Location
  • Colombia

Program Details

Language
English
Age Min.
18
Timeframe
Year Round
Housing
Lodge Tent
Groups
Small Group (1-15)

Pricing

Starting Price
10
Price Details
We would like to emphasize once again how valuable your contribution is as a volunteer and the fact that you are most welcome. You can make free use of all facillities offered by the the Biodiverse Development foundation and it's farm.

Your fee will include:
• Three meals a day, 5 days a week + 2 meals (breakfast and lunch) on Saturday & Sunday.
• The salary of our Colombian staff with whom you interact daily.
• The maintenance cost of the program and facilities e.g. new beds, plates, cups, utensils, building materials, farm system projects, and basic upkeep.
• Projects led by long-term volunteers and/or interns
• Unlimited Wi-fi access
• Operational costs of the project such as Colombian taxes
What's Included
Accommodation Equipment Meals Some Activities Wifi
What's Not Included
Airfare Airport Transfers Domestic Airfare SIM cards Some Activities Transportation Travel Insurance Visa
Aug 27, 2018
Oct 04, 2018
14 travelers are looking at this program

About Program

Live close to nature a sustainable (farming) experience and have the opportunity to contribute to the conservation of biodiversity and the stimulation of socio-economic development by the exchange of knowledge, experience, culture and language. Our volunteer programs are situated within the nature of Colombia at the surrounding mountains of Cali. (Parque Nacional Natural Farallones de Cali)

Currently the Biodiverse Development foundation builds infrastructure for a self-sustainable farm based on the principles of permaculture, which will provide in energy, food, education, medicine etc. This farm forms the base of the foundation as a visitors' centre for volunteers and other visitors. There is also the possibility to carry out other activities that are related to the objectives of the foundation such as teaching English, carry out reforestation projects etc. The foundation participates in connecting, developing and integrating existing initiatives.

Video and Photos

Program Highlights

  • Unique location; precious nature/landscape/biodiversity (>500 bird species)
  • Gain practical and theoretical experience in Permaculture
  • Basic level of Spanish is not a must but recommended
  • 30min. away from Cali, Colombia
  • Program fee of $42,- per day includes, besides the program, all facilities (food, accommodation, WIFI etc.)

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Program Reviews

4.50 Rating
based on 4 reviews
  • 5 rating 50%
  • 4 rating 50%
  • 3 rating 0%
  • 2 rating 0%
  • 1 rating 0%
  • Impact 4
  • Support 4.25
  • Fun 5
  • Value 4.75
  • Safety 4.75
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
Default avatar
Nikolas
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Great Permaculture & Community Development Project!

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.

86 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Franz
5/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Volunteering in Colombia

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

80 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Julliet
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Sustainable farming project

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!

78 people found this review helpful.
Default avatar
Eva
4/5
Yes, I recommend this program

Thank you!

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

83 people found this review helpful.

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