Biodiverse Development Foundation

I was able to spend a week in August/ September 2018 at the beautiful finca which is easily accessible from Cali (Jeep drops you in front of the entrance). Most of my work was focused on developing the finca itself and driving the development towards full self-sufficiency. The tasks included building a second cabin, diggin swales on the steep hill to establish terraces for agriculture, flattening an area for camping/ tent, cleaning out the certain areas from unwanted weeds and helping around the house. I was able to learn a lot about permaculture which was very interesting to me.
Furthermore, I was lucky to take part in additional activities: ecotour to a beautiful waterfall in a nearby national park, spiritual session/ chakra alignment on the finca as well as the local community market which is also part of the BDF project (locals from the mountain area are encouraged to produce and sell their own handcrafted/ artisanal products at this market once per month).
All in all a great project in a beautiful landscape setting that allows you to learn a lot and get involved with hands-on farmwork.

Good connection from Cali.. The accommodation was good and the food delicious, mostly vegetarian but I prefer that... The information about permaculture and application of it were interesting. What I liked most were the mountain life and nature, a lot of hummingbirds! No phone network in the mountains but there is wifi at the finca (not always working because of rain) I had a great time and would like to go back

Good experience, working in touch with both the organisation and the Colombian farmers in these beautiful mountains! Maricela is a really sweet and welcoming woman and mother, full of energy and open to everyone, good opportunity to learn and improve your Spanish! I spent a time at the finca with Maricela and the other volunteers trying to improve a new sustainable farming project. Good vibes and good working spirit with the team, we spent our time in bio-construction, the purpose was to build up a nursery and various composts on a permaculture design and with bamboo in order to turn the finca in an organic productive one. The community is pleasant, they have a strong motivation to turn self-sufficient and to live in an organic lifestyle. Finally, the local market they created is beautiful and already full of good products. Hope the next volunteers will carry out and extend both the sustainable farming project and the organic market!

Me and my boyfriend had an amazing experience during our project in Colombia. The volunteer coordinator Maricela, made us feel very much at home (we even had our private wooden cabin). In the morning we waked up with the nice sound of singing birds and sometimes children ;)

During our stay we helped to build a nursery and a compost area, this was nice to learn.
Our stay and activities were well organised so we definitely recommend people the volunteer projects of the Biodiverse Development Foundation.

Thanks a lot for everything Robert and Maricela!

Abrazo!

Eva