First Volunteer Phase
Explore a summary of what happened in the first phase.
Many thanks to all those who have given their time, energy, money and love to Dalo Tsána Home. Phase 1 of the volunteer program was intended as an experiment and was a wildly successful journey. Each volunteer contributed something special and unique to this project.
Adrian Garcia - CRC
Rafael León - CRC
Krissya Guevara - CRC
Vicky Winter - CRC
Joshua Rodríguez - CRC
Sebastían Viquez - CRC
Andrés Mugurel - IRL
Maria Droenkova - RUS
Débora - POR
Fernando Guitierrez - NIC
Alonso Guerrero - NIC
André Linares - SAL
Henry Solorzano - SAL
Jonathan Castellanos - PTO RICO
Ayelet Ladsinski - ISR
Sydney Kale - USA
Andres Gallego - USA
Tessa Jons - USA
Lauren Suero - USA
Jack Terry - USA
Celia Hefferman - USA
Haley - USA
Angela Leberman - USA
Rachel - USA
Matilda Park - USA
Gabriel Carcamo - Sweden
Francois - FRA
Catalina Fernandez - ARG
Joselyn - GER
Friederich - GER
Polly Sage - ENG
Everest Bond - USA
In 8 months many things happened, people grew and helped each other.
This experience has had its pros and cons; working with many new people, cooking together, sharing activities, and stories of growth can be a challenging experience. With both sides of the coin, there were uncomfortable moments and sad times, but also situations that helped different people to change mindsets and ways of behaving. On the other hand, there were many people having life-changing experiences, giving testimony after their stay on the lessons learned and how the experience has given new breath to their lives.
Random Stories
• Two friends from Israel came to the farm. They spent 1 day at the farm and sent me a message with a list of 30 products to purchase. I planned to return in two days. The day after they asked for the products, they left the farm without saying anything, also with food from the farm.
- One 21 year old from the USA arrived on Friday night. We clean the house on Saturday and Sunday is free, so on Monday we started to working with agriculture projects. 20 minutes after we started, she explained that this wasn’t the work that she wanted, so we continued talking and after 2 hours she left the farm without saying anything. My dog followed her. He is just a puppy and only had 3 weeks on the farm, so he almost got lost.
- The first official trip of Dalo Tsana to the Cabécar protected area of indigenous families occured on the 14th of October with one female volunteer from Argentina and two males from Puerto Rico and France.
- Some volunteers experienced their first campfire here in the mountains
- 3 woman and 2 men practiced the basics of Salsa dancing
- The first sign with the logo of Dalo Tsana was created in wood with tools that weren’t designed for that work, so we spent like 4 hours just carving into the wood.
- In the process of working close to the camping area, we discovered a waterfall that is within our property.
Pros
- Now there’s a greenhouse that has 11 medicinal plants, and has produced multiple vegetables and aromatic herbs.
- The old chicken area was deconstructed and a new one was born.
- We created the fireplace (twice) from scratch, the camping area and the meditation area.
- The new plant nursery and agricultural areas are almost complete, in the coming days we are set to finish.
- 6 indigenous families have been significantly helped.
- We have a strategy to work with the indigenous community of Tulesi, now leaders are in contact and coordinating on new projects.
- We have an initial version of the program “Work and Education for Rural and Indigenous Zones”
- We are in contact with the first official tourist guide of the nearest town.
Cons
There’s a need for more privacy in our home. Outside we can create activities that give space to volunteers but there’s also a need for privacy if you just want to be alone for a while indoors.
Solution; we have paused the volunteer program to create the first Dalo Tsana cabin to host tourists and volunteers.
Melo, our caretaker, is the only person in charge of the property when Michael is away. Michael is just one collaborator of the Dalo Tsána project and needs to work in the city at times. Thankfully, there were other 2 collaborators who provided companionship and leadership during the stays of other volunteers.
Solution; Michael is building his new home on the property near the farm. We are also constructing new buildings and frameworks to dedicate a home to the volunteers with a mechanic of autonomy and its own resources. In this way, groups of volunteers can live independently while participating in specific programs and executions on the farm.
3 failed attempts to put Wi-Fi on the farm.
Solution: There are two different requests in progress.
Donations
Lauren Suero = $100
Sydney = $100
Polly Sage = $100
Gabriel Carcamo = $100
Tessa = $100
Ayelet = $100
Committee of people that works at INS = $350
Alonso Guineal (Macho) = Corn bag
Adrian Garcia = 3 mineral and special stones
All who have bought the products from the farm.
Farm Issues
Accessibility
- We need to collect funds for walkie-talkies, Wi-Fi, a quarter bike, and a large passenger vehicle in order to be more effective in our visits to the indigenous area, Platanillo, and around the farm
In Progress
3 indigenous families enlisted for the first program, after legal documentation is ready.
In 2020 Michael is going back to the Shipibo indigenous community of Peru to continue his ayahuasca training, learn about new medicinal plants, and begin the first phase of his sustainability program.
Documentation for the new agriculture area that is almost done.
Creating the signs from Platanillo to the farm
Construction of the cabin for 4 people
Construction of the main area and the Gym
We are building a new storehouse to work smoothly
A Geo-Domo for the Maloca is in progress.
We are creating the signs from Platanillo to the farm
Next Steps in Volunteering Programs
When the new cabin for volunteers is complete and the tourist program is working, we will re-think the way volunteers are going to function on the farm to find a suitable experience and also a rewarding one regarding work. We want to provide the option to volunteers to earn something, with the exchange program we’re setting.
If you want to be part of the next phase, please send us an email with the specifics of your proposal. We will only be accepting individuals with specific intentions and skills at this time in order to potentiate the progress. The project is in its initial stages and requires someone with a basic knowledge of farming, construction, working on challenging terrain, or fast learner that is willing to work with soil, wood, building materials, and plants.
Please submit your request to start the adventure.
Download this doc and send it back to us so we can start the volunteer process
GRACIAS