Río Muchacho now has an important role in demonstrating alternatives like biogas, solar power, composting systems, worm culture, water recycling, reforestation and forage systems, permaculture, organic farming techniques and environmental tourism. The farm now receives many community and student groups who come to learn about these alternatives.

Volunteers at Río Muchacho participate in general activities, related to agriculture, education and visits, and have as similar timetable as the family and other workers on the farm. Some of the activities will include:
• Nursery work, sowing seeds, filling bags, pricking out.
• Reforestation work, planting, weeding, mulching, staking, pruning.
• Creation and maintenance of vegetable gardens.
• Compost making.
• Planting, harvesting crops.
• Work in the environmental school, (see below and in the “our projects” section of the web page) maintenance or giving classes English, art, sport
• help in the preparation of food (especially if you are interested to learn about typical food)
• making banana circles
• Simple construction
• Artwork, translating, preparation of info and materials for the school
• Preparation for groups of visitors (groups of farmers from different parts of the country sometimes stay over night)
• Painting
• help in feeding and caring for the animals.
• feeding worms and separating worms from the humus.etc.
• Weeding and applying liquid fertilizer Planting sugar cane
• teaching/working at the Environmental School

Near Machalilla National Park and Reserva Ecologica Mache-Chindul

if at beginner level of Spanish two weeks in Quito for Spanish lessons are recommended.

We prefer a one month commitment, so that you can learn the ropes and so that there is some continuity for the family/ animals and plants.

Prefer that volunteers start at the beginning of the month as we do an orientation program which will help you on your stay.

Two days free are given per week- Saturday afternoon, Sunday (the same day as the family and workers on the farm). The other half day is a "cultural afternoon " midweek which may be to go fishing shrimp or to learn how to carve mate, make coffee, chocolate, palm seed rings etc. The rest of the afternoon is yours.

Volunteers pay US $ 350 per month for food and lodging.

Vida Verde will provide and send a Spanish instructor along with a group of at least 4 people (minimum 40hr lessons per week) while volunteering at the farm

$7.50 group class/ per student on farm
$5 group lessons in Quito per student; recommended to arrive together as a group on same level
$7.50 one on one in Quito

• Nursery work, sowing seeds, filling bags, pricking out.
• Reforestation work, planting, weeding, mulching, staking, pruning.
• Creation and maintenance of vegetable gardens.
• Compost making.
• Planting, harvesting crops.
• Work in the environmental school, (see below and in the “our projects” section of the web page) maintenance or giving classes English, art, sport
• help in the preparation of food (especially if you are interested to learn about typical food)
• making banana circles
• Simple construction
• Artwork, translating, preparation of info and materials for the school
• Preparation for groups of visitors (groups of farmers from different parts of the country sometimes stay over night)
• Painting
• help in feeding and caring for the animals.
• feeding worms and separating worms from the humus.etc.
• Weeding and applying liquid fertilizer Planting sugar cane
• teaching/working at the Environmental School

N/A

Food and Lodging

Airfare,Insurance

Help the Environment {Ayuda para el Medio Ambiente}

Moderate

Any age - family activity