Traveling and Volunteering in 2012

Sometime back, I wrote about the two weeks I spent in Nova Scotia volunteering on a small mammal project through an organization called Earthwatch (international non-profit org.). Anyway, I'm planning on traveling to Brazil this coming August to volunteer on a wildlife project that is looking at how several species (jaguar, giant piraíba catfish, Amazon River dolphin, and black caiman) use a corridor (the Araguaia River).

I'm going through the process of getting any vaccinations and immunizations that I need or ones that are required (i.e., yellow fever). The difficulties that I am currently facing is that I am running out of ideas in how to raise the money to go. Before I say any more, I want to make it clear that I am not asking anyone one for money. I am in grad school and I am looking for some part time work. Finding a part time job that works with my availability is difficult, but I'm still looking. I do some babysitting for a couple of families at my church and I also do some odd jobs as I can find them (things like yard work, house cleaning, pet sitting). Last year, I attempted to do some educational programs for kids and adults. I had it set so that I would go to different places in the area. The distance from where I live ranged from 30 minutes to about an hour and a half. For those that were interested, we'd go to one of the locations (already pre set by me) and we'd hike at a nice pace (not too fast and not too slow). I'd point out different plants, tell them the name, and give them some random information. I'd also look for signs of wildlife. I'd look for things like tracks and scat. I don't know my birds all that well so I would stay away from that. I am better with mammal identification. Anyway, I tried to keep it inexpensive...$12.50 (US dollars) per person. I only asked for $12.50 per person because I thought it would be a good thing for parents and their kids. Ok, let me clarify a little. If a family of 4 went, then it was $50. You may think that is a lot but if you think about how much it costs for a family of 4 to go to the movies then it isn't really that bad, especially if they get snacks and go out to eat. My other thought was that a mother could send her husband out with the kids. So, if the dad went with one kid it would be at least $25. Either way, they'd still be able to get a tax deduction if they wanted one. I had a form that was already filled out with my information. The form and money would be sent in and the money would be applied to my expedition fund. I'm thinking that even though times are tough, that $25 shouldn't be that difficult to part with when it's going for a good cause.

After all is said and done, I would have invested more money into then someone that has made a $25 tax-deductible donation. I have the vaccines to cover, the cost of the air fare, baggage fees, visa, and a few other things. My parents would help out by giving me money to spend during the time that we wouldn't be doing research. There is one day where no research is done and there is a possibility to do the touristy thing. Of course, I'll have a little time before and after the volunteering opportunity is over to do some shopping. I mean, come on, who wouldn't want to come home in mid-August and have all your Christmas shopping done?

I have less than $2,300 (US dollars) to raise by early May. I'm sure that if I have most of it by that time then it would be ok if I had a few hundred dollars to go to cover the contribution (called contribution since it is a non-profit org). I guess I could change which expedition (volunteer opportunity I go on). Instead of going to Brazil, I could go to one in Greece (dolphins) or France (marmots). The contribution is less than the one for the expedition in Brazil.

I guess I am wondering if anyone has any ideas of what I could do to raise the money to go to Brazil. No, I don't plan on getting a pimp or a sugardaddy. Thanks in advance.