Organic garden and museum of Kichwa culture in the Andes, Ecuador

Details

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  Description

  ENG:
  We are Luzmila and René, responsible for our project. It's a community project of 21 indigenous Kichwa families. In 2011, we bought an old textile factory, where for centuries Kichwa workers were exploited and abused, and turned it into a vivid center of Kichwa culture, including a museum of customs and traditions. We receive tourists to share with them our knowledge of our traditions, and started recently during the pandemic to dedicate ourselves to organic gardening, producing vegetables and fruits for the families of the project and also for our farm animals. We live here with our family which includes our two sons (26 and 29 years old), our daughter in law and several cats and dogs.
  As an cultural space, authentic Kitchwa museum.
  
  ESP:
  Somos Luzmila y Rene, responsables del proyecto. Nuestro proyecto incluye 21 familias de diferentes comunidades Kichwas. En 2011 compramos la antigua fabrica de tejidos y hilados San Pedro, donde mucha gente indigena fue explotada por el dueno de esta fabrica que se le donominaba El Patron. Ahora esta fabrica la hemos convertido en un museo que habla de la vida del Kichwa Otavalo, su historia y su patrimono.
  En esta epoka de la pandemia, nos hemos dedicado tambien al cuidado y trabajo de los huertos, de plantas comestibles y de plantas medicinales.
  Vivimos en familia, padres, hijos y nuera. Tenemos 1 gato, 3 perros, gallinas, ganzos, chancho, ganados para nuestra granja.
  Somos un lugar cultural, museo Kichwa, unico en Otavalo.
  
  por favor, si pueden contactanos en espanol

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  Hospitality/Tourism

  General Maintenance
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  What's this?
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  You are literally going to live in a museum, so you won't help learning a lot about the indigenous Kichwa culture. This includes traditions, way of life, clothes, Kichwa language, handicraft, music, the local history etc. You could also learn more about weaving as we have a workshop here. As you are going to live with a Kichwa family, you are going to be part of our everyday life. Whenever there are festivities like Inti Raymi, weddings, community meetings etc., you can accompany us.

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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

  René would like some help in the garden, e.g. planting and tending the vegetables and the compost, caring for the animals (cows, chicken, pigs, rabbits) and building and repairing fences. You don't have to know anything about gardening, he will show you what to do. If you have experience though and want to share it with him, he will be very happy!
  Sometimes when tourists come who don't speak Spanish, you could also help us translating.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  Spanish: Fluent
  English: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
  You can contact them directly for more information.
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  Accommodation

  You are going to have your own room with a comfortable bed and a good internet connection. The bathroom is shared. We offer you three delicious meals a day.
  Because of impact of pandemic, Museum doesn't receive income from tourism. Museum is a community project of 21 indigenous families and any government support.
  During 5 working days Monday - Friday -3 meals daily, in weekend we don't offer food, it's volunteer time off to explore Otavalo).
  
  Ofrecemos un cuarto privado con buena coneccion de internet. Por causa de pandemia, casi no recivimos turistas y tampoco no hay ayuda de govierno a instituciones cultural como nuestra.
  Durante 5 dias de trabajo Lunes a Viernes -3 comidad diarias, y en los fines de semana no ofrecemos la comida y voluntarios pueden disfrutar tiempo libre.)

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  What else ...

  The center of Otavalo is in walking distance from the museum (20-25 min). There you can find many nice shops, the famous Plaza de los Ponchos with its handicraft market, churches, cafés... Around Otavalo, there are several waterfalls, lakes, volcanos to climb on... By bus you can reach the towns Cotacachi and Atuntaqui (15 min), Ibarra (40 min) or even go to Quito (2h).

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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

  We have a very good internet connection and a quiet office for you to work. Tenemos WIFI rapido.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have plenty of space for camping cars of every size.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  Hours expected

  Máximo 5 horas al día, 5 días a la semana

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