Project Summary

Volunteer in Central America where you can help to build a sustainable home for orphans in Belize using traditional methods. You will learn sustainable and local approaches such as sandbag walls and reed composting. You and the local team will be helping orphans who are desperately trying to find somewhere to live. The young people are referred to the project by the police and social services. This self-sustainable community farm is dedicated to the promotion of self-reliance, harmonious living and above all, provide a safe, stable and healthy home for abused and abandoned girls.

This development project is bringing a sense of community to the children abandoned by the legal system while immersing them in inspiring sustainable initiatives helping to preserve local resources while enabling them to be financially independent. Importantly, this farm aims to become a transition model to inspire other community building and sustainable farming initiatives throughout Belize. Additional initiatives currently being undertaken on this project including food security sustainable agricultural practices, and preserving biodiversity through land management. 1 small dome, 4 caregiver structures, the kitchen and shower blocks have been completed and work has started on a 2 storey dwelling for 4 children. Volunteer in Belize and help to develop the community to provide better futures for these vulnerable young adults.

Why choose this project?

• Give the practical support and manpower to help develop the much-needed centre for children up to the age of 18, who under Belizean Law have to leave the foster system at age 16.
• Benefit by gaining a sense of perspective about your own life and possessions,
• Acquire an understanding of more traditional and eco-friendly approaches to building and farming.

Role of the volunteer

Volunteers will participate in construction initiatives to help finish the 2 storey structures as well as a further single dome. You will have the opportunity to assist in many aspects of construction such as tiling and building during which you will learn ecological architecture such as sandbag construction and feeder roads built with old tires. In addition, in order for the community to be sustainable, you will work on the gardens and animal activities which are being developed alongside the buildings, so that when the girls move into the home, they do not have to start these from scratch. We are constantly working to develop the farm which will in the future raise animals so you will also be involved in developing the areas to house the animals. This is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the world of sustainability!

Skills Required

As a volunteer on this project, you should be prepared to get your hands dirty and have a real enthusiasm to get stuck in wherever you are needed. Volunteers with skills and experience in construction, carpentry, gardening, masonry, electrics or plumbing or farming will be very welcome but these skills are by no means essential. Once the building phase is further along you may be asked to run job training workshops for local community members or skills training with the orphans to help them to look after the gardens and animals. You will also need a fair level of fitness to complete the manual work involved in this project.

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