Arrival in Tenerife
Upon your arrival at Tenerife Airport, make your way to your accommodation via taxi, which you can organize independently. Rest assured, the costs you incur for the taxi fare will be reimbursed to you by the dedicated team. The journey to the property typically spans around 30 minutes.
Upon reaching your destination, you’ll be warmly welcomed into the fold. Your introduction commences with a guided tour of the premises, acquainting you with the layout and amenities. The village itself will be unveiled, granting you an initial glimpse into the local surroundings. This orientation extends to acquainting you with your fellow volunteers, fostering a sense of camaraderie and community. The team members themselves will provide you with an insightful introduction, allowing you to engage with their expertise and guidance from the outset.
Orientation program in Tenerife
The second day of your involvement kicks off with an informative introduction to the project. This comprehensive initiation involves a variety of components, including presentations that lay the foundation for your volunteer engagement. During this stage, the emphasis is on acquiring theoretical fundamentals that will pave the way for your practical involvement, particularly during observation trips aboard the boat. Experience has shown that attaining a level of independent proficiency usually requires about a week of gradual acclimation.
Throughout the initial days, the following key elements are covered:
1. Personal Introduction: You’ll have the opportunity to introduce yourself, offering insights into your interests and aspirations. This helps foster a sense of connection among the volunteer team.
2. Project Overview: Your designated workspace, the “Atlantic Whale & Dolphin Foundation CIO,” will present its mission and vital work. This encompasses elucidating the significance of their endeavors and offering a preview of upcoming activities.
3. Leisure Activities and Local Attractions: You’ll receive information about engaging pastimes and attractions available during your leisure time, enabling you to explore the region fully.
4. Personal Contribution: Insights will be shared on ways you can uniquely contribute to the project’s success, enhancing your personal involvement and impact.
5. Guidelines and Protocols: Essential protocols and guidelines, necessary for adhering to responsible and effective participation, will be carefully reviewed.
As the orientation progresses, you will progressively gain deeper knowledge, transitioning from the theoretical realm to practical application during your boat observation experiences. This stepwise approach ensures that you build the skills and expertise needed to engage in your volunteer work with increasing autonomy.
Your first day in the project
During the working days, it’s customary to convene evening meetings aimed at reflecting on the day’s activities. These gatherings serve as valuable platforms to debrief, analyze, and strategize for ongoing improvement. The primary objectives of these meetings include:
1. **Review and Evaluation:** Participants engage in a comprehensive review of the day’s tasks, projects, and interactions. This allows for a detailed examination of achievements, challenges encountered, and progress made.
2. **Identify Successes and Areas for Improvement:** Team members collaborate to identify aspects of the day’s endeavors that went well, celebrating achievements and acknowledging commendable efforts. Equally important, they pinpoint areas that could benefit from enhancement, fostering a continuous improvement mindset.
3. **Open Dialogue:** The meetings encourage open communication, creating a supportive environment where team members can candidly discuss their experiences, share insights, and express concerns.
4. **Knowledge Sharing:** Lessons learned and valuable insights gained during the day are shared among the group, ensuring that everyone benefits from collective experiences.
5. **Future Planning:** The meetings provide an opportunity to strategize for the future, proposing innovative solutions, brainstorming new approaches, and setting goals for upcoming tasks.
By engaging in these evening meetings, volunteers contribute to a culture of shared learning, ongoing growth, and collaborative development within the project. This practice ensures that the team continuously evolves, refines their processes, and maximizes their positive impact on the environment and wildlife they are dedicated to protect.