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27 Apr 2024
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Description
We are a middle aged Canadian/Israeli couple, who bought a farm in coastal Ecuador. It's a large farm that used to have cows on it, and our idea is to make it into an organic produce farm for vegans (which we are). The land is beautiful, rolling hills and plenty of flat areas, with about half of the property forested and the other half rapidly recovering from the cows--which means the grass, weeds and bushes are happily taking over. We've planted a few hectares of cacao, plantain, banana, coconut, maracuya, and a variety of fruit trees in the 'food forest'. There are also about 70 older, overgrown and neglected cacao trees that we are in the process of rehabilitating and are now producing a nice amount of cacao, and we are experimenting with all of the processes of making chocolate (it's so good). The plantains and bananas are also beginning to produce, and we are starting to dehydrate them. Accommodation is very simple and rustic, we live in a 70 year old 'farmhouse'...by Canadian standards it's comfortable camping. Volunteer accommodation is either a small private room in a little structure near 'our house', or a large gazebo-like structure on a hill a few hundred meters away. Both have simple bathrooms (not outhouses). Luckily the climate is perfectly suited for humans, 20-32 degrees Celsius day/night/year-round. It is humid and you sweat while working, but as soon as you stop, or move to the shade, it's comfortable.
The location is Manabi province, Ecuador. We are north of Canoa, a few kms on a dirt road to a small village (maybe 300 inhabitants, no commercial infrastructure like stores, though there is a bar for a weekend party).
About us: we are lifelong travelers, interested in just about everything, which means we ask a lot of questions and like to discuss any topic you can think of. We are absolutely not politically correct, but are straightforward, honest, curious, and open to all kinds of ideas and opinions. We like to be challenged about our own ideas, and will likely challenge yours. We are very active physically as well--farm life is great for keeping you in shape. Some examples to get a sense of our vibe: vegan, organic, hiking, climbing, yoga, meditation (Vipassana), personal responsibility, unvaccinated, not religious, detail oriented, love scientific experiments, question everything, open-minded. No drugs, pharmaceutical or otherwise.
The farm is an open book at this stage, we have developed only about 5 of the many hectares, and the possibilities are endless. If you're looking for a quiet place to eat wholesome food, work and live 'outdoors', exercise your body and your mind, come join us.
Types of help and learning opportunities
Art Projects
Help with Eco Projects
Gardening
DIY and building projects
General Maintenance
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
We are a cultural soup, having grown up in Israel/Canada and traveled extensively most of our lives, we speak English/Hebrew/Spanish. The local area is very rural Ecuadorian, friendly people that are easy to mix with as much as you'd like to. Canoa, the nearest 'town', is a surfing/beach town, with a nice variety of local and foreign tourists.
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
There is a good variety of work options, from weeding, picking, pruning, planting, cooking, building, fixing, developing, beautifying...something to suit every talent or interest. We have quite a few tools and are always up to get more (to suit a new venture, for example...we just bought our first 'melanger' for making chocolate).
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Hebrew: Fluent
Spanish: IntermediateThis host offers a language exchange
I have experience teaching ESL, and am happy to help you if you're learning.
Accommodation
Very simple accommodation, rustic. You are welcome to build/alter to your heart's content! There is a small private room in a little building near our 'house', or a gazebo structure on a hill about 200m away. Both have simple bathrooms. We are vegans and I love to cook, we try to use as much food from the farm as we can. We like a variety of ethnic dishes, Indian, Italian, Middle Eastern, Chinese, Latino, etc...we try to make it healthy and tasty, lots of spices and strong flavors. You are welcome to eat with us, or prepare your own food (we can provide ingredients, but only vegan ;))
What else ...
Ecuador is a really neat country, lots of variety, beach to dramatic mountains to jungle. The bus system is great, extensive and relatively cheap, so it's easy to go on trips--we have traveled the country quite extensively and are happy to give advice (though we haven't been to the Galapagos). Canoa is a surf beachtown, also has a para/hang-gliding launch.
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Can host digital nomads
There are occasional short (max a few hours) power outages here. We have Starlink internet and do use a generator if we have something important to do, so it's available if necessary (we don't like to run it unnecessarily).
Space for parking camper vans
We have loads of flat space, so campers/motorhomes are no problem.
Can possibly accept pets
This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
