* Foreign exchange rates are provided as a convinience only. The actual rate you pay may vary.
Description:
One of the main goals of CoffeeWorks is for every volunteer tourist to experience a rich exchange of culture and knowledge as they live, learn, work and play alongside community members.
Primary Project:
When you come to be a volunteer tourist in El Airo with CoffeeWorks your primary focus will be to assist an organic coffee farmer with his or her day to day farming tasks related to:
Coffee
If you come during harvest (between May and August) your contribution will be of significant impact because sometimes farmers cannot harvest and process the coffee beans as quickly as they ripen. During this time you will learn every step of the coffee process including harvesting, de-pulping, fermenting, washing, drying, sorting, toasting and grinding.
If you come outside the harvest season you will learn and help with other coffee-related tasks including selecting coffee seeds (beans), pruning, clearing land, de-weeding, more... creating organic pesticides and distinguishing between coffee varietals. You also will get to learn how to take the parchment off dry beans and toast and grind those beans.
Other Crops & Activities
No matter what time of year you come there will be work and opportunities to learn about a variety of crops. You will learn to identify, care for and harvest yucca, plantains and exotic fruits such as granadillas and naranjillas. You also may learn how to work with bees, pigs, cows, chickens or how to extract unrefined sugar from cane!
As you work with and get to know your host farmer, he or she will informally teach you about organic agriculture, their culture and the Spanish language. You will be a contributor to their success and share your culture with them as well!
Note: CoffeeWorks will not be accepting volunteer tourists between January and March due to the heavy rains received annually in El Airo.
When you are not volunteering...tour:
Hike, Bike & Camp:
El Airo is a outdoor enthusiast´s paradise! There are several trails with amazing views both relaxing and that will get your heart pumping. Your guide will show you around these natural treasures. In late 2011, a self-guided trail system will open with maps and signage so that you can hike to your heart´s content! In addition, if you love biking there are mountain bikes and if you like trekking there are tents available for CoffeeWorks volunteers.
Day Hike to rivers and gorgeous waterfalls!
Overnight Hike and Camp in the paramo eco-system in Yacuri National Park!
Mountain Bike downhill 12km from El Airo to the bottom of the mountain! (a truck can bring you back up)
Hike through coffee farms and low-lying cloud forests!
Catch incredible views of endless mountain peaks and the valleys between them
Hike El Airo’s highest peak, Mt. Airo
Celebrate:
Partake in cultural traditions by joining in town fiestas:
Fiesta de Las Cruces - May
Fiestas de San Vicente - June
Fiestas de los clubs deportivos - July
Fiestas de La Parroquia - August
This is the biggest and most important fiesta of the year! It commemorates the foundation of El Airo and beckons residents from all over Ecuador and abroad to return and share in the festivities.
Travel:
Visit the famous “Valley of Longevity”, Vilcabamba known for its “backpacker resorts” and relaxed vibe
Visit Podocarpus National Park and hike through paramo highlands
Visit Loja, the provincial capital, and catch a Serie A futbol match
Visit Zamora and get a taste of Ecuador´s beautiful amazonian landscape
Visit Cuenca, the most charming city in Ecuador
Visit Ingapirca, the most important archaeological ruins in Ecuador
Conditions:
Intermediate Level of Spanish Language: In order to have the best experience possible, it is important that volunteers possess an intermediate level of Spanish proficiency. If you are not currently at an intermediate level, how will you attain one before coming to Ecuador? Remember, this requirement exists so that volunteer tourists can maximize their experience by adequately communicating with assigned farmers and community members.
NOTE: You will have the opportunity to practice and improve your Spanish here but you need a base level before coming to Ecuador. Also, Community Members with experience teaching or interacting with foreigners are available for concentrated 1 on 1 Spanish conversation for $2 per hour
Adequate physical strength and ability: All volunteer tourists need to be comfortable walking a mile or more per day. This includes climbing up and down various grade inclines. The farms in El Airo are on steep slopes outside of the populated core.
Desire to learn: Volunteer tourists should have an interest in learning organic coffee agriculture.
Positive Attitude: Volunteer tourists should be flexible, open and ready to engage in new experiences! Living conditions and diet will likely be different. Also, work pace and hours in rural Ecuador may differ from what you are accustomed to. When it rains or there is minimal work to be done it is not unusual for farmers to only work a half day or take Friday as a weekend. On the other hand, during harvest farmers may work trough the rain and on Saturdays.
Engaged in the experience: Volunteer tourists should be proactive, self-confident and a part of creating a positive experience.
Minimum age: Volunteer tourists must be at least 18 years old.
Minimum Time Committment: International volunteer tourists are required to stay a minimum of 2 weeks to truly enjoy their experience and in order to make a greater impact on the community. National volunteer tourists or volunteer tourists currently traveling within the country have the option to volunteer for a minimum of 1 week, but 2 is recommended.
Maximum Time Committment: Volunteer tourists are welcome to stay a maximum of 3 months.
Other Considerations:
Please keep in mind: Work pace and hours in rural Ecuador may differ from what you are accustomed to. Be flexible and relaxed in your expectations as work flow ebbs and flows. When it rains or there is minimal work to be done it is not unusual for farmers to only work a half day or take Friday as a weekend. On the other hand, during harvest farmers may work trough the rain and on Saturdays. Also, farmers at times have non-farming work to do. Most times they will include you in this work. This provides variety and a change of pace to your experience. Other activities can include baking bread, fixing motorcycles, cooking meals for visiting dignitaries, etc.
Responsible Action:
CoffeeWorks is designed to provide a mutually beneficial experience between the community of El Airo and its volunteer tourists and aims:
To provide farmers assistance with agricultural production
To provide volunteer tourists experience and informal education in organic coffee agricultural
To provide volunteer tourists a relaxing stay in a beautiful location full of outdoor adventure
To provide both volunteer tourists and community members with a rich exchange in culture and knowledge as they live, work and play alongside one another
To assist volunteer tourists in improving their Spanish language skills through conversations with CoffeeWorks community guides, host farmers, host families and other community members.
To provide income for CoffeeWorks community guides, host farmers, host families and volunteer coordinators as they work to serve and teach the volunteer tourists through an organized and memorable volunteer experience
To provide business and tourism assistance to community associations so that they can advance their coffee tourism and coffee branding initiatives
To provide opportunities for volunteer tourists to share expertise in English, health or other areas to community members
