Apply Now

Volunteering in Permaculture

The experience

Permaculture Unit that seeks volunteers for maintenance and renovations, aiming at the future inclusion of the Site in the Air BNB Experience. Volunteers will help 4-5 hours a day on tasks such as animal care, plant care, harvesting, and repairs. It offers accommodation, food, internet, and opportunities for learning and leisure. The volunteer period varies from 15 days to 2 months.

What you offer

20 hours of help per week

Cleaning: Help clean the kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms and common areas.

Animal Care: Help look after and take care of animals.

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

Gardening: Help grow plants and cultivate gardens

What you get

2 days off per week

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

Shared Dorm: You will have a bed in a shared room, which means you will share the same room with other travelers.

Tent: You will sleep in a tent at a camping site.

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.

Free Hiking Tours: We’ll take you on excursions and hikes around town. For free!

Bikes at your disposal: You can use our bikes any time you want.

Pick Up: We will pick you up when you arrive, and take you to our property.

Permaculture Course: Take part in our Permaculture course for free.

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

Certificate: Get a certificate of completion after you finish your experience.

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

Dedicated Workspace: Specific space for you to work remotely

Requirements

Intermediate English

Between 18 and 65 years old

Welcomes solo volunteers, couples, and partners of volunteers

What's not included

Flights, Travel Insurance, Internal Transportation and Visa

Program Details

Sítio is a small farm in northeastern Brazil, designed as a Permaculture demonstration unit. The farm hosts a volunteer project where participants help maintain the space and prepare it to join Airbnb as a sustainable living experience. Permaculture, a lifestyle and philosophy developed in Australia in the 1970s, promotes sustainable communities through practices like agroecological farming, bioconstruction, and resource reuse. It is guided by three ethical principles: care for the Earth, care for people, and sharing surplus.
The host, Mario Fraga, is an agronomist and Permaculture expert who learned directly from Permaculture pioneers in Australia. He lives in Fortaleza during the week with his family and tends to the farm on weekends. Mario also teaches Permaculture courses through the Permaculture and Ecovillage Institute of Ceará.
Located in Eusébio, near Fortaleza, Sítio da Janaguba is easily accessible via transportation apps. The farm seeks to restore its facilities and production systems, aiming to offer guests a space for connecting with nature and learning about sustainable living through Permaculture principles.

Activities & Shift

Volunteering at Sítio involves 4-5 hours of daily help, from Monday to Friday or Tuesday to Saturday, starting at 7 a.m., with tasks focused on basic farm maintenance and renovations. Volunteers care for animals (dogs, cats, chickens, and fish), water plants, manage organic compost and worm farms, harvest produce, and assist in tasks like pruning, planting, irrigation system repairs, and residential maintenance. Safety equipment and proper tools are provided under the host's guidance.
Volunteers stay for a minimum of 15 days (2 weeks) and a maximum of 2 months, living in ventilated accommodations with beds or hammocks, preparing their meals with farm-provided ingredients, and accessing amenities like Wi-Fi, a mini library, and basic medical supplies. Leisure activities include bike rides, river baths, beach trips, cultural events, bonfires, and gatherings, some at the volunteer’s expense. The program hosts 2-3 volunteers at a time, allowing for group or individual participation, including families of up to 3 people (with exceptions). Selection is based on the volunteer registration form and mutual agreement with the host.

Rules

The registration form brings the main rules to be followed. Sítio da Janaguba hopes to welcome volunteers who are willing to work and learn, have a good sense of discipline and responsibility, are well-mannered, have a free spirit, are free from prejudice, are willing to work and are enthusiastic.
You are very welcome to work, learn and have fun at Sítio da Janaguba!