GVI.2014.2  

Monthly  Achievement  Report  Jalova,  September  2015  

Taking  in  the  global  view  of  Global  Vision  International-­‐  the  transition  from  

being  a  volunteer  to  becoming  a  Jaguar  project  leader  in  a  year    

Objective  One  of  GVI’s  key  objectives  is  Empowerment-­‐  to  equip  our  alumni  with  the  knowledge  and  ability  to  further  contribute  towards  key  global  and  local  issues.  This  month  we  decided  to  highlight  the  skills  gained   throughout  GVI   from  being  a  volunteer   in  South  Africa   to  becoming  a   field   leader   in  Costa  Rica.      Summary  This   is  a  written  testimonial  on  how  Grant  Baker  has  used  his  skills  and  knowledge  gained  through  his   internship  to  achieve  one  of  his  goals  and  grow  within  GVI.  “From  Africa  to  Greece  and  now  in  Costa  Rica  being  part  of  GVI  has  taught  me  how  to  work  in  different  environments  and  by  using  my  past  experiences  to  transition  smoothly  from  one  place  to  another”.      Report-­‐testimonial    

As  an  intern  it´s  in  your  head  that  you  are  looking  for  a  career  in   the   field   that  you  are   interning   for.  You  choose  to  dedicate  your  time  and  money  to  work  towards  and  prove  that  you  are  worthy   to  work   in   this   field.  After   completing  university   I  was  head  strong  to  live  my  dreams  and  have  an  adventure.  Choos-­‐ing  to  do  the  GVI  internship  in  South  Africa,  Limpopo,  was  one  of  the  best  decisions  of  my   life.  Looking  to  gain  valuable  work  experience  and  field  knowledge  as  well  as  accomplishing  one  of  my  oldest  dreams  by  seeing  and  working  with  lions  in  the  wild.  I   was   hoping   it   would   to   lead   to   a   new   and   exciting   career.  Once  my   time   ended   in   Limpopo   I   looked   at  what   I   could   do  next  to  achieve  a  more  permanent  position  in  the  field  of  wild-­‐life   conservation.   I   immediately   went   to   the   GVI   Careers  Abroad  webpage.  Searching  the  many  options  I  could  apply  for  I   decided   to   help   with   the   summer   under   18’s   program   in  Greece.   I   was   accepted   and  made  my  way   to   Europe   for   the  summer.   The   environment   and  project  was   completely   differ-­‐

ent  and  with  the  volunteer’s  being  under  18,  volunteer  management  was  a  whole  new  ball  game.  I  also  gained  knowledge  on  marine  turtle  biology  and  survey  techniques  which  were  very  helpful   to  lead  the  turtle  surveys  here  in  Jalova.    When  I  arrived  to  Jalova,  I  was  told  I  would  take  over  as  the  Jaguar  project  leader,  which  is  a  big  responsibility,  as  we  work  in  partnership  with  top  notch  Jaguar  researchers  in  the  area  like  Panthera  and  the  Coastal  Jaguar  Conservation,  whom  conduct  very  im-­‐portant  projects   in   the  area.   The   skills   I   gained  during  my   time   in   Limpopo  eased  my   training  as   I  already  knew  how  to  set  up  camera  traps  and  identify  felines.  All  in  all  by  using  my  past  GVI  experi-­‐ences  to  adapt  to  life,  now  in  Jalova  it  has  made  me  open  minded  and  able  to  learn  quicker  how  the  project  works  here.        

 

GVI.2014.2  

   Through   training,  knowledge  and  motivation  my  goal   is   to  achieve  a   smooth   transition   into  a  new  GVI  project.  Through  gaining  knowledge  and  learning  about  the  local  environment  here  in  Tortguero  National  Park,  understanding  new  species  and  working  around  a  new  data  base  as  well  as   learning  new  tasks  and  management  routines  around  base  are  all  part  of  reaching  my  achievement.      Arriving  at  a  new  base   is  a  mixed  feeling  of  excitement  and  anxiety.  By  coming   into  this  new  envi-­‐ronment  with  an  open  mind  and  positive   attitude   I   felt   a   similar   attitude  was   reciprocated  by  my  fellow   staff  members.   The   first  week   in   Jalova   can  be   intense  with  presentations  every  day  and  a  large  number  of  species   to   learn  and   identify.  Turtles,   Incidentals,  Birds,  and  Jags  are  the  main   fo-­‐cuses  here  at  base  all  with  their  own  specialised  test  that  needs  to  be  just  about  one  hundred  per-­‐cent   for  a  staff  member   to  pass.  As  a  staff  member   it   is   important   to   lead   the  multiple  surveys  at  Jalova.  To   lead  your  own  survey  you  must  be  knowledgeable  and  prepared   to   lead  a   survey  while  another   staff  member   is   in  attendance   to  ensure  you  are  doing   it   correctly.   I   found   this   to  be  ex-­‐tremely  helpful   in  order   to   feel  confident  enough  to   lead  volunteers   into   the   jungle  and  on  to   the  beach.      On   surveys   and  around  base   there  are  many  different   species   and   some  of   them  can  be   tricky   to  identify.  To  achieve  my  goal  to  make  a  smooth  transition  it  is  important  to  take  the  time  to  look  up  and   learn  about   species   you  don’t   know.   Spanish   is   the   local   language  here  and   for  me   to  under-­‐stand  the  locals  and  understand  community  issues  I  have  been  trying  to  learn  more  Spanish  as  well  as   review   local  maps   or   old   articles   related   to   the   area.  One   of   the   biggest   tasks   of   being   a   staff  member   is  getting   into  a   rhythm  here  at  base.  Understanding  where   things  are  or  where   they  go.  How  to  restock  supplies  or  retrieve  an  important  tool  to  complete  a  task.  Adapting  myself  to  a  dif-­‐ferent   schedule   format   and   setting   multiple   alarms   to   get   the   day   started   for   survey.   Finding   a  rhythm  didn’t  happen  overnight  but  with  time  it  has  become  almost  second  nature  around  here  at  base.   All   aspects   of   being   here   at   Jalova   are   important   from   surveys,   volunteers,   data,   and   self-­‐improvement.    Looking  back  at   this  past  year  and  the  multiple  GVI  projects   I  have  worked  for,   they  have  all  been  different  with  many  excitements  and  excellent  experiences.  Each   taught  me  many  different   things  but  they  all  had  something  similar  that  I  could  relate  to  and  use  to  adapt  with  ease.  The  transition  to  Jalova  as  been  a  very  positive  one  and  with  everyday   I’m  getting  more  comfortable  and  confident  with  my  surroundings.  With  each  project  I’ve  worked  I  take  in  important  amounts  of  knowledge  and  positive  experiences  to  the  next.  

   Grant  Baker,  Jaguar  project  leader.