Bolivia
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Hi we are David, Melanie, our 3 kids(18, 2, 0) and Lina!
We are a nice little patchwork family living in the mountains of Samaipata.
The place is located in the Bolivian mountains at an altitude of 1800 meters above sea level and 6 km outside of the village Samaipata. We live on about 7ha land, where a big part is left naturally and forest. There is a little waterfall with climbing wall, fruit trees and a panoramic view to the mystic pre-inca ruins “El Fuerte”. We strive a life in harmony with Nature. Our houses are built mostly with natural materials like mud bricks with straw and wood from our forest. We produce and sell organic mandarin juice and home-brewed beer. “Fuerte Bräu” and the juice “Liquid Sunshine” is sold at the nice Pub at the main square in the village.
We are one of the few places where you don’t have to pay for labor. We reward effort and motivation with rich vegan food, knowledge sharing and nice accommodation in private rooms (a rebuilt truck, a tower and a room). According to feedback from our previous volunteers the pure vegetable based food was a delicious and inspiring experience.
Our electricity is only from solarpower (thats why it is limited to the kitchen and workshop so its good to bring a torch) and our hot water as well (hot shower during the day).
Depending on the season and the projects which are running the work also changes.
Sometimes there is more building where we try to use as much natural materials as possible (although not entirely like foundation) like mud bricks, straw and wood- so far we have a few houses, a tower with sauna, a workshop and a new kitchen and always more ideas.
Another big part is our garden. We try to use different permacultur methods (like hot compost) but it is still a lot of learning by doing and trying for us as well.
Also since we are selling beer and juice and reusing the bottles, we always have to wash bottles on a regular basis.
The working hours depend on the weather. Sometimes on a sunny day we work more then 5 hours, but if the weather is bad it can also be less.
Since it became really important to some people nowadays to use internet regularly we want to inform you, that we don't have it here - no WiFi. We can use the internet on our phones which is quit expensive. So for a really important message we can make a Hotspot but if you need more, it is really easy in Bolivia to get a phonecard with internet for 10 or 20 bolivianos which works here on the mountain (the company is called Entel)
Please contact us when you know when you will be in Samaipata (maximum 1 month before). The minimum stay is 14 days.
Because our internet is very slow, it can take a while until we answer. So please be patient or call us directly.
We look forward to your visit
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Help with Eco Projects
The main work changes depending on the season and the projects we have started.
Gardening, building, maintenance of the land, washing bottles.
German: Fluent
English: Fluent
Spanish: Fluent
Nice accommodation in private room (up to 3 people), camping caravan (up to 2 people), tower in a room and a deck on the second floor.
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
More than two
Max 5 hours, 5 days per week
