I spent four weeks at Finca Yantza, and my overall feeling about the experience is very positive : it was a great enlightening and rewarding experience. I had the opportunity to do :
- Building work : I worked on the big sized greenhouse (I helped to build the roof, the field, the tables and install the taps) and the little bamboo house (I helped to paint the doors, and make the four windows and the doors out of bamboo and wood)
- Farm work : I planted pineapples and vetiver, I made holes to plant trees, I filled insects traps in citric trees, I created paths so parts of the farm would be more easily accessible, I faced the wrath of the bees and the stubbornness of a horse, I braved the wilderness of the jungle to reach the waterfall, and did one of the main farm work i.e. cutting the 2 to 3 meters-tall grass with a machete. Yago’s hobby 😉
- House work : washing the dishes (there can be a lot), cooking, making bread (Yum!), lighting a fire in the oven, feeding the animals (giving food to the dogs is REALLY something !)
Some of the tasks were done under very hot sun, and others under very strong rain, the weather can vary a lot and rapidly ! Sometimes, the work can be hard and tiring, but I was never alone, and working with Cunanchi (the Ecuadorian worker), Yago has been a real pleasure. Also, talking and sharing our experiences and ideas has been enriching and instructive.
Finally, I must mention the uniqueness of the place that is beyond beautiful : the plants (the trees, the flowers …), the animals (the birds, the insects …) and the vastness (77 ha) of the land (I adored the view from the top of the finca) all of it contribute to make this place a true paradise.
I found out about GaiaVerso through Bridgeo.org, which is a French NGO run by young motivated guys. After guiding me to this mission, they really supported me before my departure.
Ojeme
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Recipes – do it yourself
- Here are the recipes I used to make the several products I brought :
- Deodorant (https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=42Htnp8P9Eg): - 2 table spoons of arrow root powder
- 1 table spoon of baking soda
- 1 table spoon of coconut oil
- 1 table spoon of shea butter (beurre de karité)
- A few drops of essential oil (for the scent)
- Mosquito repellent (http://memedanssesorties.com/
3284/repulsif-anti-moustiques- naturel/) : - 10 mL of vegetal oil (I used hazelnut oil)
- 6 mL of essential oil :
- 3 mL of citronella (I used 2 mL of Java’s citronella)
- 2 mL of geranium
- 1 mL of peppermint (because of Violetta, I used 2 mL of eucalyptus citronné instead of peppermint, because “Du fait de la présence de menthone, l’huile essentielle de menthe poivrée n’est pas recommandée aux femmes enceintes, allaitantes et aux enfants de moins de 6 ans, ainsi qu’aux personnes souffrant d’hypertension”)
- Laundry detergent (Don’t forget to shake it before every use !) :
- 1L of hot water
- 30 g of natural olive oil soap (in chips)
- 1 spoon of baking soda
- (Optional) A few drops of essential oil (for the scent)
