Student Program at Madre Selva Instituto de
Permacultura


Work program

A work program can be devised to meet the needs
of your students. Staff are available for direction
and informal training. Formal sessions will be
provided for
orientation to the Institute, to permaculture
and an orientation to the culture and town of San
Lorenzo.
Possible project areas include:
1.General permaculture farm work: composting,
mulching, pruning, weeding, etc.
2.Seed Bank Administration: collection, drying,
storing, germination testing of seed and plant
materials, record keeping.
3.Education: Prepartion of required educational
materials
4.Investigation and research: Participate in our
vetiver investigation, plant trialling and garden
reports, or liase with staff in developing your own
investigation or research project on site or in the
community
5. Income generation: offer support in planning/
establishing income generating activities for
the Institute on site
6. Commercial composting system: research and
assist with planning and implementation of this as a
new project for Madre Selva
7. Computer training: train Madre Selva staff in
computer use
8. Knowledge exchange: Develop a training or
workshop session to share your expertise with local
staff
9. Fundraising: Plan and write a funding
proposal for Madre Selva, or undertake fundraising
activities in your home town.

Food
Meals will be prepared by a local cook in the
Madre Selva kitchen. Meals will be of the local
Esmereldian style, including a selection of the famous
and delicious seafood meals of the region. San Lorenzo
is lucky for the abundance of fresh seafood available
daily. Our cooks are aware of hygene and health
issues and maintain high standards in the kitchen.
Fresh rainwater is collected on site which is
available for drinking. Coffee, teas and fresh
fruit juices will be available also.

Accomodation
Accomodation is provided in the tree top environment
of the Madre Selva Institute. It is a simple shared
living situation that is beautiful and breezy.
All bedding and mosquito nets are provided. Valuable
items can be stored in secure files in the office.

What to bring
Long, light mosquito proof clothing, work clothes,
work boots or shoes, sun hat, rain coat, mosquito
repellant, torch, pyjamas, book, dancing shoes
if you like! Clothing and toiletries as usual.

On health
Malaria and typhoid are present in the region.
Previous volunteers have found that preventing bites
by wearing appropriate clothing and repellant,
and using a homeopathic malaria prophylactic, has
been effective and preferable to malarial drugs which
are renowned for bad side effects. We especially
recommend against larium, and any new drugs still
being
trialled. The most common ailment has been at one time
or another a bout of diareahh.

On safety
Volunteers or students have never experienced any
safety problems in San Lorenzo. The community is
friendly and feel positive about the participation of
foreigners in the work of Madre Selva. Madre Selva has
many friends and a full time guardian. It is a poor
community though and as with travel in any poor area
we recomend leaving valuable possessions at home or in
the CIBT office in Quito.

Spare time
Relax in the hammock. Read a book. Meet local people.
Learn to play marimba. Go out dancing. Watch the
marimba dance practice. Study and practice spanish. Go
for a swim in the mangroves. Take a canoe ride through
the mangroves. Take a canoe to the beach. Watch the
sunset from the wharf. Go for a walk and see who you
meet. Explore the Madre Selva library.

Costs
$250 monthly, includes prepared meals, accomodation,
and orientation and direction by Madre Selva
staff. Your contribution also assists the continuation
of the work of Madre Selva.