Volunteers needed for Cacao Elegguá, an agroforestry and permaculture, eco-building construction project on an Eco Farm situated in Kenema, Sierra Leone.

Our Ethos

We blend agriculture, forestry and environmental sustainability to enhance positive interactions between trees,  crops and livestock.
We employ local population and develop knowledge in the community.

The Cacao Elegguá project

Cacao Elegguá is a brand new venture started in the Kenema province of Sierra Leone, on 263 acres of tropical forest. Everything from, nursery set-up, drip irrigation installation, to design traditional styled facilities with eco considerations.

We are utilising the principles of agroforestry and permaculture to enhance the biodiversity and the preservation of the natural ecosystem.
Principal crop is cocoa but we will also be growing plantain, banana, maize, cassava among other crops.

We aim to construct an Eco Farm  including accommodation, construct a pond, a dam and design roads
We are in the process of planting 50 acres of cocoa. A hundred seedlings of Moringa will also be ready to be planted in April.
Medicinal plants, perennial crops will be added to this. We’ll design and implement drip irrigation and introducing livestock (goats, hens..)  to the farm.

Volunteer profiles

Agroforestry and permaculture specialists
Agriculturists & people with good agriculture knowledge

• Knowledge of designing a permaculture/ agroforestry farm.
• Knowledge of irrigation system especially drip irrigation.
• Knowledge of pond, dam constriction and swales
• Excellent Knowledge of farm crop planting, cultivating, and harvesting.
• Expertise in the use of common hand tools and farm machinery and equipment.
• Nursery and greenhouse knowledge
• Knowledge to plan, monitored and scheduled farming activities and performed farming activities such as planting, cultivating, irrigating, harvesting, applying and fertiliser.
• Experience of working in a farm in varying capacities and able to contribute to this exciting project
• knowledge of goats, cows and chicken livestock’s

Duties:

• Assist in planning, design of farm layout, pond creation, swales and irrigation planning and implementation.
• Tend to farm animals and livestock in a bid to keep them fed and healthy
• Cultivate soil and sow crops on a designated piece of land
• Perform slashing and maintenance activities to ensure weed control
• Perform harvesting activities by using equipment such as tractors
• Observe livestock for signs of illnesses and report any observations
• Irrigate soil to ensure the quality of crop

Architects and construction workers

Volunteers will participate in the construction of outbuildings for the Cacao Elegguá Eco Farm. You will have the opportunity to participate in many of the construction stages.

Skills required:

• Engineering & Building
• Architecture
• Plumbing & electrical
• Carpentry

Chef/Cooks

Utilising all of the available foods growing in the farm (manioc, sweet potato, yam, plantain…)
A dynamic and imaginative check/ cook who is interested in taking on the challenge of discovering & using local organic ingredients to learn new recipes and utilise their knowledge to create delicious dishes

What we expect

Volunteering hours: 25 to 35 hours a week
We are looking for people who can spend from at least a month with us, working eight hours a day, five days a week.
When: from February 2017
Places available: 22

Languages spoken

English
Desirable: Spanish & French

What we offer

Free accommodation
We have spacious 6 man comfortable tents which will be occupied by 3 people. There are separate tents for females. Solid houses are in the process of being built.
Hammocks are also available.

Free food
Local food, grown on the farm (yam, plantain, cassava, fish).
A small participation will be required for food provisions bought for the volunteers.

What’s not included: flight, internal transport, travel health insurance, pocket money, visa.

What else …
The local town is Kenema and the journey to the village is 28miles by local bike taxi. A bus can be taken from Freetown to Kenema, which is a 5 to 6 hours’ drive. It recommended to leave Freetown with the earliest bus.
You are welcome to hitch a lift with us when we drive into town. The area is very peaceful and volunteers will get time to relax and go bird spotting in the forest. We are located  near the Tiwai island and the Gola Forest.
We keep a positive attitude and above all, we are flexible to change and excited to bring a positive endeavour to Kenema. Life at the farm is very simple with no electricity but we are going to install a solar system. We recommend that you bring your own solar lights for the evenings.

How to apply

Please send your CV and a cover letter detailing your interest in the project and how you would contribute.
Our email: cacaoeleggua@gmail.com

Sierra Leone myths debunked

Sierra Leone is war-torn and dangerous.
The Civil War conflict ended in 2002. It is a peaceful country with great potential.

There’s still Ebola
Sierra Leone was declared Ebola transmission free by the World Health Organisation on 17 March 2016.

There’s lions and tigers at large

Sierra Leone fauna consists of hippopotamus, antelopes, buffalos,  monkeys and baboons. You’re not likely to run into a leopard in Kenema!

It’s extremely hot and dry
Sierra Leone climate is tropical, with a rainy season and a dry season.
Temperatures average 30 degrees all year around, much like many Caribbean islands.