 5pm on the Sunday before the programme starts, and leave on the following Saturday. A typical volunteer day would be: Start your day at 7am Breakfast from am Lunch at 12pm Workday ends around 6pm Dinner at 6pm Getting to the sanctuary The nearest airport is Chengdu Shuangliu International (CTU). Most large airlines fly to Beijing, Hong Kong or Shanghai with connecting flights to Chengdu. Others (such as BA and Lufthansa) fly to Chengdu direct. Where possible, please book flights to arrive in Chengdu in the morning. Prices of flights vary seasonally so it is always better to book earlier to get the best prices. Taxis are available from the airport to the rescue centre. We can arrange a driver to meet you if you prefer for the same price that you would pay for a local taxi. The rough cost of a taxi is RMB200 and the journey will take around 1 hour. Just let us know when booking your space. Once at the centre, you ll be shown your accommodation and advised on next steps. You ll receive a Health and Safety talk and site orientation. The volunteer fee Daily activities are rotated among volunteers and include: Preparing food for the bears Placing, scattering and hiding their food and enrichment in their enclosures, allowing them to forage as they would in the wild Preparing enrichment for the bears to provide stimulation and fun. Includes making and fixing toys and preparing treats such as fruit ice-blocks Observing the bears to help the team identify changes in behavior and physical condition Cleaning the dens and enclosures, scrubbing pools and equipment General maintenance at the sanctuary as required Attend a bear health check Making a bear paw print that you can take home Attending presentations from staff on the work we do and how you can help We ask for a fee of US$500 (shared accommodation) and US$650 (private accommodation). This fee covers your accommodation (six nights), all meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner in our onsite canteen) and all equipment needed to enjoy your experience on site. It does not include travel costs to and from the sanctuary. You can give the following address to your taxi: SICHUAN LONGQIAO BLACK BEAR RESCUE CENTRE, LONGQIAO XIN DU DISTRICT CHENGDU, SICHUAN, CHINA, 亞洲動物基金四川龍橋黑熊救護中心四川省成都市新都區龍橋鎮郵編 :

5 How to book 1. Contact to check availably and ask any questions you may have 2. Send the following to our team at: or by fax a) Proof of your travel insurance b) Proof of rabies vaccination (see below) c) Signed waiver form (see below) d) Completed application form (see below) e) Copy of your passport (needed for your visa application) 3. Pay the fee (see below) What to bring Bring sensible clothes that you won t mind getting muddy or torn. Long trousers are best for the hot mosquito season. Keep in mind that you ll be outdoors daily, so comfortable shoes are a must. We recommend you also bring: 2-4 pairs of lightweight long pants 2-4 long-sleeved, lightweight shirts 2-4 T-shirts 1 pair of rubber flip-flops or sandals Wellington boots 1 pair of trainers hat lightweight jacket, polar fleece or sweater suntan lotion insect repellent without DEET A book to read at night or a laptop to watch movies on Camera Toiletries Some pocket money, should you want to go into town for an evening Requirements for volunteers To ensure you get the best out of your volunteering experience and so we can keep you safe, we ask that our volunteers: Are over 18 years Have a good level of health and fitness Are able to stand for three hours or more at a time Disclose all allergies and medical aliments/conditions before making travel arrangements What are the rooms like? They are basic, but clean and safe. There is also a basic communal area with chairs, kettle, toaster etc. What are the meals like? There is a canteen at the sanctuary that serves Chinese vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals at breakfast (items provided in the room), lunch and dinner, the cost of which is covered in your fee. The style of cooking is traditional Sichuan cuisine. Produce is sourced locally and prepared by our canteen team. Is there internet access? Yes and you are welcome to use it. But the signal can be weak so you may want to consider bringing a dongle. Is there an ATM? No, not at the sanctuary. The closest automatic teller is in the nearby town of Longqiao (approx 4-5 km away) but is not always reliable. Chengdu is the most reliable place for ATMs, which is around a 45 minute drive away which can be reached by taxi. Is there a safe? No, although the sanctuary is very secure, it is recommended that you don t bring any valuable items with you. You won t need them! Will I get a signal on my mobile phone? Yes. Will I need a visa? Yes, a tourist visa, which you can apply for through your local Chinese embassy or consulate. Animals Asia will supply you with an invitation letter to take with you when you apply.

