Volunteer in Sustainable Agriculture in Brasil
Volunteering is a way to make a difference with quality, fun and learning. With our care and attention, we guarantee that you can feel the lifestyle of the countryside, acquire new knowledge and obtain unique experiences. We are sure you will feel strong emotions, from the beginning to the end.
Volunteer Programs
Purpose
Working alongside farmers from the local community to strengthen organic farming, in order to create a mindset about the importance of healthy eating. Our program focuses on spreading the benefits of good nutrition and the valor of the lifestyle in the countryside, sharing the discovery of ancient flavors and the natural rhythm of nature. Therefore, we have implemented a new cycle of the environment, which benefits both consumers and fruits, vegetables and legumes without forcing its rapid growth, when they are at the peak of their nutritional properties. Following this thought, the volunteer will also learn the history and culture in a simple and traditional village.
Change
Each volunteer will work directly with professionals involved in the process. This involves areas of production and harvesting of agricultural products. It also involves work in local infrastructure, through knowledge and identification of plants and animals, soil maintenance and various other activities with the local community to train and prepare the development of a social integration that is more just, natural and healthy.
Action
The participation of volunteers in our project is always rewarded with a donation of food to hundreds of needy children, thus ensuring a better future filled with hope. Hunger causes irreversible damage and affects the mental and physical development of the hungry children who then have difficulty in concentrating on their school work. In addition, they are much more likely to be sick. Therefore, volunteers efforts will be rewarded by an exchange of experiences, making possible the smile of a child.
Location
Ibirama , Brazil
The base of the project is in the city of Ibirama – it is in an hour out of Blumenau (the city with the most German descent in Brazil) - where the sun shines strong during the day and temperatures are pleasant at night. For the love of nature and the desire to convey this feeling in the little things of life, the activities in the countryside are unforgettable experiences. Here you will live with the typical settlers who develop family farming, cultivation of land, the creation and collection of fruit by simple and manual form. Moreover, you will learn organic farming techniques and you can feel the taste of the land by cultivating necessary food for the self-sustaining lifestyle of survival.
Quick Facts
Official Language:
Portuguese
Population:
200,4 Million
Capital:
Brasilia
Land Area:
Religion:
74% Roman Catholic
Currency:
Brazilian Real
Literacy Rate:
91%
Program Details
Program Details
Highlights
The program valorization of natural and organic agriculture has developed with authenticity for the volunteer to have the pleasure to participate, enjoy and experience a bit of the simplicity of country life through touch and smell. In addition, volunteers can participate in cultural and tourist activities by learning a new language, working in field activities and administrative areas, together with experiencing a new culture, participating in sports and observing nature in a new light.
A Day as a Volunteer
- 7:00 to 7:30 Traditional breakfast
- 7:30 to 12:30 Volunteer work in agriculture
- 1:00 to 14:00 Traditional lunch
- 14:00 to 16:00 Cultural Activities
- 16:00 to 18:00 Work on improving trails or soil
- 19:00 to 20:00 Dinner
Volunteer Activities
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Soil preparation
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Trail Maintenance
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Cleaning orchards
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Improving the infrastructure
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Work with family farmers and with the community
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Support in collecting food for community schools
Accomodation
In Ibirama, the project is in an area of 200 thousand square meters characterized by tranquility, direct contact with nature, structure for sport and leisure and sustainable agricultural activities. The property has five rooms with a large kitchen, meeting areas, two complete bathrooms and two additional without shower areas. In addition, there are storage space where food, baggage or other thing can be kept. In relation to the area of cultivation of legumes, fruits and vegetables, there is a space of ten thousand meters of pure production. Making a general account, it generates more than 15 tons of food per month. The property also features Internet as well as pure and abundant water from the forests to use for general services, such as laundry.
Meals
Food is included during the participation of volunteering and it is based on traditional field dishes using natural and organic products. The project offers a traditional kitchen with firewood stove inside a ranch and cooking of the food is carried out with the old-style wood. The diet is based on fish, eggs, vegetables, potatoes, rice, meat, beans, cheese, milk, butter, bread and traditional sweets. All food is shared in a communal table where volunteers can pass good moments with the host family. Vegetarian volunteers can apply to the project, but we recommend buying their own products, preparing their own meals, and relying heavily on food from the field. It is important to mention that for rural people the concept of vegetarianism means only avoiding red meat. Finally, we suggest boiling water as it is not drinkable and using water bottles for personal consumption.
What's Included
- Pre-arrival information and support
- Workshop to highlight aspects of the project
- Workshop orientation about safety, location and culture
- Coordination pick up service from the airport
- 24-hour emergency phone
- Long term experienced staff
- 24/7 in-country support
- Safe accommodations
- Accommodation and food
- Safe Projects
- Monitoring and regular check-ins during the volunteer program
- International phone call in EVF’s office
- Local phone calls from our office in Quito
- Certificate of Participation
What's Not Included
- International Airline tickets or fees related to travel
- Visa costs and expenses related to the necessary paper work
- Cost for Airport pick-up service
- Travel insurance
- Costs associated with vaccinations and personal medications
- Meals or food outside of the program
- Local transportation
- Expenses related with cultural and/or tourist activities
- Personal expenses / Items for personal
