Reap International Internships

Reap International, a nonprofit organization which works in Russia, Latvia and Lithuania, is beginning work on its summer 2000 unpaid internship program for the Lake Baikal region of Siberia and also for Latvia and Lithuania. The final details, including firm program costs, will be available in early November. Interested persons are invited to make inquiries before that date, particularly if they have specific objectives which they wish to achieve in their internship.

In the summer of 1999, we had four interns from 1-3 months involved in varied activities, including environmental education, assistance with tourism development, work with orphans, English language training and work with high school students on nature study. We had one intern without Russian language. In 2000, we expect to be able to have some non-Russian speakers as well, but these will be limited and REAP reserves the right to decline an applicant.

At Lake Baikal we can place interns in Irkutsk and Ulan-Ude, as well as some situations in rural Buryatia. Baikal is the world's most unique lake ecosystem. It has enormous diversity of plants and animals, as well as all three of Siberia's great ecosystems; Boreal forest (taiga), Asian steppe and alpine mountains. It is also culturally diverse, with ethnic Russians, Buryats, most other Soviet ethnics and several indigenous peoples related to the Buryats. Buryats are descended from Mongolians. Religions include Russian Orthodox, Buddhism and Shamanism.

REAP has worked with a variety of local organizations and institutions for nearly 10 years. Our network includes the Ministries of Education, Culture, Justice and Agriculture; our own nongovernmental partner organizations, many scientists, educators, other nongovernmental organizations, farmers, entrepreneurs, village administrators, school teachers and school administrators. Our largest program is involved in developing rural stability in small communities in Buryatia by providing multiple assistance to the rural schools in those villages. Many of our interns work with this general program, but we also will be sharing interns with other projects.

In Latvia and Lithuania, we have partners involved with sustainable rural development, organic farming and environmental education.

REAP will not only have interns in its own programs in 2000, but we expect to provide other organizations with interns. The complete list of situations will be available in November. Persons with specific needs should contact us as early as possible in order that we can try to find a good match.

We can also host college groups for short adventure travel, which can include trekking, mountain climbing and kayaking. Finally, please look for information on REAP's Second International Green Walk, which will be held in Buryatia. Information on this project will also be circulated in November.

Contact:
Bill Mueller
REAP International
1427 4th Street SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404
(319) 366-4230
Fax: 366-2209
E-Mail: [email protected]

Last updated:    October 1999

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