Handyman, come help us basic plumbing, electrical, etc =)

France

5

We spend 2 weeks with very nice people. Kobus Jerda y Deon . Very passionate , crazy workers, well educated, attentive I liked to feed chickens, cut the grass, water the trees, change the bags of the little trees, put seeds on soil …… and for my husband a lot of handiwork. sometimes it was very hot and the task wasn't so easy . It's 5 hours per day but let your phone onto your bed and you will have a very very nice experience with the nature and totally appreciate what you are doing here.

over 1 year ago

Kobus replied

Thank you Valerie and Yvan for visiting our project and assisting with all the tasks on hand with experience, a positive attitude and a huge smile.
We appreciated your positive energy and that you have chosen to stay longer.
All the best on the rest of your trip to Bocas.
Kobus, Gerda & Deon

Germany

5

Many thanks to Kobus, Gerda and Dean for this amazing first volunteering experience! I did things I've never done before and got really in touch with nature and the jungle. You get sweaty and dirty, but it's worth it. Thanks for teaching me a lot of things about trees, plants and the environment. The meals are so nutritional and tasty (especially Gerdas home baked sweets). Highly recommend if you wanna make an sustainable impact :)

over 1 year ago

Kobus replied

Thank you so much for your great attitude and willingness to try new things. We hope to see you again in a few years.
Thank you for your time and effort you have put into your stay.
Greetings,
Gerda, Deon and Kobus

Switzerland

5

I really did enjoy my stay at the the reserve, which I even extended. Kobus, Gerda and Deon are a very welcoming and friendly family, the knowledge they have is huge and there is so much to learn from them. The place in the forest is incredibly beautiful and the work is fun. Last but not least - the rumors are true ;) - Gerdas food is amazing. Thank you guys so much for what you are doing and letting me be a part of it for this short time!

over 1 year ago

Kobus replied

Thank you Mirjam, for visiting our project and assisting with all the tasks on hand with a huge smile and positive attitude.
We appreciated your energy and that you have chosen to stay longer.
All the best on your trip.
Kobus, Gerda & Deon

Argentina

4

The family strives to take care of nature. Everything runs on renewable energy. and they are largely supplied with their products. I think you have to have a firm determination and conscience to do what they do.

about 1 year ago

Denmark

4

Nice and accommodating hosts, they were good at passing on knowledge. Facilities were rustic, but very good. There was even a laundry machine. The work was hard, but in a fun way and they were respectful of the hours. Really good food. The only thing missing was a bit of community feeling. It felt more like a boss/worker relationship than a team. Sometimes the way they spoke about other volunteers and the locals was a little off. But overall they were very friendly and welcoming.

over 1 year ago

Kobus replied

Thank you for visiting the project and all your effort in removing the tiles in the bathroom that needs to be renovated. Much appreciated.
With you being the 146th volunteer to the project, we are able to offer examples of volunteers not following advice and eating mussels harvested on the polluted beach, getting sick and then blaming me for not being compassionate enough after the fifth day of having to hear about their stomach issues.
Regarding the local community members, we have skin in the game when I tell you the extent of the disregard for conservation with examples such as: that when we stop the illegal hunting on the property, our property suffer arson attacks, when our local contractor working on the project brings his butchers knife to slaughter the deer we keep and protect (thinking that he is entitled to just kill and take the animals), when my employed neighbor kills our entire breeding heard of white tailed deer to sell the meat in the community.
The privilege of travelling the world to learn about local culture and lifestyles expose you to views different from what is portrayed in travel magazines.

Chile

3

Positive aspects: You learn a lot about nature and finca work. Dion is a great guide and work companion. Food is good and abundant. Work hours are respected. You are in the middle of the jungle and thats great (prepare to meet lots of bugs) Negatives: I didn't feel welcomed by the hosts, I even felt some hostility. kobus made some sexist comments and I didn't feel treated equally relative to my partner. Work can be lonely if there aren't other volunteers around. The work is hard mainly due to the heat, but otherwise very reasonable

over 1 year ago

Kobus replied

Thank you, Maria, for your stay on the project.
We as host function in a world where we do encounter individuals that we have to accommodate in our space regardless of their lack of skills, pesky habits (voicing their preferences without stop, attention seeking), sensitivities, confusion, differing views, or shortcomings.
With you being the 147th volunteer, we listened to what you say, saw how you conducted yourself, but also knew that your partner offered the skills we needed to build the project.
We had to give Lucas (your skilled partner) different tasks from you. We tried to channel your abilities into something that contribute positively to the conservation project. We also tried to give you different tasks to keep your stay interesting.
I believe your outlook on life is possibly very clouded due to the misery and suffering you witness back home to the extent that you see my factual reference to the duration of a pregnancy as sexist. How odd?

