This wonderful volunteer project is much more than just a farm. The ecological Farm was created in 2017. The Eco Farm is a place that values sustainability, healthy living, community work, ancient Mayan traditions and environmental protection. It beautifully combines aspects of ancient Mayan culture with the challenges of modern society. Approximately 25 people work at the ecological Farm and the doors are open to the habitants of San Felipe de Jesús, Antigua and surrounding communities.
The Placement
For example, the farm uses ancient Mayan techniques and their sacred geometry to plant fruit and vegetables. In the Eco Farm, community members can learn more about this technique, actively participate or use it on their own small farm. The rich harvest of the Eco Farm is sold in the farm shop. Volunteers interested in learning more about Mayan culture can expand their knowledge here. Of course, there are also animals on the Eco Farm and dogs, ducks, geese, rabbits, chickens, roosters, pigeons and chompipes (turkeys) find a home on the farm.
In addition to the sustainable production of fruit and vegetables and the care of the animals, the Eco Farm serves as a community center.
Here the community members, especially children and women, find a place to develop personally and physically. Exciting workshops are offered on topics such as construction, crafts, arts, games, sports, yoga, permaculture, photography, cooking classes, healthy food, entrepreneurship, English classes, dance, recycling, first aid, survival techniques, astronomy, etc. The aim is to provide women and children with skills and practical knowledge for daily life in a simple and dynamic way, so that they can be more independent in the future and improve their quality of life. A clear focus is on environmental education - a major challenge in our time. Children are encouraged to connect with themselves through wonderful holistic, dynamic and artistic activities. A unique and fun experience where they can enjoy nature, play freely, flourish and learn for life. There are also fun activities such as soccer, volleyball, rock climbing, capoeira and an area for yoga and meditation.
The Location
The Eco Farm is located in the community of San Felipe de Jesus, just 5 minutes from Antigua. San Felipe de Jesus is known for the church "Iglesia de San Felipe de Jesús", one of the most distinctive churches in all of Guatemala. This temple has beautiful colors, its central bell tower stands out with its bells and clock. This colorful church looks like it stepped out of a children's book.
Antigua is a beautiful colonial town in the south of Guatemala about an hour from the capital, Guatemala City, and surrounded by perfectly shaped volcanoes. Antigua is one of the most visited places in Central America. The city is famous for its Spanish colonial buildings, picturesque courtyards, interesting markets, beautiful churches and a colorful labyrinth of streets. The city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage since 1979. Antigua is located in the highlands of Guatemala at about 1,600 meters above sea level. Antigua has an abundance of tour operators and agencies that offer exciting tours to all parts of the country. Whether you want to get to know the jungle, the Mayan culture, the Pacific coast or you are looking for cultural activities, in Antigua you are guaranteed to find someone who organizes exactly what you are looking for.
Antigua has an average daily temperature of 20 °C all year round, while the nights are quite cool. The rainy season is from June to October, the dry season from November to May.
What we expect
Please do not put prejudices of the foreign culture and other people into your luggage. You do not need that during your stay abroad! On the contrary, tolerance is a very important feature if you want to be successful and have fun while volunteering abroad. Respect the foreign culture, the other habits and the different mentality with great respect. While the other way of working may not always make much sense in your eyes, the goal of volunteering abroad is not to criticize or smile at people for acting and doing, but to work with them for a good cause.
On a trip abroad, especially in developing countries, you leave your home comfort zone. It is very important that you are ready to adapt to a different life situation. In Latin America, you certainly will not find the usual standards of home again. Especially volunteer projects in developing countries are often located in very secluded areas in the middle of beautiful nature or you live with a local host family, who belongs to a foreign culture. But that's the exciting thing about volunteering abroad! Immerse yourself in a foreign land, experience culture, traditions and people up close, learn from them, just let go and adapt to the other life circumstances. A unique experience that will mature and grow you as a person!
In a voluntary work, the team idea is always over self-interest. Working in a team is fun and brings good mood and variety! So, for your volunteer work abroad, you should bring along a great deal of team spirit, because you always work together with other people, be it volunteers from other countries or local project staff. However, when so many foreign and diverse cultures meet, teamwork can become a whole new challenge. Even more important, that you have the ability to communicate in a group, work constructively and fairly and do not want to punch through your will at all costs.
- Be helpful and responsible
For most projects, volunteers who "do a good job" are most appreciated. By participating in a voluntary service abroad, you are consciously choosing to work in another country. You are not on a vacation trip. So, you have choosen to offer your help and valuable time to other people, nature protection or animals welfare. What really matters is your helpfulness! A really very important and unavoidable trait is the sense of responsibility. The volunteer project is counting on your support and your cooperation has been tightly scheduled. A high level of responsibility is the alpha and omega. During your volunteer work in Latin America, you are assigned to certain areas of activity that you must do on your own. Please take your role as a volunteer very seriously and carry out your tasks in the project conscientiously and carefully.
Be prepared for the fact that volunteering in Latin America is much different from what you know or are used to at home. The Latin Americans have a completely different order, time and work understanding. Even their logic of approaching certain things may not always make much sense in your eyes. The different language and culture can quickly lead to misunderstandings or communication problems. An important principle for you: always be flexible and spontaneous! You will soon realize that there is a solution for all situations and that you can quickly develop a plan B from a problem.
- Be proactive and take initiative
During your voluntary work abroad, do not expect someone to explain to you in a big way what needs to be done, where and when. Often there is only a brief introduction and then your proactivity and initiative are asked. Get actively involved, offer your help and see where you can best apply your skills and strengths. It is always great when volunteers constructively and friendly affix ideas and suggest their own small projects.
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