VOLUNTEER IN BRAZIL AT AN AGROFORESTRY & BIOCONSTRUCTION FARM

Expectations

Some behaviors and responsibilities we expect from volunteers include:

- Keep your room clean and organized

- Participate in cleaning the volunteers' house

- Participation in meal preparation

- Have motivation, disposition, and initiative

- Be punctual and respect schedules

- Respect all members of the community

To guarantee your safe and comfortable arrival our trusted driver from Nova Friburgo, Dutra, can pick you up and drop you off at the Eco Caminhos doorstep. He will wait for you in the arrival hall with a small name plate. Dutra charges R$ 900, for the 3 hours ride. We can also arrange for you to be dropped off at a specific location on your day of departure.

For the application you must access our website https://ecocaminhos.com/ and fill out the form.

There's no need to a Visa travelling inside Brazil's territory under 3 months. Over 3 months you must apply for an student one as we know this as the best and low cost option to stay.

At our eco farm, you will live and work with people from around the world. Living in a rustic setting, you will have the opportunity to make lifelong friends while learning the Portuguese language. The short-term program is ideal for people who have limited time for a long-term immersion or lack the skills to join our long-term program from the start.

In 2014, we – Hilaine, Bart, Roger, Nico and Lucas Bijen – decided to come to Brazil to create the Eco Caminhos self-sustainable farm. We are idealists with experiences in social projects, engineering, management, entrepreneurship and Brazilian youth education. We like to reach out to the masses, connect with people, and enjoy the exchange of energies and knowledge.

In the last seven years, we have received many volunteers from Brazil and all over the world.

We believe that the challenges we face and will continue to face throughout our trajectory will make us grow as human beings. We are now cooperating with the local community and inviting people with similar dreams to join us.

One of our great motivations is that Earth is in crisis. With 7.3 billion people on this planet, the world faces unprecedented challenges: polluted cities, a growing number of natural disasters, pandemics, financial crises, hungry people, war, terrorism and corruption. And we of Eco Caminhos are part of a growing counter-movement that seeks a simpler and more committed lifestyle in finding and sharing sustainable solutions. We believe in autonomous and communal living in terms of food, energy and building materials, exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences among people.

When it comes to social development, bioconstruction and sustainable living, Eco Caminhos wants to become a model to follow in Brazil and abroad. Our goal is to live in harmony with nature, produce our own food, energy and treat our own waste, while the earth grows in wealth, productivity and aesthetic beauty. In addition, we provide apprenticeship experiences for young Brazilians in social vulnerability.

Eco Caminhos is an eco farm in Brazil, situated in the beautiful mountains near Nova Friburgo, where we work with bioconstruction, agroforestry, organic farming, and permaculture. We offer volunteers the opportunity to become a part of our project and live in our international community while enjoying nature and ecotourism activities. Short-term volunteering at Eco Caminhos is an excellent way to gain practical skills and experience in agroforestry, bioconstruction, and permaculture. At our eco farm, you will live and work with people from around the world. Living in a rustic setting, you will have the opportunity to make lifelong friends while learning the Portuguese language. The short-term program is ideal for people who have limited time for a long-term immersion or lack the skills to join our long-term program from the start.

Short-term volunteers will work approximately 24 hours 3 days a week usually monday, wednesday and thursday. The work can vary between agroforestry, bioconstruction, and other jobs at the farm. On Tuesday we organize eco sport and touristic activities. We do hikes to the beautiful peaks arround the farm, visit waterfalls and natural pools, we organize mountainbike tours and visit touristic sites in the region. Thursday morning is our general meeting and we offer several presentations on permaculture, agroforestry, bioconstruction and other topics. The weekends are free however we often offer extra activities for those whole like to join. Many of our volunteers use their weekends to explore Nova Friburgo or Rio de Janeiro.

Once a week the people of Eco Caminhos unite in the evening to socialize. During these volunteer nights we usually cook together or make a fire outside, but all suggestions are welcome. What matters is that we spend time together.

What will your average day look like?

Short-term volunteers will work approximately 24 hours 3 days a week usually monday, wednesday and thursday. The work can vary between agroforestry, bioconstruction, and other jobs at the farm. On Tuesday we organize eco sport and touristic activities. We do hikes to the beautiful peaks arround the farm, visit waterfalls and natural pools, we organize mountainbike tours and visit touristic sites in the region. Thursday morning is our general meeting and we offer several presentations on permaculture, agroforestry, bioconstruction and other topics. The weekends are free however we often offer extra activities for those whole like to join. Many of our volunteers use their weekends to explore Nova Friburgo or Rio de Janeiro.

Once a week the people of Eco Caminhos unite in the evening to socialize. During these volunteer nights we usually cook together or make a fire outside, but all suggestions are welcome. What matters is that we spend time together.

Where will you be staying?

We have 2 volunteer houses. One for 5 volunteers and the other for 7 volunteers. The accommodations are basic and include the following facilities:

• Rooms for 2 volunteers
• Small kitchen
• Living room
• Washing machine
• WiFi

Included

• Basic accommodation (shared room)
• Basic food: we buy ingredients like rice, beans, pasta, coffee, eggs, milk, flour etc. Vegetables come from our own farm
• Theoretical introduction about the implementation of permaculture, bioconstruction, and agroforestry on our farm
• Hands-on bioconstruction, agroforestry, and organic farming at Eco Caminhos
• 1 activity per week, including hikes, horseback riding, campfires, and camping in the mountains *
• 1 Portuguese class per week
• Participate in volunteer nights, including board games, movies, and campfires.

* You pay for your own transport, food, and entrance fees, if applicable