Monthly

Achievement Report
Jalova, June 2014

Advances of the National Scholarship Program in Jalova

Summary:
GVI Jalova hub started for the first time the National Scholarship Program. Our first scholar, Walter,
has been living with us for 6 months. He has already been showing many advances, learning English,
survey protocols and Emergency First Response. He is now starting the Internship Program, which
will bring him lifelong skills and experience to fulfill his plans for his future career. And GVI has pride
to be part of his story.

Objectives
Empowering is one of the key objectives of GVI. With the National Scholarship Program, GVI hopes
to give the local community knowledge and power to work towards key global and local issues,
including sustainable development and conservation.

Report:
GVI is proud to be a company with social responsibility. Here in Jalova, we started the National
Scholarship Project in January 2014. Our first scholar, Walter Ariel Blandon Gonzalez is from
Nicaragua, but has been living in Tortuguero for many years. He has many plans for his future and
GVI is playing an important role in it. With this experience, he hopes to be more prepared to
continue his studies on an undergraduate level, majoring in biology and conservation.
Our scholar has already developed his skills in many ways. When he first arrived, his knowledge of
English language was basic. Now, after 6 months, we can already see an advance in his learning
process. The daily living with English speaking volunteers has been pushing him forwards. Besides,
staffs efforts to organize English classes are showing results, as he builds up confidence everyday to
speak in a non-native language. Volunteers are also always engaged in this activity: every month we
have volunteers to help staff members with his English classes or even just having a conversation in
English.
During the last 6 months, Walter has been learning the methods we use for our surveys and also
teaching us what he knows. Being raised in Tortuguero, he has a keen eye to spot our local animals,
which makes him an invaluable asset in the field. His previous experience working with turtles with
Sea Turtle Conservancy also makes him extremely helpful on turtle season. Besides, the cultural
exchange he promotes with volunteers is priceless. His Tico rice recipe has already gained reputation
on camp and he is always happy to practice and teaching some Spanish. We are happy to see the
accomplishment of one of the goals of our National Scholarship Program: the exchange of
knowledge between the local community and our staff and volunteers.
On June, Walter achieved another victory. He took the EFR course with the new volunteers. After 3
days of intensive training, theoretical and practical tests, he has learned how to act in emergency
situations. Now, after 6 months of initial training and practicing English, he is officially ready to start
our Internship Program. Together with other 3 other interns, he will be trained on taxonomy

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identification, leadership skills, scientific writing and presentations and data analysis. We are excited
to take this further step, as this will bring him more experience and knowledge.

Foto 1 Walter studying for the EFR course with a volunteer
It has been many challenges for him: cultural and language barriers, but also a lot of learning.
However, Walter has demonstrated enthusiasm and willingness to learn and develop every week.
Hopefully this is only the start of a program that will become established for many years to come.
This week, we are receiving Luis, Walters friend. He has showed interest on our National Scholar
Program and wanted to visit us for a week during his holidays. We are already keeping an eye for our
next lucky national scholar!
Marcelle Muniz Barreto, Field Staff

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