The project
For decades EstYES has been cooperating with eco-farms around Estonia to express a solidarity and respect to their work and to support local people involved in agricultural sector, who keep traditions and develop new eco-farming in Estonia despite of all difficulties they face. Kriusilla Farm is one of them. This is the organic farm dealing with traditional bees-keeping and growing vegetables, also with forestry - all promoting sustainable lifestyle. This camp is offered to volunteers who appreciate and share eco-values, want to learn more about it and to help hard working people. This camp follows positive experience of the camps hosted there for past 20 years.
Volunteer work
Kriusilla is a small farm dealing with beekeeping, vegetables growing and forestry. Volunteers will be doing some forestry work (cleaning and weeding forestry, planting trees, building wood construction) but also gardening, harvesting vegetables, collecting honey, cleaning and improving bee houses, possibly helping to build new ones. The working day will be 5-7 hours depending on weather conditions.
Accommodation
The accommodation conditions on the farm will be simple but decent. Beds are provided. Please bring your sleeping bags. Toilets and showers are available. There is kitchen with all necessary equipment for cooking. Volunteers will be served food cooked by the hosts but are asked to assist cleaning. You must have an open mind and be willing to adapt to the simple conditions of country life and be ready for the farm work, which can sometimes be demanding. Important note: Volunteers must, of course, not be afraid of or allergic to bees.
Leisure
There are a lot of leisure time possibilities in the area for people enjoying nature and interested in sustainable way of living. There are many interesting natural sites in the area - Jagala River with a waterfall 4 km away, picturesque lakes about 20 km away and the sea 40 km away. Short trips in the area are planned by hosts. It is very easy and quite possible to go to Tallinn on your own in the free time to enjoy its attraction and numerous opportunities flourishing in summer period. Besides, there are usually local festivities in the villages nearby www.voose.ee; www.viikingitekyla.ee ; www.korvemaa.ee/en ; www.anijamois.ee/ which can be attended together with the hosts. NB! The first camp shift in June coincides with Mid-Summer Festival, which is the largest celebration in Estonia, so those joining it can experience this unique Estonian ancient tradition.
Travel
The farm is located in the municipality of Anija, in the Harjumaa district. The distance to the capital, Tallinn, is approximately 40 km. You can travel to Tallinn in various ways: by plane, boat, and bus. You can also take the train to Kehra. More information can be found at www.visitestonia.com
You arrange the travel to your project yourself. IBO asks all volunteers to travel in the most sustainable way possible, so preferably by train or bus. What you at least can do, is compensate your CO2 emissions. You can find more information about this on the website of Milieu Centraal. You can also compensate your emissions via IBO, by donating to our partner’s tree planting project in Uganda. You can read more about that here..
Preparation
IBO offers a good preparation for your volunteering work abroad.You will receive a digital information package and an invitation to a preparation meeting. Read more about the proces from departure until return.
Cost
IBO asks €50 registration fee. In addition, you pay a participation fee of €189 for this project. You can also become an IBO-supporter, then you do not pay a registration fee.
Would you like to know more about how your contribution is made and how it is spent? Read about the costs for participation.
Register
Register as a volunteer at IBO here.