6 Does everyone speak English? No, but many of the staff understand basic English and the team looking after the volunteers speak fluent English. They are welcoming and will do their best to make you comfortable. We also have translators on site. Will I need any vaccinations? You must have a current vaccination for rabies and provide a record of this. Animals Asia insists that you are vaccinated against rabies for your own protection due to the serious risk of exposure to rabies in China. Other vaccinations recommended by the World Health Organisation (WHO) for China are: Tetanus Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B Typhoid Diphtheria Japanese B Encephalitis Tuberculosis Do I need travel insurance? Yes. It s important to organise travel insurance that fully covers you for any medical emergencies, including repatriation to your country of origin. Travel insurance can be purchased from any accredited travel agency. Alternatively, you can contact a medical insurance provider in your country for travel medical insurance. Can I drink the water? Drinking tap water is generally considered unsafe in China, even when no contamination alerts have been issued. Use reliable bottled water for: drinking, or making beverages washing produce that won t be cooked before eating making ice brushing your teeth gargling/any other personal care activity that introduces water into the mouth It is also important that you check the WHO website for any updated information before you travel to China. At present there is no malaria risk in Chengdu or in the urban or densely populated areas of China.

7 Application form To reserve your place on our volunteer programme, please complete the below and scan and it to or send by fax along with: Your signed waiver form Copy of your passport (for your visa invitation letter) Proof of your travel insurance Proof of rabies vaccination Please tick which date you would like to register for: q 23rd - 27th May 2016 q 12th - 16th September 2016 Please complete one form for each person attending. Should you have any queries please info@animalsasia.org First name: Last name: Tel: (please include country dialling code): Full address: Nationality: Age: Gender: MEDICAL AND FITNESS DECLARATION: Do you suffer from asthma, epilepsy or diabetes? Yes / No Do you have any severe allergies? Yes / No Have you ever had any heart disorders? Yes / No Do you take any medication on a regular basis? Yes / No Have you ever taken medication for depression? Yes / No Have you ever had any psychological or psychiatric illness (including eating disorders)? Yes / No Do you have any disabilities or other medical conditions? Yes / No If you have answered yes to any of the above questions, please provide further details. Volunteer fees US$500 (shared accommodation) and US$650 (private accommodation) You can pay in the following ways: 1) By card: please complete the details below I would like to pay by: q VISA credit q MasterCard q VISA debit q Maestro Your name: Card number: (As it appears on your card) Security code: Valid from: Expiry date: (Last three digits on signature strip) 2) Online: please go to the following link and pay online: Please send us proof of payment with your application form. 3) By electronic transfer: A/C Name: Animals Asia Foundation A/C #: Bank Name: HSBC Hong Kong Des Voeux Road Central Branch, China Insurance Group Building 141 Des Voeux Road Central SWIFT CODE: HSBCHKHHHKH Once your place has been reserved, we ll contact you to arrange your invitation letter so you can proceed to apply for your visa.

