JALOVA

MONTHLY ACHIEVEMENT REPORT:

Building Lifelong Skills through Global Vision International
January 2014
Summary-GVI is a program that is based on the development of people and communities. The
skill development of our volunteers and staff is essential to keeping the Jalova base running.
These skill sets are what attracts new volunteers to volunteering with Global Vision
International.
Report
Its a great first month to the year in Jalova. This month, the GVI Jalova hub hosted staff from
the Quepos hub for a weekend of Emergency First Response Instructor Training. All six Jalova
staff members along with the two members of the Quepos staff were trained by Daniel PonceTaylor, GVI director of Programs and EFR Trainer. They all successfully completed their training
and passed their final exam. This is great news for both bases as not only will this allow for the
beginning of Emergency First Responder instruction on the Quepos base, but will also enhance
the abilities of Jalova to train Emergency First Responders.
Amongst those trained include new staff members Marcelle Muniz and Renato Bruno. Both
Marcelle and Renato will be spending the next year here in Jalova teaching EFR methods and
biological surveying techniques to future volunteers. Two of the other staff members trained
this month were Kat Cutler and Ryan Venne members of the GVI internship program that were
placed at the Jalova base as staff members. As interns they are grateful to add this valuable skill
to the long list of qualifications theyve acquired here in Jalova.
Other exciting news for Jalova hub this month is the start of the National Scholar Program. This
program is aimed at developing local people skills, so they can work together with GVI to
protect their own region. Our first scholar, Walter Gonzalez, has been living in Tortuguero for
many years, and has worked with Sea Turtle Conservancy for the last two turtle seasons. He is
very excited and grateful for the opportunity to work with GVI towards the conservation of
Tortuguero National Park, and has been learning all the survey techniques developed in Jalova.
The cultural exchange has been beneficial for both volunteers that have been learning Spanish,
Caribbean recipes, and the Tico way of life from Walter. Walter meanwhile has been learning
new English from his interaction with volunteers and staff alike. Through his experiences here
in Jalova, Walter has made friends from all over the world and expanded his opportunities for
the future. This is GVI, empowering people to take action through education, cross cultural
communication and life changing experiences.
Along with the staff and Walter thirteen new volunteers and interns were trained in
Emergency First Responding this month in Jalova. Thats not all that is being learned here in
Jalovas this year, the new volunteers have been learning species identification skills, camera
trap techniques, biological survey techniques and community living skills. Some come to Jalova
to find out what they want to do in their lives, assist or continue their formal education, and

others come simply to try something new in life. Whatever the reason all that come to Jalova
learn skills that will last a lifetime.

Figure 1 GVI EFR Instructor Trainer and Costa Rica Staff after the Course