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Help us build an agricultural retreat and enjoy beautiful Iloilo!

5.0
(26 reviews)26

The experience

We are converting our fallow land into a vegan organic food forest to host guests & events and we need your help. If you LOVE working with the EARTH, then this is a match!
Plant projects include fruit tree & bamboo propagation, transplanting, and irrigation.
Build projects include bathrooms, bamboo cabins, rainwater harvesting, and community spaces.
You will be trained to work with tools & techniques at your skill level and under our supervision.

What you offer

5 hours of help per day

Farming: Plant crops, sow seeds and help in outside tasks.

Building & Repairing: Help with a wide range of repairs or building.

What you get

3 days off per week

Private Room: You will have a bed in a private room. In other words, a room just for you.

Breakfast: You are entitled to a free breakfast, every day of your stay.

Lunch: You are entitled to a free lunch, every day of your stay.

Dinner: You are entitled to a free dinner, every day of your stay.

Free Laundry: You can use our laundry room freely.

Use our equipped kitchen: Feel free to use our kitchen and make your own delicious food.

Fast Internet Access: High-speed internet for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

Be from outside Philippines

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

We have long term projects listed in the description but your flexibility and understanding are required as our aging farm will likely have unforeseen repairs related to waterproofing, plumbing, electrical, and fencing during your stay.
We are a mountain farm. Expect steep hiking and stunning views.
English is widely understood in the Philippines. We can speak English and Spanish on the farm.

The work is very technical. The 1st week is training and the 2nd & 3rd weeks are filled with productivity. Volunteers who stayed 1 month had great success with project progress, bonding with the community, and enjoying the different hikes & marine sanctuaries.

Currently, we have no bicycles, scooters, or motorcycles and rentals in our area are unavailable. Because bicycles & motorcycles only gained popularity in 2021, road-sharing is a new concept. Strongly suggest buses and jeepneys, available 5:00-20:00 daily, usually every hour.

Hiking is plentiful. The town of San Joaquin is 30 mins away by bus. Snorkeling is <1 hr by bus.

Filtered water, vegan, vegetarian, and non-vegetarian meals available.
Bedrooms are mixed: female & male.

There is noise from big trucks, motorcycles, dogs, roosters, and karaoke. Bring ear plugs.

Personal expenses:
Snacks at the farm, public transportation, activities & meals off the farm.

Working with a local: 10% of the time.
We currently can host up to 2 volunteers.

@BambooPermacultureStories is our YouTube channel. Please let us know if you prefer to not be recorded.

Activities & Shift

Farm clothes and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) provided. Please take care of your kits during your stay. Ear plugs may be uncomfortable but they protect you from the high decibels of axe splitting and power tools. The gloves may not be a perfect fit, safety glasses can get foggy, the long-sleeved shirt & hat may keep you warm but they protect you from the intense sun, mosquitoes, thorns, and invisible itchy bugs. PPE is mandatory. Accidents happen. Please do not negotiate not wearing PPE.

During the hottest months (March-May), we avoid working from 11:00 to 14:00.
Rainy season is June-November with July, August, and September the wettest months. Be prepared to work in the mud with rubber boots provided : )

Volunteers generally work Tue-Fri and are off Sat-Mon.

Work can begin as early as 5:30 and end as late as 18:30. Your project and time schedule will be given to you in the evening for the next day. Flexibility is a must as the needs of the farm often change daily. And during rainy season, the weather dictates which projects we can work on, sometimes mid-project. The early morning and late afternoon are the most comfortable times and the prettiest times to work on the farm.

Our bamboo is the spiny (many thorns) variety. Prepare for tears, pokes, scratches, and cuts.

Public transportation to the farm:
Iloilo City is 2.5 hrs,
Boracay is 6.5 hrs.

Please recharge your physical and social batteries as needed in your room. When ready, you are strongly encouraged to walk around the village at least every other day for at least 33 minutes and interact with the locals.
Your presence is a gift.

Rules

No Downloading or Uploading of Copyrighted Material. Our internet service provider strictly monitors copyrighted material and our 1st volunteer caused us to receive our 1st warning.

International airports: Manila MNL, Cebu CEB. Strongly recommend CEB.
*You need proof of onward travel to receive your boarding pass to the Philippines* Philippine Immigration can ask to see your ticket for onward travel on arrival.
Complete your immigration info before your flight: etravel.gov.ph
Visa extensions are easy.

Suggested airports on our island: Iloilo ILO, Boracay MPH
Domestic airlines: Cebu Pacific, AirAsia, Philippine Airlines.
Domestic flights to ILO or MPH <1hr.
If landing after 18:00, must overnight in the city.
Bus+ferry from MNL=22hrs, often the same price as flying.
Flying during rainy season recommended. If ferrying during rainy season, pay close attention to the weather forecast as large waves make ferrying dangerous.
Ride-hailing app: Grab
SIM: Smart
Promo code worldpackers: ALGERSANS
Carry cash. ATM fee ~5USD for every withdrawal.

You may shorten or lengthen your initial dates during your time at the farm as long as the 2-week requirement is met.

Can you bring spices/seasoning from your current country? We love flavors from abroad!