Volunteering is a great way to give back, learn about the world and about yourself! We offer this volunteer option in an organic farm combined with a full immersion language learning experience.

Duration: 6 to 8 weeks: 2 to 4 weeks of Individual Spanish classes / 30 hours per week + 4 weeks working as a volunteer on an ecological farm with full immersion in the Manab&iactue; farming community doing reforestation, nursery work, sowing seeds, fruit-picking, creation and maintenance of vegetable gardens, compost making and working in an environmental school giving classes (optional).

This is a great opportunity to experience life with a rural Ecuadorian family and learn ecological farming practices.

TAURO is a Coastal Organic Farm (3 hours by bus from Manta) which is dedicated to ethical tourism, and at the same time environmental work. The program provides authentic ecotours partly as a way of supporting the many environmental projects it has created. These include the Environmental primary school and Tauro organic Farm, a paper recycling project in Bah&iactue;a de Caráquez and a scheme to conserve areas of mangroves within the estuary of Bahia.

The area once was dense and has been largely cleared for cattle farming and cropping. Some nice areas remain however, with food forest and wildlife. The farming practices are conventional using clearing, burning, and monocropping with the use of chemicals.  It is now not only being developed as a productive organic farm but it also is a model for the community. It teaches reforestation, permaculture and organic farming techniques. Tourism is another aspect of the farm, nationals and foreigners are fascinated by the cultural experience and alternative farming techniques.

Five years ago there was a crisis situation with the education of the children in the valley, and so with community participation was created a primary school. The aim of the school was not only to provide a better education than in most rural schools but also to teach environmental education. The school was built with natural materials donated by each of the parents. It has been successfully running for 5 years supported partly by the parents and partly by a travel agency with help from tourists, friends and family.

Volunteer options:
Volunteers participate in the general activities of the farm and are expected to work 8 hours a day. Some of the activities consist of :

1. Nursery work, sowing seeds and filling bags.
2. Reforestation work, planting, weeding, mulching, staking and pruning.
3. Creation and maintenance of vegetable gardens.
4. Compost making.
5. Planting and harvesting crops.
6. Work in the environmental school, giving classes (optional) and doing maintenance during the school year.
7. Planting bamboo.
8. Care of saddlery.
9. Help in preparation of food (if you are interested you can learn about local cuisine)

Two free days are given per week which can be taken in block or as desired (8 days total a month). Access by horse is provided once a week.

Lodging in the farm: Accommodation is provided in one of the sleeping areas. We supply sheets, blankets and towels. Food is prepared for students and is largely vegetarian, occasionally chicken and river shrimp. The food is typical (very tasty) and usually cooked over a wood fire. The local diet is heavy on rice, green banana and cassava (yucca).

What will you get out of volunteering?

• You will be able to contribute to a valuable environmental model for the coast and you'll have the opportunity to learn about organic farming, permaculture and reforestation.
• It will probably be one of the most authentic experiences you'll have with an Ecuadorian "native" family.
• There may be other volunteers when you go or you may be alone, in which case you will have to practice your Spanish a great deal. The family only speaks Spanish. No other languages are spoken at the farm.

Price:

6 weeks $ 1,152 USD
8 weeks $ 1,884 USD