Finca San Andres - Volunteer Opportunities

About San Andres | Accomodation | Volunteer Activities | Recreation Activities

The following activities are available to volunteers, and each volunteer may select their level of involvement in each activity or project. For example, those who are interested in learning about organic farming techniques and in teaching the local children about the environment may elect to focus their activities specifically on these areas.

A possible weekly program in this case could be to teach on Monday and Thursday, spend Tuesday and Friday helping on the farm, Wednesday for any other desired project involvement, and the weekend to visit the local area, take a trip to Santo Domingo or just relax around the farm.

The itinerary is really down to your personal choice, and with so much to do, you can easily vary your activities throughout the week to meet your own interests.

Daily Activities

Volunteers at San Andres have a variety of options for activities, and working hours are flexible to suit the requirements of the individual. Those who enjoy getting their hands dirty and mucking in will always have tasks to do on and around the farm. Volunteers will be involved in helping the daily running of the farm. This includes the feeding of the livestock, maintenance of organic crops, clearing areas for new plots, milking cows, grooming horses, helping make the organic pesticides, and the once a week task of traditional organic sugar production.

Reforestation

The reforestation project is to be set up and tree seeds collected from the San Andres forest and prepared for planting. Subsequent expeditions will be made to river sources and surrounding areas to initiate reforestation, aiding immensely local communities who use the river water, and wild animal populations.

Nature Study and Field Guide Compilation

For volunteers with an interest in the natural world, there is the option of helping research, study and make a field guide of the flora and fauna of San Andres. This would include examining and taking leaf samples of forest trees and plants and photographing and analyzing invertebrate and vertebrate fauna; to then research findings using the internet, and compile a comprehensive list with descriptions and ecology of each native species observed.

Trail Making

To make the forest more easily accessible for its full appreciation, there are also macheteing activities to create a network of paths, and sign making and placing activities to provide easy access and forest orientation for future volunteers and locals.

River Rafting Project

The stretch of river belonging to San Andres is substantial, and for recreational activities of the volunteers, a river rafting course is to be set up, with the use of ropes to guide and control the rafts. Volunteers with an adventurous nature may become involved in the set up of this venture, to create a safety orientated yet fun filled activity for volunteers.

Fish Pond Construction

To extend the Tilapia fish farm and the beauty of the riverside environment, a 1 hectare pond is to be made by the river to accommodate the larger Tilapia. Volunteers may become involved in this project.

Recreational Area Development

Around the cabins, we aim to make a recreational court (i.e. volleyball, 5 a side football, tennis etc) made to the desires of volunteers. Volunteers will be required to help level, plant grass seed, construct posts/ net/ boundaries for this project should they desire.

Environmental Education/ English Teaching

Also in the local area, there are two schools in which volunteers may teach English and environmental education programs to the local children and adults should they desire. These initiatives will provide the children with a better chance in their future careers to fight poverty and also provide them with a better understanding and appreciation of their surroundings and the natural world.

With this we hope deforestation and environmentally destructive practices will decrease in the future, having a positive effect on the environment. We aim to promote environmentally sound practices (for example by involving the children in our reforestation programs), and the importance of conservation and protection of the natural world (e.g. by teaching the importance of each and every species to maintain a balanced ecosystem, and a more ‘healthy’ planet for all).