Organic Amazonian chocolate making and bio-construction project in Puerto Misahuallí, Ecuador

Details

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  Description

  Hop on an exciting journey with us of building a big sustainable project in bio construction and further develop a sustainable chocolate brand and agro association, which will eventually have a huge impact on many families in Amazon rainforest.
  
  We are an agricultural association, formed by indigenous people kichwa here in Amazonia in community Union Venecia, close to Puerto Mishaualli, Napo province. It is called Mishki Runa which is translated as "Nice, sweet people" and is involved in producing cacao, providing education to local farmers and buying cacao from them at fair prices. We also produce and promote locally and internationally chocolates made from organic fino de aroma cacao under our brand Wayta. Amazon region is the birthplace of cacao tree and here we adhere to using only bio- and organic technologies that help maintain biodiversity and prosperity of the region.
  
  Association is formed by 19 partners, which includes 4 people involved in administrative work, sales and development of the brand (General Manager, President, Vice President and Secretary), others are involved in various activities depending on their professional focus (bio-construction, agricultural production, agronomy etc.)
  
  Currently we are working on building a big cafeteria, which will be used as a place to get to know more about the kichwa culture and the association, process of cacao production “from tree to bar”, participate in traditional events and many more. We are located close to touristy locations – Puerto Misahuallí and Tena, and expect both tourists and locals to be our dear welcomed guests.
  
  This is not our first bio-construction project and a couple of similar ones are already finished, but many more to come!
  
  In the construction we only use sustainable materials such as bamboo, palma chonta, which is as durable as traditional nails. Come to us to know more about the technologies of bioconstruction!
  
  Apart from bio-construction we also have ongoing activities of taking care of our the chakra plants, especially cacao, processing cacao into chocolate, promoting chocolates to local and international markets, education agriculture producers and many more. Please note that all the ongoing activities with our clients we manage by ourselves and the volunteers will not be asked to help with preparing or serving either food or drinks to paying customers.
  
  Kichwa and Spanish are our mother languages, but we can also speak with you English + French and open to learn your language!

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Language practice

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You will:
  - Endorse yourself in the culture of kichwa and even learn the language (if you want)
  - Eat traditional healthy organic food (and, of course, chocolates)
  - Learn a lot about technologies of bioconstruction
  - Participate in local events (in our culture every day is a celebration day, so don’t worry there will be a lot of fun)
  - Participate in taking care after cacao trees and other plants of the chakra (platanos, yuka, guava, papaya, narangilla + countless other plants of Amazonia)
  - Know the process of chocolate production “from tree to bar” and participate in every step (if you wish)
  - Know how to manipulate machete and become best friends with it
  - Visit beautiful places of Ecuador which are super close – Puerto Misahuallí, Laguna Azul, Tena, Baños de Agua Santa
  - Learn about medicinal plants and try them in action

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Daily activities can be the following:
  - Participating in bio-construction activities (preparing, cutting and moving bamboo for construction, cutting palm trees)
  - Participating in taking care after cacao trees and other plants of the chakra (platanos, yuka, guava, papaya, naranjilla + countless other plants of Amazon region)
  - Helping with process of producing chocolate (cutting cacao fruits, preparing seeds, fermentation, drying etc.)
  - If it is within your interests you can help us with marketing and any other admin tasks (e.g. if you know how to make beautiful photos for our website) – there are endless possibilities there, but only up to you to decide!
  
  All these activities are currently performed by members of the association, who have years of experience in each area, but need additional support due to the growth of the project.
  
  Each workawayer experience can be taylored depending on your interests and requests - just contact us!

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Spanish: Fluent
  Quechua: Fluent
  English: Intermediate
  French: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  Open to learn your language!
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  Accommodation

  You will live in a traditional house, constructed using bioconstruction technologies.
  
  The house is located in the same area as the construction where you will be involved, so it will be less than 1 minute walk in the morning. At the same time, it is a private space, which can be shared between 2 voluntaries.
  
  The location has all the amenities: bathroom and shower with running clean water, kitchen with all the appliances, bedroom with personal sink and space for luggage, fan to help with the heat and mosquito net.
  
  Food can be prepared in the shared kitchen at our place. All the fruits and vegetables gathered from the finca are free to eat at any time (yuka, platanos, papayas, beans, guava and many more). The place also has a small store with basic groceries (rice, chicken, corn, sugar, obviously chocolates etc.)

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  What else ...

  It is highly recommended to go for a longer period of time to get maximum exposure to the culture and the activities, but minimum 2 weeks.
  
  We can discuss a personalized voluntary experience plan for you to make the experience maximum tailored to your needs – just contact us.
  
  Please note that the season of peak cacao production is March-May. In other months there is cacao, but in smaller quantities. Nevertheless, bio-construction and taking care after the chakra plants are happening all year long and we can welcome you whenever.
  
  Once you are here, we will treat you as a part of our big family and help with all the questions that you have, make recommendations on your travel plans and you will be a precious guest in all the community events and celebrations.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  On average internet speed 7.3 Mbps which is more than sufficient for a simultaneous work of several people

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  Space for parking camper vans

  There is sufficient safe space to park a car

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Any pets are welcome, but please note that there might be restriction from other voluntaries participating at the same time and should be discussed in advance

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  Maximum 3 hours a day, 5 days a week

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