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Organic Farming and Environmental Education on the Ecuador Coast

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Location Ecuador
Start Date Every Monday
Duration
Book now for

The Project

Volunteer on the Ecuador Coast and get involved with a unique project working to develop an Organic Farm. The farm was set up in 1994 and is situated in a beautiful valley on the mid coast of Ecuador. The farm holds a pertinent role in developing alternatives for the local Ecuadorian communities and has long been championing the use of biogas, solar power, new composting systems as well as developing local techniques such as worm culture, water recycling, reforestation, permaculture as well as organic farming techniques and environmental tourism. Incredibly, most of the locals at the farm only consume what has been produced on site, being a first in the area on so many counts.
Why the project needs you

Organic farm is privately own by an Ecuadorian and New Zealand couple who are strongly committed to environmental and community work in the valley as well as the local city of Bahia. Volunteers are needed in two areas, firstly to help in the support, maintenance of growth of the farm itself, and secondly, to provide support to environmental educational initiatives in the local community.

Project Location

The area surrounding the valley was once a dense rain forest but it has now largely been cleared for cropping and cattle farming. Prior to the Organic Farm sowing its own seeds in 1994 the farming practices in the area where fairly conventional, however thanks to the Organic Farm, new practices are being absorbed into the community with non-polluting systems starting to be put in place. The closest town to the project is the coastal town of Canoa which is about half an hours drive from the farm. Canoa is a laid back town with sandy streets. It's main attractions are for surfing and sea-kayaking. If you're feeling adventurous you can also try paragliding.

The closest city is Bahia, which is known throughout Ecuador as one of the cleanest cities in the whole of the country. Know as Bahia de Caraquez, the city is located within the district of Manabi and has suffered some terrible setbacks to its local development over the past two decades. In 1997 and 1998 Bahia suffered from two destructive natural disasters – El Nino in ’97, and an earthquake in ’98. Once the reconstructions were underway, the local residents as well as a number of NGO’s started to take steps to rebuild the city more sustainably, leading to the city being declared as an ‘Eco-City’ in 1999. Bahia has become an attractive resort over the past 15 years, due to its relative proximity between Quito (5 hours) and Guayaquil (4 hours). The city has a temperate climate averaging at around 23-36oC year round.
Project Facts

• Duration: 4 - 26 weeks
• Cost: £1285 ($2249) for 4 weeks, £175 ($306) for each week thereafter
• Requirements: Age 18+
• Location: Canoa, Ecuador
• Project activities: Sowing seeds, pricking, planting, weeding, pruning, creation and maintenance of the gardens, compost making, harvesting, pest control, recycling organic waste
• Working Hours: 08.00-16.00 Monday - Friday.
• Project Availability: Project start every Monday.
What is included

• Accommodation: Shared room in group house on site
• Food: 3 mainly vegetarian meals per day prepared using produce from local gardens
• Airport pick up and drop off
• Training: Pre-departure pack, on-site orientation and project induction included
• Support: 24-hour support
• Local SIM card: All volunteers are given a local SIM card to use in their mobile phones. The network of the SIM is Porta and your phone must be unlocked to be able to use it
• Excursions planning: Staff will help plan activities and excursions (some activities may cost extra)
What is not included

• Flights
• Insurance
• Visas
• Spanish classes available at extra cost

Role of the volunteer

Volunteers at the Organic Farm will be fully immersed into an agricultural and organic way of life and the activities during your project will reflect this. You will be involved with general agricultural activities such as sowing seeds, pricking, planting, weeding, pruning, creation and maintenance of the gardens, compost making, harvesting, pest control, recycling organic waste, simple constructions, feeding and caring for the animals on site as well as a host of other activities.

Your working day will be divided into 2 parts. Your mornings will be spent working on an agricultural initiative, then after lunch, your afternoon will be spent working on individual projects. These can be determined by the volunteers’ individual skills and interests as well as the necessities of the farm.

