CONTRIBUTED BY DASHA GARIEPY
Interesting, isn’t it, how life can change in less than a month? I posted a blog about international volunteer work on my home page on November 8th – little knowing that I’d have my bags packed and be heading out the door less than thirty days later!
Becoming an international volunteer was as easy as 1-2-3:
1. I heard about and researched a great international volunteer organization called WWOOF.
2. I applied for membership into said organization ($55 bucks total for two people volunteering together) and received a list of international hosts who provide on-site room and board for their volunteers.
3. I contacted a registered host in the Philippines and arranged dates to volunteer.
Nothing could have been easier!
From there I simply got a verification letter from my sponsors command stating I was eligible for Space-A travel, packed my bag and wala! I’m first in line for the next bird heading to the Philippines.
It was so SIMPLE!
And it’s considered “green” travel – “green” being environmentally friendly.
It’s also what the travel industry calls “Eco-Tourism: responsible travel to natural areas which conserves the environment and improves the welfare of the local people.”
WWOOFing is for people eager to see the world, and equally eager to give back in the process. On this trip my daughter and I will be living and working on a farm that’s been in the same family since the 1800’s. We’ll be planting trees, building shelters, working compost piles, tending cows – everything that has anything to do with making our host farm run smoothly.
Oh, and did I mention the food? Everything on this farm is raised and grown organic. No pesticides, no chemical enhancements – simply pure and fresh produce and products.
I have a feeling we’re going to get back way more than we can give.
Why don’t you join us? Volunteer! And share your stories with us here on Okinawa Hai.
Why do you have to pay for the free labor? Just curious.
Is anyone interested in doing this for the summer? Please email me and let me know. I would love to do it. But I’m not so sure if I could do it solo? Anyone else wants to tag along..
Oh, my gosh!! Sounds neat-o!! Dasha, you are 2 much–good for you. thanks for sharing this info. I am going to investigate.
i love the photos in the bakery, too. =)
The length of stay all depends on the host organization. Each one is different. Some require a minimum of a week, others are easy-going-pop-in-when-you-can. The options are as varied as the hosts!
I am really interested in this too. I would LOVE to do it but I would be a little nervous going solo. I would love to tag along with someone. Is there a minimum length of stay? I only have a 1 year old so I defiantly wouldn’t be bring any kids. In fact I would need find full time childcare for him while I was away. Email me if anyone would like to do it together. smith_wmt@yahoo.com
I know from when I did WOOFing that there were always specific options that would say kids welcome. Not all were like that — but some. There were usually a few that actually needed childcare — meaning your hours of work each day would be taking care of THEIR kids which generally means you’d be allowed to have yours too.
Thanks for the info! I have been looking at the site. Is this something that my 7y.o. son could tag along w/?!
You can go solo, or with a friend, or you can advertise on the WWOOF site for a traveling partner. There is a place in Northern Okinawa that accepts WWOOF volunteers – you might want to sign up for WWOOF Japan and start with that!
This sounds like a GREAT thing to do. Do you need to have a partner in mind, or are there other single volunteers around that need a partner? I would LOVE more info!
OMG that sounds SO great! How long will you be gone! This sounds wonderful, I would love to do this with my daughter!
Dasha- What an amazing experience- such a cool thing to do with your daughter. Can’t wait to hear all about it!