Help us to make our agroecological farm green again in Combuyo, Bolivia

Details

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  Description

  Be part of our experimental agroecological farm in the Bolivian country side
  
  Buenas, I am Noemi and I came to Bolivia to start this heart project of mine over 25 years ago. I’m running an experimental agroecological farm with 23 hectares in 3 different places located within the semiarid valleys of Cochabamba. My team consists of a few local employees working on the farm and we’re joined by international and local students who are researching and writing their thesis within their own projects and last but not the least by the workawayers that join us through this platform - all co-working, exchanging and learning together about agroforestry and agroecology. Through this work, the 23 hectares that form this place are recovering their ecological value, thanks to the application of agroforestry systems coupled with agroecological measures.
  Here we are proving that it is possible to produce fruits and vegetables without agrochemicals, simply applying the ancestral knowledge about sustainable agriculture that agroecology is providing us with. This technique is proving to be able to improve the productivity of the land and at the same time being ecologically sustainable. We have therefore contributed not only to recover soils and biodiversity at the semiarid valleys of Cochabamba, but also to promote organic food and are aiming economic stability.
  In 2017 our project suffered a terrible fire. From that moment on, our team decided to reformulate the project and transform it into an institute. This decision was founded in the desire to use all the wisdom accumulated during all these years, as well as our strong motivation to keep promoting agroecology as a tool for recovering the vulnerable ecosystem of the Semiarid Andean valleys of Bolivia.
  In 2023 another fire destroyed about half of our land so we are actually planting small trees.
  
  Now we want to start a new chapter in the projects history and get our restaurant and event place going, where we aim to promote healthy and good food from agroforestry sources and share the enjoyment and knowledge with our guests.
  
  We want to share our knowledge and experiences with all the people who are interested and willing to contribute within our project in order to prove that it is possible to live in harmony with Mother Earth, here we say in Quechua pachamama. And that’s where you come in - help us on our mission to make a difference.
  
  Which areas do we work in?
  
  Implementation of agroforestry systems, preparation and application of Terra Preta and Chipped Rameal Wood, use of Kon-Tiki, general maintenance tasks of the farm, application of the output of dry toilets in agroforestry, residual waters management...
  
  What are your activities?
  
  The activities here depend on the seasons:
  January - last planting of young trees, cleaning of agroforestry plots.
  February: cleaning of agroforestry plots, cutting of grass and herbs, cutting of saplings
  March: Cutting grass, herbs, and shrubs, activities in the nursery
  April: Cutting grass, herbs and shrubs, collection of tree seeds, sowing in the nursery
  May: Collecting tree seeds, sowing in the nursery, watering the young trees
  June: Pruning of side trees, watering of young trees, grafting of fruit trees
  July: pruning of fruit trees and shrubs, production and cultivation of cuttings, watering of young trees
  August: Collection of irrigation water, pruning of fruit trees and shrubs, watering of young trees.
  September: Planning of new agroforestry plots, collection of irrigation water, watering of young trees
  October: preparation of new agroforestry plots, collection of irrigation water, watering of young trees
  November: implementation of new agroforestry plots, planting of young trees, collection of irrigation water, watering of new plantations
  December: Planting of young trees, collection of irrigation water, watering of new plantations (if it does not rain).
  Throughout the year you can help in vegetable gardening, animal care (donkeys, llamas, chickens, bees, guinea pigs) and in the tree nursery, all year-round Terra Preta and Fragmented Rameal Wood are produced to improve soil fertility.
  We work Monday to Friday from 08:00 - 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:00 an on Saturday from 08:00 to 12:00. In compensation volunteers are welcome to take other days off completely, for example to go on an excursion.
  Please bring: Sleeping bag, torch, toilet paper and all what you like for breakfast.
  In exchange for helping with our daily activities, accommodation, lunch, and dinner are free and will be provided by the cook Doña Crecencia (except Sunday). Breakfast must be provided by the participants themselves. You can get everything for it in the village of Combuyo.
  More information: ask us for the website
  Direct contact: noemi- ask us for the contact details
  As soon as you register, you will receive a description of how to find us
  At this project, we strive to give the people who support our work all the knowledge about restoration agriculture, agroforestry and many other practices for a life in harmony with nature.
  If you could answer the following questions:
  What are your skills and what do you want to take with you after your stay in this project
  
  
  Which are the working conditions?
  
  As long as the volunteer participates in the daily tasks, lunch, dinner (only on the working days) and accommodation will be provided for free. Please bring your sleeping bag, gardening gloves and toilet paper. On non working days you need to buy your meals.
  
  See you soon! :)
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
  
  The benefit for the travelers will be to know how (dynamic) agroforestry systems work, learn about agroecological techniques and the preparation of Terra Preta, meet international people, get to know locals and their traditions in the rural areas... This is a great place to learn outdoors about how nature really works and how we can adjust to climate change.
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  Help
  
  Fundraising experience welcome!
  -We would be happy to receive financial support for the ecological and social work we are doing - come and help us with that.
  
  You‘re a organizer? We‘re glad if you are the happy person that keeps everyone connected, organizes the work that’s on the list and meetings with coffee prepared.
  
  Help to do the work in the agroforestry systems, pruning of the trees, cutting the herbs, give Terra Preta to the fruit plants, update our website, build some furniture from our own wood, or simply what’s on the map when you arrive.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance

  Help with Computers/ Internet
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  UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve

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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  The benefit for the travellers will be to know how (dynamic) agroforestry systems work, learn about agroecological techniques and the preparation of Terra Preta, meet international people, get to know locals and their traditions in the rural areas... This is a great place to learn outdoors about how nature really works.

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  Help

  Help to do the work in the agroforestry systems, prunning of the trees, cutting the herbs, elaborate Terra Preta and to aplay it to the fruit plants, update our website, build some furniture from our own wood, build a playground for children and adults, stroke our lamas and donkeys ...

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  German: Fluent
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent
  French: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  The kids here in rural school learn only a bit English, but this language is so important for their life, so we always try to help learning English to them who are interested in.
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  Accommodation

  We have four rooms; three with three beds and one room with a double-bed for couples. Please bring your own sleeping-bag.

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  What else ...

  You can reach us easily by public transportation; please send me an email to and I will responde with a description how to find us. Time off may be used to climb the 5.035 meters high pico-Tunari , explore Quillacollo campesino-market, take a walk in company of our lamas or just relax observing the different species of animals and plants that live here.

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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

  Reliable wifi is avalable in all rooms and common aereas.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  We have a lot of space for parking campervans or motorhomes.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  5 hours a day, 5 days a week

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