Living A Dream in 2016
Bernardo - IB Student - The Galapagos 2016

Hi, I’m Bernardo, from Y12. I am one of the lucky applicants for the funding by the James Rao Foundation for an Eco volunteering conservation project on the Galapagos Island, in Ecuador.
The project is organized by an international organization called Projects Abroad (www.projects-abroad.org). They have different projects all over the world and I have chosen the conservation program in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos archipelago.
The Galapagos Islands are 1000km (621 miles) off Ecuador’s Pacific coast and are home to hundreds of unique species of flora and fauna. This diverse range of wildlife is famous for helping Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution.
To get there, it is a 30-hours journey. I will fly from Toulouse to Madrid, then to Guayaquil, in continental Ecuador, where I will stay overnight. Finally, I will take another flight to the final destination, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. There will be a bus from the organization waiting on the airport to take me to their installations.
The program is offered in two-week periods at different dates during the summer. I have chosen the second period, from July 10th to 23rd. The project will be 16 days long, including trips.
I have always loved animals and I wanted to participate in environmental and conservation activities. In this project, I will work closely with the Galapagos National Park to help protect endangered species, including activities like Giant tortoise breeding, protecting nesting areas or coastal cleaning. I want to help maintaining this natural wealth that is under real threat. I will also participate in an education program in local schools and community centres.
This has been my dream for years and now I have this great opportunity to do it. The project will allow me to have an enriching experience living and working in one of the most species-rich countries on the planet. Getting involved in a real conservation program will give me a great experience, not only in the wildlife conservation but also in helping the local community. I’m looking forward to my project next summer and would like to thanks the Rao family for this incredible opportunity.
The project is organized by an international organization called Projects Abroad (www.projects-abroad.org). They have different projects all over the world and I have chosen the conservation program in the town of Puerto Baquerizo Moreno on the island of San Cristobal in the Galapagos archipelago.
The Galapagos Islands are 1000km (621 miles) off Ecuador’s Pacific coast and are home to hundreds of unique species of flora and fauna. This diverse range of wildlife is famous for helping Charles Darwin formulate his theory of evolution.
To get there, it is a 30-hours journey. I will fly from Toulouse to Madrid, then to Guayaquil, in continental Ecuador, where I will stay overnight. Finally, I will take another flight to the final destination, Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. There will be a bus from the organization waiting on the airport to take me to their installations.
The program is offered in two-week periods at different dates during the summer. I have chosen the second period, from July 10th to 23rd. The project will be 16 days long, including trips.
I have always loved animals and I wanted to participate in environmental and conservation activities. In this project, I will work closely with the Galapagos National Park to help protect endangered species, including activities like Giant tortoise breeding, protecting nesting areas or coastal cleaning. I want to help maintaining this natural wealth that is under real threat. I will also participate in an education program in local schools and community centres.
This has been my dream for years and now I have this great opportunity to do it. The project will allow me to have an enriching experience living and working in one of the most species-rich countries on the planet. Getting involved in a real conservation program will give me a great experience, not only in the wildlife conservation but also in helping the local community. I’m looking forward to my project next summer and would like to thanks the Rao family for this incredible opportunity.