Eco Caminhos is a self sustainable Eco-Farm in Brazil, we have been working with volunteers since the very beginning of the project, we aim to become an example of a sustainable international community guided under the principles of Permaculture, growing and producing while being in balance with nature through organic farming, renewable energy, Agroforestry and Bioconstruction, but having the support as well of some degree of modern technology which needs to be used with resposability and in moderation. We aim to help the world change in the right direction, and we welcome any help from all corners of the world.
In order to achive this in Eco Caminhos we believe healthy human development its a must, we must all learn to work hard together and respect each other’s cultures and backgrounds, we want to learn from our volunteers and for them to learn from us. Located two hours from Rio de Janeiro, in the beautiful mountains of Cardinot near the small city of Nova Friburgo we find ourselves away from the heptic rhythms of the modern system, we firmly believe this is a perfect environment for personal and community growth, we offer volunteers an amazing and unique experience, helping us in all the different sustainable projects in Eco Caminhos and eventually, with time, even having the support of the whole team to develop your own project if inspiration stikes you.
This Volunteer program is not about the work you will do on Bioconstruction, Agroforestry and Organic farming alone, it is about being part of a small but passionate community, contributing to it with your own personal touch and learning from us as well, growing as a person, discovering yourself in a natural, inspiring, hard-working and calm enviroment, we are not motivated by money or personal gain, what we want is to take care and help heal nature, human society included, would you like to help us?
What you'll be doing?
We make a custom schedule for each short-term volunteer so they really get the experience they want and need, allowing them to focus on an specific area if intended or having a wider experience of all the different projects in the farm.
Most short term volunteers choose to work 3 days, for a total of 24 hours a week, you will gain knowledge and hands on experience in Sustainable Living, Bioconstruction, Agroforestry and Organic Farming here at Eco Caminhos. You'll be learning a range of techniques both theoretical and practical on this areas, all while sharing and working next to a team of long and short term volunteers from around the world.
The other 2 days of the week plus weekends are yours to explore Brasil! Many of our volunteers choose to learn portuguese, travel in to Rio, or participate the many extra activities we can organize such as, horseback riding, hiking and many more. Your volunteer coordinator will be there to help you and organise your time in Brazil.
Starting
During your first week here the different project coordinators will give introductory presentations on the different sustainable practices we apply in Eco Caminhos, after which you will be able to join and participate in the different projects of the Eco Farm, on Bio-construction, Agroforestry and Organic Farming.
Location
Eco Caminhos is located in the beautiful inner mountains of the state of Rio de Janeiro, in the outskirts of a small rural city called Nova Friburgo. This area of Brazil is well know for being one of the world’s ecosystems with the highest amounts of biodiversity in both flora and fauna called the Atlantic Forest Biome. Eco Caminhos has several waterfalls both inside and around it, pure drinkable rivers all in the middle of truly amazing and imposing mountains, get inmersed in the magic of South American nature and the calmness that comes from it’s deep light blue skies and stary nights.
Eco Caminhos is situated at the outskirts of the 3 Picos Natural Reserve, part of the atlantic forest Ecosystem. It is a beautiful mountain region where you can do hikes, camping weekends, horseback riding and other outdoor activities. Every week we organize movie nights, games nights and volunteer nights with a campfire if possible, although volunteers live together this extra activities are awesome for integrating the team outside the work environment. Once every couple of weeks we organize a camping weekends as well.
Volunteers are free to do or go anywhere during their free time, still we organize extra activities they can choose to participate on, some free such as some hikes, others that have extra expenses need to be payed, like horseback riding trips.
You can also decide to go to the nearest town, Nova Friburgo, by yourself or with the other volunteers. A very calm and friendly town with a good infrastructure, a well-structured city with 180.000 inhabitants, far more secure than Rio de Janeiro. There is a busstop 500 meters from the farm that goes there every few hours.
Or you can also take a three hour bus to Rio de Janeiro and spend your weekend there enjoying all that one of the most famous cities of Brazil has to offer.
- Training & hands-on Workshops, you will recieve comprehensive support from our project leaders on site. You will be able to really learn from them and gain practical skills on Bioconstruction, Organic Farming and Agroforestry, knowledge that you will take away for a lifetime.
- ingredients for all meals will be provided. Please note you may have to cook some meals as you will be in the cooking schedule.
- Portuguese Lessons, We feel its important to become as integrated into the culture as possible and a 'bom dia' a day goes a long way! We will provide one hour of free portuguese lessons from native portuguese speakers for every week you stay with us. (More available on request).
- Support & extra Activities, We also schedule weekly activities such as hikings, bonfires, workshops, museum & park visits and much more! (Just some of this activities will require extra fees) Our support team will be there for you every step of the way, we will do our best to provide you with info with anything you need, from your flights & visas to organising your weekends and trips.
- Two housing options, at the volunteer compound or with a local Brazilian family
- WiFi: internet access at the volunteer houses
NOT INCLUDED
Airport Transfer: If requested we can put you in contact with our trusted driver Dutra, he can pick you up at the airport and leave you at Eco Caminhos doorstep. This however is not included, but Dutra charges R$ 800 (approx 153 Euros).
-You can decide to live with other volunteers at the volunteer house, shared room mostly depending of available rooms. The house has all the basic needs. All meals are included and volunteers take turns cooking lunch during work days. There’s WiFi and serveral Volunteer Night Activities.
-Another option is to homestay with a selected family next to the farm. These rural families are very nice and connected to Eco Caminhos. It will allow you to submerge in the Brazilian rural culture, food and customs, plus you will be able to practise your Portuguese on a daily basis. (for homestay we charge an aditional cost)
Volunteer House:
- The volunteer compound has 2 houses, 2 kitchens and 6 double bed rooms.
- Shared Room
- It has all the facilities you need including WiFi and clothes washing machine.
- The perfect place to make friends and hang out after a long but rewarding day of work.
Homestay
- You will stay at the house of a local, carefully selected Brazilian family.
- Private Room
- The families offer you your daily meals. (When the family is not at home ingredients will be left for you, but it is expected that in this case volunteers cook for themselves)
- All homestay families are very close to the Eco Farm.
- Homestay is the perfect way to submerge yourself in Brazilian culture, food and the Portuguese language.
Volunteer compound
-We provide volunteers with the ingredients/budget for all their meals.
The tropical weather at Eco Caminhos allows us to recieve volunteers all year long, only depending on the number of available rooms and required positions.
If you are interested we can do an online interview to get to know each other and answer all your questions.
Short Term in a self-sustaining Eco Farm
Join and experience life on a self-sustaining Eco Farm. A unique experience, Bioconstruction, permaculture, agroforestry, hikes in the mountains and camping weekends.
$250/week
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