The project
Home for All is a Greek NGO committed to providing food to refugees in a refugee camp on the island of Lesbos. They also organize the distribution of personal care products, provide emergency aid to new arrivals, and support other local organizations with meals. Home for All maintains a 5-hectare organic farm where they do a lot of farming and care for several animals. The property has approximately 800 olive trees, and they recently purchased their own oil press to produce high-quality NIKA olive oil. Quality is paramount in all activities, and they strive for full circularity. Volunteers are welcome to support the daily work in the kitchen and on the farm at the organic farm. Many meals are prepared daily in the kitchen. These meals are intended for people in the refugee camp with special dietary requirements and for minor refugees. They also cook for local organizations, including an institution for people with disabilities. This project is available year-round on a tailor-made basis and for groups.
Volunteer work
IBO volunteers can assist in the kitchen with tasks such as preparing (cutting), cleaning, tidying, and possibly preparing and delivering meals. Volunteers can also help the permanent team of refugees and Greeks with sowing, weeding, watering, harvesting, and other tasks on the land and in the kitchen. The main language during the stay is English. Due to the heat, the work starts early and continues until early afternoon. Sometimes, there are a few more hours of work in the evenings.
Accommodation
A volunteer house for 4 people is available in a village near the farm. Transportation to and from the farm is provided. A van will pick you up daily. Breakfast and (hot) lunch can be provided at the farm. Volunteers can prepare their own evening meals using ingredients provided from the organic vegetable gardens, but the project partner can also arrange for this to be provided.
Leisure
In your spare time you can further explore the island. The location is close to the sea, so you can enjoy a swim or visit surrounding towns and villages. The team is happy to help you find fun excursions in the region and it is also possible to go out for dinner in the evening (instead of cooking yourself) and enjoy the Greek cuisine.
Travel
Volunteers are expected to arrange their own flight to the island of Lesvos in Greece. The volunteer group will be picked up there.
IBO asks all volunteers to travel in the most sustainable way possible, so preferably with public transport. Sometimes travelling by plane is inevitable. We kindly suggest to compensate your CO2 emissions. You can find more information about this on the website of Milieu Centraal. You can also compensate your emissions through 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.
Costs
IBO asks €50 registration fee. You can also become an IBO-supporter, then you do not pay a registration fee. In addition, you pay a tailor-made or group participation fee. Would you like to know more about how your contribution is made and how it is spent? Read about the costs for participation.
Fundraising for this project is greatly appreciated!
Register
Go to register to enroll in this project.