Chile

4

It was a very good experience! I learned a lot about nature, Kobus is very knowledgeable. The reserve always suprises you with some exciting wild encounter. Gerda makes sure you will be well fed, food is great here. Dion is very nice and helpful too Food - excellent 5/5 Work hours - always respected 5/5 Accomodation - Not for everyone, a bit exposed but comfortable enough, be prepared to see many critters! If you love nature is awesome, jungle white sound for good sleep, bugspray is a MUST 3.5/5 Connectivity - 40min from the beach by foot, very dark road 4/5

over 1 year ago

Nigeria

4

Working on the preserve was such a eye opening experience and I am so glad I got to partake in it. In the first day we cut grass which I actually enjoyed the following days we did planting of trees , mixing g compost , picking and cleaning chicken coups etc. I was going to stay longer but I will be honeys the work is hard and it is pretty hot in Panama that I did not know. Other than that I am definitely stronger not just from the work but the yummy food we helped prepare with Greta, that was the best part! The whole family was so accommodating especially since I worked weekends, wifi is great

over 1 year ago

Kobus replied

Thank you for the effort and assistance on the project.
You were a great help in taking care of our chickens, watering trees under the hot sun, mowing grass, filling bags for seedling and planting trees.
Much appreciated.

France

3

My experience volunteering in the reserve Natural Reserve was overall good. I got to see different animals, eat good food, and most importantly become friends with the other volunteers. However, we all left sooner than expected because of the way Kobus talked to us (condescending and disrespectful). BUT Deon and Gerta were very nice to us! the reserve project is beautiful, and I sincerely applaud your dedication to preserve and nourish the nature in Panama.

over 1 year ago

Kobus replied

Thank you for visiting our project.
Zoe arrived on the project and assisted with several tasks that were completely new to her.
Unfortunately, Zoe and another volunteer that were tasked to water trees in an area about 22m wide by 24m long, have left their watering area and returned to the common Kitchen area within about an hour of starting the task. Zoe explained to me that she did not know how to distinguish between wet and dry and could not discuss and could not agree a common boundary between her and the fellow volunteer that was working (watering trees with a hosepipe) about seven meters away from her.
Zoe was offended when I showed her how to bend down and touch the mulch around the trees to confirm that the trees either have received water or not. I also had to explain to her how to walk over to the volunteer seven meters away to communicate and agree who is going to water which sections within the small patch of trees.
Fortunately for us as hosts, 95% of the (plus 134 volunteers, some of which have returned up to four times) volunteers that have visited our project, are able, capable, and willing to not wear headphones, connect with reality and engage with the tasks we perform in restoring the natural environment on the property.
We as hosts, appreciate and respect the constructive effort, the positive attitude and the tangible contribution these volunteers make in creating a better world for all.

Sweden

3

In general, the project's focus on sustainability is admirable. However, there was a discrepancy between what was offered here on Worldpackers, and what was actually offered at the project. An example of this was that we were promised three cooked meals a day, but only got breakfast and lunch which we still had to help cook, as well as do the dishes. Dinner was expected to be made on our own. This wasn't what was agreed upon, and wasn't communicated. The work is hard, and three meals a day felt only fair. There was also a difference in ideology, that created a unwelcoming environment.

over 1 year ago

Kobus replied

Thank you Klara.
You joined our project and worked hard at installing internet cables, moving plant bags to reorganize the nursery, preparing fire breaks, and taking care of the laying hens. You were pushing yourself to do more than was expected of you, but ran off after three days and only informed us via WhatsApp that you have left.
After hosting more than 130 volunteers (and listening to all their input), we have seen that preparing food is a time for the volunteers to socialize and contribute in preparing the meals the way they prefer.
Breakfasts are prepared by the volunteers to ensure that everybody is awake and eating breakfast before work starts. We had wasted food when we prepared breakfast and volunteers decided not to have breakfast or wanting pancakes, when we served sunnyside eggs, etc.
Lunches are prepared by Gerda when she is around. You only once assisted in preparing the salad during working hours, before lunch.
At night, with the volunteers preparing their own meals, creates the opportunity for them to watch the sunsets on the beach, or hang out in town, before returning whenever they wish to prepare dinner.
We used to prepare dinner, but had complaints due to closing the kitchen at 19h30.

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