Volunteering in Rio Muchacho

Rio Muchacho Organic farm is in the Rio Muchacho valley on the mid coast of Ecuador. The entrance is situated 30 kms north of Bahía de Caráquez on the San Vicente- Pedernales road.  The farm is 8 kms inland. The area   was once   dense rain forest and has been largely cleared for cattle farming and cropping however, some intact areas remain.

The farming practices are generally conventional, with clearing, burning,  monocrops and the  use of agricultural chemicals. Rio Muchacho  Organic Farm was no exception until 1992 when work began to convert it to a non polluting productive system.

Fixing a path to control erosion

There is a lot of experience in organic farming in the mountains and in temperate climates in general, but there is little on the coast (except a couple of large banana plantations).

Río Muchacho now has an important role in demonstrating alternatives like biogas, solar power, composting systems, worm culture, water recycling, reforestation and forage systems, permaculture, organic farming techniques and environmental  tourism. The farm now receives many community and student groups who come to learn about these alternatives.

Tourism and education are other aspects of the farm, visitors are fascinated by the cultural experience and the alternative farming techniques. It was chosen to participate in an ecotourism certification pilot project. It is now one of the first 12 certified projects in Ecuador.

view of the main house from the road

Is the farm owned by a foundation or an organization?

The farm is privately owned by an Ecuadorian/New Zealand couple Dario Proaño and Nicola Mears who are strongly committed to environmental and community work in this area and also in Bahía. They were instrumental in the creation of Bahía ecocity and continue to coordinate an environmental education program and paper recycling project in the city.  The farm receives no support from organizations or foundations

Options for volunteering

• REGULAR VOLUNTEERING - Hands on help on the farm
• VOLUNTEER TRAINING COURSE - For those who want a to learn more about organic farming, Permaculture and other methods. Course info.

Areas of Work for volunteers

Volunteers at Río Muchacho participate in  general activities, related to agriculture, education and visits, and have as similar  timetable as the family and other workers on the farm. Some of the activities will include:

• nursery work, sowing seeds, filling bags, pricking out.
• reforestation work, planting, weeding, mulching, staking, pruning.
• creation and maintenance of vegetable  gardens.
• compost making.
• planting, harvesting crops.
• work in the environmental school, ( see below and in the “our projects” section of the web page )  maintenance  or giving classes English, art, sport
• help in the preparation of food ( especially if you are interested to learn about typical food)
• making banana circles
• simple construction
• artwork, translating, preparation of info  and materials for the school
• preparation for groups of visitors (  groups of farmers  from different parts of the country sometimes stay over night)
• painting
• help in feeding and caring for the animals. 
• feeding  worms and separating worms from the humus.etc.

Weeding and applying liquid fertilizer	Planting sugar cane

The Environmental School

Rural education is very poor and most teachers only work 3 -4 days a week. In 1993 with community participation the environmental primary school was created. The aim of the school was to provide not only a more creative, practical education than in most rural schools but to teach environmental education. The school was built with natural materials donated by the parents. It has been running successfully since 1993 supported by the parents and the farm with help from tourists, friends, family and volunteers. 

Elian, one of the children on the farm

Lodging for Volunteers

Accommodation is provided in one of the sleeping areas (there are rooms for 1-5 people) and meals are made for everyone by the family who live on the farm.  The food is largely vegetarian, occasionally chicken and river shrimp. Most produce comes from the farm, creating a colorful combination of typical food and salads/ vegetable dishes, sometimes cooked over a wood fire. Fresh fruits from the farm area always served at breakfast.

“We have told many people that the food we had at Rio Muchacho was the best we had anywhere in Ecuador” Chris Bradshaw USA

We supply sheets and blankets but please bring a towel.  Most people sleep without a mosquito net but please bring one if you prefer to use them.

Payment                                

Volunteers pay US $350 per month for food and   lodging. We prefer a one month commitment, so that you can learn the ropes and so that there is some continuity for the family/ animals and plants. There are no refunds. We prefer that volunteers start at the beginning of the month as we do an orientation program which will help you on your stay.

Two days free are given per week- Saturday afternoon, Sunday.( the same  as the family and  workers on the farm)  The other half day is a "cultural afternoon " midweek which may be to go fishing shrimp or to learn how to carve mate,  make coffee, chocolate, palm seed rings etc. The rest of the afternoon is yours.

Transporting the old thatch for mulch

 What will you get out of volunteering in Rio Muchacho  ? You will be able to contribute to a valuable environmental model for the coast and  you'll have the opportunity to learn about organic farming and permaculture.

You will be able to experience a completely different culture and take part in community activities.

It is a good opportunity to practice your Spanish. The family and the workers on the farm speak no English or any other language. We have developed a farm dictionary to help you with the new vocab.

You are close to the beach if you want some sun and surf on the weekend.

Meet some of the animals on the farm

What kind of people are we looking for to volunteer?

Cultural afternoon- making rings from plam seed and vegetabel ivory

We prefer that volunteers have...

At least a few weeks traveling experience in Latin America

A basic level of Spanish (the experience is much richer for you if you can communicate!)

Experience working in rural areas, on farms, with plants or in education (this is not essential as long as you are keen to learn)

We recommend that volunteers have health insurance ( important in case of any unexpected health problems )

Note:

filling bags with potting mix for the nursery

This is an isolated rural area where electricity and TV have existed since 1998. The local people have lived a simple but rich life without access to or knowledge of modern conveniences. We have been very careful so that the presence of foreigners has had a positive influence on the community. We ask that volunteers are sensitive to this, and we insist that no drugs or alcohol are consumed at the farm except in the case of the typical drinks which you may be offered by the family or at a local fiesta. We have  developed more information on cultural aspects that volunteers should be aware of. This is in the frequently asked questions section.

There are no phone, fax and internet services at the farm ! We communicate by short wave radio with Bahia.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

For more information, please contact us or fill out our volunteer application form

Want Spanish classes before or while volunteering ? Rio Muchacho and Guacamayo Tours works with VIDA VERDE

( Green Life Spanish School ) in Quito. The school makes contributions to social and environmental projects, one of which is the Environmental school in Rio Muchacho.

Also check out our Volunteer Training Course and Apprenticeship in organic Farming

Click here for more information about the farm and its ecopractices.

View more photos in the Rio Muchacho volunteer photo gallery.