From Saturday afternoon, you have the weekend off where you can get involved in cultural activities such as shrimp fishing, learning how to carve, make coffee, chocolate and palm seed rings.

Long term volunteers are also needed for 6 months minimum, to teach environmental education in the region. These volunteers need a high level of Spanish. All of our teaching volunteers stay in Bahia with a local host family. Please contact us for a bespoke price for this 6 month volunteer package. Your role as a volunteer will to become immersed in the expanding educational system in Bahia where teachers and volunteers are sharing and engaging in a curriculum focusing on sustainable farming, lifestyles, conservation and recycling, with the impetus to stimulate change in the new generations of Ecuador. With your help, we hope to bring knowledge and change to the current environmentally and economically destructive practices of their parents.
Skills Required

Intermediate to advanced Spanish is required to participate in this project to enable the volunteer to get more engaged and immersed with the local way of life. This is also needed if you want to spend time assisting the local teachers in schools to help promote sustainability within the curriculum. Knowledge about the environment is desired, but not essential. Skills such as music, art and prior teaching qualifications(such as TEFL and TESOL) are also valued.

Project Quality

Kaya evaluates every project we offer to ensure that we only commit to programmes with genuine need for volunteer aid, not just financial assistance. We develop relationships with the projects and help shape initiatives to ensure in the long run that we do not encourage dependence on outside help, but rather establish foundations on which the people can build and develop themselves. We also ensure that the members of those communities are open and eager to learn and discover our culture, as we become a part of theirs. The quality and sustainability of our programmes are very important to us. We want you to have the most fulfilling and memorable time as possible, and be part of something that is going to last into future generations.

Accommodation & Meals

Volunteers stay in a home-stay or volunteer house depending on the project location, where, in most cases, they share their room with other volunteers. Shared rooms are usually single-sex. For most placements two to three meals a day are provided, all included in the placement fees. In most volunteers houses there will be a cook to prepare your food for you and a cleaner to ensure the house is clean and tidy, though in some of our locations volunteers will be expected to assist with these chores.

In-Country Coordinators

Each country coordinator is there to make sure your time in your programme runs smoothly. They will pick you up from the airport and take you on your orientation. All in-country coordinators are English speaking and are there to ensure you have all the information and resources for the best placement.

24/7 Emergency Support

As well as support from your in-country coordinators, you'll be given access to a 24/7 emergency phone line managed by Kaya staff, in case any problem should arise while you're overseas.

Kaya Help-desk

Each member of Kaya staff have worked, travelled, studied or volunteered abroad, and many staff have visited and volunteered in our projects knowing firsthand the country and nature of the programme placements. Their knowledge of international travel and volunteering is invaluable, and they can give you good advice and tips to make the most of your international placement.

Briefing Pack & Materials

Once you have booked a programme, an information pack will be sent out detailing everything you need to know - from specific project details and vaccinations required to the visa application process.

Airport Pickup

When you arrive at your destination a member of Kaya staff will meet you with a warm welcome at the airport and take you to your accommodation to get you set up for your stay.

Cultural Excursions

Kaya staff are at hand to help organise weekend excursions and activities, which can include visiting cultural places of significance and visiting various projects around the area. This way you can learn firsthand about each project and take part in local cultural and adventure activities.

Arrival Orientation

Shortly after you arrive you will be given your orientation by one of our in-country coordinators. They will show you your placement, local transport, take you into the local town, and show you things you can do in your spare time. Information regarding safety and security will be given along with some much needed lingo when moving and travelling around the area.

Language Classes

You can opt to take Spanish classes during your project, just ask your local coordinator to arrange these.

Funding for Individual Projects

If on your placement you wish to start up your own sub-project, a reasonable amount of funding will be provided. An example is: one volunteer arranged a basketball tournament for the street children where funding was provided for team shirts and trophies. This is a good chance to make your own lasting mark on a project and the people of your chosen country.

Local Community Benefits

Not only is your participation on your project of great help to the local communities, but so is the boost to the local economy that volunteers create while they are visiting.

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