ONG Semillas Life

ATTENTION! Semillas Life is not a real Conservation Ecology internship – it’s very misleading. No team, no lab, no equipment (apart from a few camera traps). No structured projects, just rushed jungle tours with no clear learning. Supervisor has no experience, doesn’t speak English, and was unprofessional (even blocked me when I got sick). Christian, the director, lives in Berlin – there is no proper on-site management. The programme is no longer in Puerto Inca (where the forest is almost gone due to deforestation). Instead they’re in Codo de Pozuzo, claiming to do “reforestation”, but it’s just planting a few trees in a school backyard. Living conditions are dirty, unhygienic, and overpriced. A nearby hotel with private bathroom and TV was cheaper than their camp. This is not conservation work – it’s just jungle tours. If you are serious about learning ecology, look elsewhere.

I had the most wonderful time in codo. The kids, the jungle, the house, the volunteers and of course Dora, Hans, Wolfgang who took such good care of us. I improved my Spanish and learned more about the area and culture in codo. I would highly recommend staying there for (at least) a month!

My two friends and I loved teaching the sweet kids in Codo del Pozuzo. And Hans and Dora are so kind and helpful. They brought us on trips, and to a big local birthday party! We do think that speaking some beginner Spanish is a good idea to communicate with both the kids and Hans and Dora. We definitely recommend doing this Workaway to get an authentic experience of Peru!