Experience rainforest living and help with permaculture in Puyo, Ecuador

Details

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  Description

  I am a 43 year old Australian absorbing the best of Ecuador. My Canadian husband and I have owned a 80ha property in Pastaza, 40 mins from Puyo for 5 years. The land is at the foothills of the Andes in the Amazon rainforest and is an incredible land with so much potential. With 80%+ dedicated to conservation and regeneration, we have cultivated some disturbed land for a small citrus and fruit plantation, approx 4 acres including two 140m2 Greenhouses. Also on the land is a 100x mature and producing tree cacao plantation and 3ha of Bamboo Gigante for future construction material. We are blessed with an abundance of fresh rainwater filling many flowing streams and Rio Anzu which flows in-front of the property. The rainfall is expected 300 days per year on average with temperature at 26c during the day and 17 at night throughout the year. Generally, we don't have wet and dry seasons only slightly wetter and drier months mixed throughout the year. Our growing season for producing veg and fruit is generally year-round due to our elevation and weather maximizing our potential.
  We are looking for like-minded people who could live on the land in comfortable accommodation to do tasks up to 4 hours per day for 5 days a week offering a knowledge in permaculture. The food producing area is providing produce however we would like to maximize its production and better develop its design for better output and diversity. We also would like to learn and grow with volunteers to share and benefit from the changes. We have a duplex for volunteers with separate fully equipped kitchen. One of the rooms would be available to volunteer or a couple. We would provide a contribution for food costs, all utilities and internet are covered, and use of a vehicle is also available. The role would begin as soon as possible however we are content waiting for the right fit based on experience and dynamic for the property. We are located in a small community and are 40 mins from Puyo, the capital of Pastaza. Any applicants should understand they should be able to enjoy the semi-isolation and have other hobbies to occupy their time. The land is remarkably beautiful and is an incredible place to connect with nature. With many trails to different areas of the land and the river, animals are abundant and can be appreciated in this heaven. We work closely with the local community and have a passion to contribute, share and learn their knowledge and techniques in farming, plant medicine and co-existence with the jungle. We are excited to share this magnificent land with others who have a love and respect for nature and willingness to develop a permaculture plan to nourish and enrich the existing area. We have two furry friends, a dog and a cat on the land which we would like to adapt to others on the land and encourage interaction with them:)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Charity Work

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Help around the house

  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

  We live in a Kichwa community and assist and share with our Neighbors. We encourage interactions with the community through social projects and cultural learning. We aim to provide more food produce and a sustainable future though the production of bamboo to keep providing work opportunities and better the wellbeing of neighbors. We are expanding our knowledge of different plant medicines and have the respect of the community to continue sharing their wisdom. We encourage authentic interactions and awareness of their traditions and cultural traditions.

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  Help

  Volunteers would be expected to help 5 days a week for approximately 4 hours a day. It does rain consistently, and this would be considered with availability to complete jobs. We are very easy going and encourage a social balance with workawayers. A plan would need to be established for permaculture techniques and put in practice to better the cultivated areas. We currently grow many citrus plants as well as guanabana, pineapples, dragon fruit, grenadier, jackfruit and other exotic fruits, a wide variety of vegetables in and around the greenhouses, herbs, spice plants and medicine plants. We would like to maximize the produce to provide for the people living on the land as well as the local community. We aim to learn and share knowledge to grow and better our skills with our volunteers. Someone with handyman maintenance/ building skills would be an advantage for the property also.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Intermediate

  This host offers a language exchange
  My husband and I are developing our Spanish and would appreciate continuing to learn through continued conversation. General conversation can be managed but we need to continue to develop our language growth.
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  Accommodation

  We offer a room in a volunteer duplex. It is modern and well maintained. The evenings are generally cool enough to sleep well. The accommodation has a ceiling fan if required but air conditioning is not installed. One room has a double bed and the other a bunk with double and a single bed. Hot water, clean drinking water, electricity and very fast internet is available. A separate kitchen is well equipped and will allow a space to relax. The home includes a washing machine and a maloca for evening fires. We offer a contribution for food also.
  
  We will provide a $40 per week allowance for shopping. The property has two greenhouses and many fruit trees which will be at the disposal of the volunteers also. We will provide staples such as, rice, pasta, cooking oils, salt pepper etc. The anticipation is to have the permaculture volunteers help up to 4 hrs per day, weather dependent for no more than 5 day per week. With the applicant's skills we hope the greenhouses and farmable land will provide an abundance of food that they can use to consume. We are happy for couples and small families to stay under the same conditions even if only one person is helping.

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  What else ...

  We are very approachable, down to earth people who love to share this remarkable land. We are open to a single volunteer or a couple to make the living environment more enjoyable. There is a bus which runs 3 times per day to Puyo 1hr approx. Tena/Archidona is approximately 1hr away also. We have another property 13 mins away with 3 waterfalls and beautiful walking paths to explore. If you are into nature there is an abundance of beautiful birds, incredible insects and shy but visible monkeys and other mammals throughout the protected land to appreciate. We only ask that applicants respect the land its flora and fauna, our pets and the locals that work on the property. The river is abundant with fish and there are many remarkable private swimming areas in the clear clean waters. Other hobbies are recommended to pass the time when it is raining or in-between tasks and relaxation.

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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 are living in a developing country. Although the internet speed is great, we occasionally lose electricity and internet.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  We are all about community and welcome travelers with pets. We do have a wonderful cat which was left on the property by a builder after the completion of the house construction. We prefer no more cats due to their natural need to hunt. Dogs are always welcome to join the land if they are not aggressive.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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