David

Canada
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Profile information

Travel information
I am currently
At home
Description
I love learning, exploring, and developing new skills. I’m a very simple and down-to-earth individual who enjoys being outside in nature, learning about different people and cultures, trying his hand at different languages, and simply working hard to make the world a better place. I’m open to connecting and to participating in many different tasks and jobs.
Interests
Yoga / Wellness
Writing
Winter sports
Water sports
Vegetarian or vegan
Sustainability
Self development
Sailing / Boating
Politics / Social justice
Plant care
Photography
Outdoor activities
Nature
Mountain
Languages
History
Hiking
Gardening
Farming
Dancing

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Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
French: Intermediate
Spanish: Beginner
Japanese: Beginner
More details about my language interests
Interested in practicing my Spanish!
Find a language buddy
Skills and knowledge I'd like to share or learn
I'm interested in:
Life at a Farmstay
Eco Projects
DIY and building projects
Animal Care
Some knowledge of:
Gardening
Helping around the house
Languages
Helping with Computers/ Internet
Creating/ Cooking family meals
More details about your skills
- Bachelor’s degrees in Science and Computer Science
- Volunteered in India for 2 months helping elementary school students with math and English
- Taught English in Japan for 1 year at the high school level
- Gardening and basic landscaping experience (planting, shoveling, trimming trees and plants, weeding)
- Cooking experience
- Volunteered at a homeless shelter helping to prepare meals and serve people
- Can clean, do general repairs and maintenance, look after pets and animals, and other miscellaneous tasks
Age
31
What else ...
Love reading and doing anything outdoors (hiking, running, climbing, canoeing/kayaking/being on the water)
Some more information
- Smoker
- Driver's licence
- Allergies
- Special dietary requirements
  Vegetarian

Feedback

27 Jun 2023

Left by host (Help at our eco project and ...) for Workawayer (David)

Estoy muy feliz de haber tenido la oportunidad de conocer y compartir nuestro proyecto con David por ser una persona maravillosa. Muy respetuoso. Participativo. Participo activamente en todas las actividades planificadas en la finca y con la Universidad Estatal Amazónica. Junto a sus compañeras de grupo. Izabela y Helen . Estoy muy agradecida por… read more

(Excellent )

26 Jun 2023

Left by Workawayer (David) for host (Help at our eco project and ...)

I had a phenomenal experience at the Finca.

I stayed there for 2 weeks and helped mostly with identifying plants in the forests, which they're doing both for biology research purposes and for future reforestation projects.

Lupe, Pato, and their whole family are incredibly nice and are wonderful hosts. Lupe would take us to the market every… read more Sunday to buy food for the week, and she gave us great suggestions of day-trips to do on weekends or small outings to do during the week. She would even help us organize the trips, such as by calling taxis for us, or things like that.

Pato really lives and breathes the projects at the Finca. He is so passionate and knowledgeable about the work and the mission at the Finca, and it was a pleasure to work with him and contribute to the projects. He also has a growing number of connections with students at the local university in Puyo (Universidad Estatal Amazonica). We had the opportunity to meet many of the students, and go on night walks with them into the forest to find frogs and different insects, which the students do either to learn or to help with different research projects. It was so cool helping them learn (and also learn ourselves!) about the incredible diversity in these Amazonian forests! Although this was probably uncommon, we also had the opportunity to attend a small fair at the university, which the Finca was taking part in. It was awesome seeing all the interest of the local students in the Finca's work, but in addition, we also had the chance to see some presentations by other students, professors, and local indigenous leaders about issues related to the Amazon and climate change, which was incredibly interesting and unique!

In general, Lupe and Pato are very welcoming, kind, and hospitable, and in addition to our volunteer work, I really valued just talking to them over breakfast or dinner, learning about their lives and life experiences, and sharing in their passion for conservation and learning. They really do everything they can to make you feel comfortable, cared for, and like you are a part of the family. Their food is delicious, and you can ask them anything or help them out with cooking or other chores if you'd like.

One thing to note is that they speak mainly Spanish, so having a basic grasp of Spanish or ideally being conversational will go a long way. Another note is that the actual cost to stay at the Finca is more than $5 like it says on Workaway. However all the costs of the volunteer fees go into the projects and helping to support the Finca and the family. Even though they are a conservation project, they don't get any funding from the Ecuadorian government and still have to pay full property tax for all of their land, so the money you pay is going to a good cause.

Overall, my experience at the Finca really enriched my time in Ecuador and I'm extremely grateful for the time I spent there. I'd definitely recommend volunteering with them and, personally, I would go back in a heartbeat!

Muchas gracias Lupe y Pato!

(Excellent )