Finca Nueva Esperanza is a 40 hectare Permaculture Farm located about 3 hours northwest of Quito, Ecuador. We have replanted pasture land and restored habitat for many of the animals who have been marginalized by the cutting down of the cloud forest for cattle and Hearts of Palm plantations. Being a farm we are always involved in planting and harvesting. We also do some educational work in the local schools. Currently we are in the process of gathering funding and looking for more land to buy to plant more trees.

About the Volunteer Program: Our volunteers work along side the Ecuadorian workers, participating in the harvesting and planting. Some volunteers help out in the school programs. We work Monday through Friday. The workers arrive at 7:00 a.m., eat breakfast for 1/2 hour, then work until noon with an hour off for lunch and finish at 4:00 p.m.

Fees/Costs: We do ask that volunteers pay a fee and this covers food and accommodations. We offer simple, yet comfortable accommodations with vegetarian meals. We have hot showers and at the end of the year 2010 internet service, although the slow dial-up kind. We ask that anyone staying less than 1 month pay $14/day, for stays longer than 1 month, $12/day

Volunteer Requirements: Some knowledge would be quite helpful as Elly is the only English speaker on the farm and she is not always there.
People interested in learning about Permaculture, organic gardening, restoration of habitat, studying birds, plants, mushrooms. we could always use teachers for our local school programs.

Other information - what is life like for the volunteer? The farm is a beautiful tranquil place, a good place for people who enjoy being close to nature. It is located at 3,000ft (800 meters) in the southern most region of the Choclo clould forest. I refer it is as being like a tropical Oregon. There is abundant rainfall and we are green all year round, although with the changes in the planet's climate we do have more sunny days than in the past. The temperature is mostly t-shirts during the day with perhaps a cotton jacket at night. The farm is located about 1/2 hour from the closest town which would be Los Bancos or Pedro Vicente Maldonado

Contact Details/ How to apply: Best way to contact us is through e-mail Elly's e-mail which is ellyrvilca@yahoo.com in English or Spanish Elly's cell 091944223 Or Victor Morales permora40@yahoo.es Victor speaks only Spanish Victor has a cell phone 094671990