Volunteer in an Ecological & Sustainable Farm

PROJECT OVERVIEW: Finca Tocori Verde is striving to become an eco-sustainable community that can share ideas, knowledge and art with those are interested. The project's aim is to become a self sustaining farm that relies on the fertile earth and the hands that work with it to live, eat, and enjoy the Pura Vida.

Project Location

The farm is located in the Talamanca Mountains in the Limon province on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. Situated 5km from the town of Bribri on the road from Hone Creek, the farm is set in a secluded area amongst 10 to 15 other land owners in the area who are all of Costa Rican decent. The indigenous reserve that is homeland to the Bri Bri indigenous tribe is about 12km away and the town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is 10KM away.

Project requirements

Finca Tocori is a fairly new project, it requires international volunteers who are interested in sustainable development, and who are also happy to build, help and contribute ideas to the final goal of the project. This project requires volunteers with a pioneering nature as main part of the project is to help build the project.

Role of the volunteer

As a volunteer on this project you will be helping with:

• Organic gardening
• Taking care of animals
• Constructing and maintaining nature trails
• Observing, identifying chopping and planting trees
• Creating compost bins
• Construction of cabañas to hold future volunteers
• Generally helping where help is needed in ongoing projects
• Generating ideas for future projects

The roles and task set on this project will enable you to learn about the local environment and culture in a hand on approach. Volunteers on this project help make a difference by helping to create an environment where people can learn and teach ways to live in harmony with this planet.

Working Schedule

Typical day starts with breakfast at 7-7:30 am with lunch from 11-12Noon and from 12Noon to 3:30 PM. You will be working Monday to Friday with your weekends off.

Language Requirement

There is no Spanish language requirement for this project as most of the farm's core members speak English, but English is not their native language. You should at least have a basic level of Spanish to enable you to communicate with local staffs who do not speak English. All the farms main members are bilingual in English and Spanish so this presents a great opportunity to practice and learn Spanish.

Volunteer and Study Spanish Language Program

Communications

There is not telephone on the farm and the mobile coverage does not always work. You will have to go to Bribri for your communication needs. Bribri has modern amenities such as shops, internet café, bars and restaurants.

Project dress code

Please bring working clothes that you don't mind getting dirty or torn. It is suggested that your clothes be made of lightweight materials that dry easily. Long sleeve shirts and pants are suggested as well if you are sensitive to sunlight, stings and bites. You will be working on a farm so dress appropriately.

Activities close to the project

Volunteers can also go hiking to nearby waterfalls, go swimming, bird watch, go to the beach, or go to Puerto Viejo to hang out. Finca Tocori is only 40 minutes from one Costa Rica's main tourist destination of Puerto Viejo and its numerous beaches. You are also within easy reach of the indigenous BriBri reservation. You are also within 1 hour from Puerto Limon and all it routes to locations in the Limon province as well as 1 hour from the Panamanian border.

Extra Information

Program Fee: $980 for 4 weeks; then add $120 for each additional week
Start dates: Every other Friday
Accommodation: Home Stay Family including 3 meals
Transportation to project: Depending on school and host family location you can either walk or take a short bus journey. Budget $10 per week for transportation. Book Now You only need to put down $150 of your program fee as deposit.