8 VOLUNTEER AND ANIMAL CONTACT WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY This Release is signed on, (DATE) by (NAME), (hereinafter referred to as the Releasor ) to the SICHUAN LONGQIAO BLACK BEAR RESCUE CENTRE, also known as the CHINA BEAR RESCUE CENTRE (hereinafter CBRC ). I, Releasor, being of lawful age, and in consideration of being permitted to participate in volunteer work for CBRC, do for myself, my spouse, children, legal representatives, heirs and assigns, hereby release, waive and discharge CBRC and all of its owners, officers, directors, members, employees, volunteers and sponsors and each of them and all of their heirs, assigns, officers and employees, (hereinafter collectively referred to as Releasee ), from all liability to me as Releasor, my spouse, children, legal representatives, heirs and assigns of and from any and every claim, demand, action or right of action, of whatever kind or nature, either in law or in equity, arising from or by reason of any bodily injury or personal injuries, known or unknown, death or property damage now or hereafter resulting from any event which may occur as a result of my presence on the grounds of CBRC and/or my participation in volunteer work for the CBRC, or any activities in connection with my presence on the grounds of CBRC or resulting from said volunteer work for CBRC, whether due to negligence or otherwise. I further release CBRC and all of Releasee s officials and personnel from any claim whatsoever on account of any first aid treatment or service rendered to me during my activities as a volunteer or on any visit to the premises of Releasee. As further consideration, I do hereby acknowledge, accept, and agree as follows: 1. That I have been advised that the animals contained and that may be found on the premises of CBRC are wild and may be dangerous, and that contact with these animals, including but not limited to bears, macaques, leopard cats, snakes, caterpillars, bats, bees, and domesticated dogs and cats may result in serious bodily injury or death. 2. That I must not touch any animal, enter any animal cage, den or compound, or place any part of my body, clothing or personal property in or near any cage, den or compound without express authorization to do so. 3. That I must undertake and complete a course of training in dealing with members of the various species of animals that I may have contact with and that I must then be approved as to knowledge and proficiency prior to animal contact. 4. That the premises of the CBRC are uneven, and that there are holes, trenches, building materials and other physical hazards, and that I must exercise caution to avoid injury. 5. That I may be working with or in the vicinity of heavy equipment such as tractors, bulldozers, and backhoes, and/or with potentially dangerous hand tools and medical equipment, and that it is my responsibility to seek and acquire appropriate instruction for the operation of such tools and equipment, to exercise good judgement and appropriate safety procedures for my own safety and that of my co-workers, and to avoid the use of tools and equipment for which I lack an appropriate degree of skill and training. 6. That is it my responsibility to know and to abide by any and all rules, regulations and protocols of the CHINA BEAR RESCUE CENTRE including verbal instruction and directives that may be issued from time to time by CBRC personnel. 7. That I may never take or accompany persons into the compound or any other animal cage or enclosure without prior express permission from an authorized person. 8. That I have been duly advised of the hazards and potential dangers that may result from my participation in volunteer activities and contact with animals at CBRC, including but not limited to the above, and that it is my responsibility to exercise good judgement to insure my own safety and to refuse to perform any task that I do not feel competent and qualified to perform safely.

9 MEDIA RELEASE: I understand that CBRC reserves the right to take photographic, video or other media records of any persons or activities on its premises or off its premises related to its activities. I agree that any such records shall be the property of CBRC and may be used by CBRC, at its discretion, for any purpose whatsoever and I hereby consent to and authorize such use without restriction. I grant permission for CBRC to use, without limitation or obligation, my name and/or likeness in any way related to my volunteer work for CBRC. I also grant the use of my voice and any and all recorded and or filmed/video/photographed footage of me, and further waive all rights to any compensation, as a result of my name or likeness being used in any way. I also agree that I will not distribute or publish any photographs or video footage taken by me at the sanctuary without the express written permission of the Animals Asia Head of Communications. Similarly any discussions with the media regarding the CBRC or its activities must not be entered into without express permission from the Animals Asia Head of Communications. NATURAL DISASTERS: I acknowledge that serious earthquakes have previously affected the CBRC and surrounding areas, and there remains an ongoing risk of further earthquakes, tremors and flooding. These present health risks additional to those stated above and I assume complete responsibility for all illness, injury or death resulting therefrom. I have been advised that medical care throughout the PRC is often of poor quality, at a great distance or completely unavailable. I have also been advised that obtaining international medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended. I further release, waive and discharge CBRC and all of Releasee s officials and personnel from any claim whatsoever on account of illness, injury or death resulting from these or other natural disasters. This release and any action arising therefrom will be construed under the laws of the People s Republic of China. In the event any portion of this agreement is held invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the balance shall remain in full legal force and effect. I, Releasor, further state that I have carefully read the foregoing release, know and understand the content thereof and sign this release as my own free act. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, RELEASOR HAS EXECUTED THIS RELEASE ON THE DAY AND YEAR FIRST ABOVE WRITTEN. (Releasor s Signature) Address City Province Phone Witness (Print Name): Witness Signature: EMERGENCY CONTACT INFORMATION: Name: Phone: Relation: