Location
Kibbutz Beit-Oren is on top of the Carmel Mountains, south of the city Haifa. It is located in the middle of biosphere reservation, near Osfia and Daliat-al-Carmel, two lovely Druze villages. The area itself is dotted with ancient caves and unspoilt corners of the forest that are waiting to be discovered.
About the project
GoEco and "Meholelim"(Connecting People and Planet Centre) invite international volunteers to join this unique project and to take part in building a regional ecological community centre. The centre will be the focal point for the community to learn about and to become aware of its natural surroundings and sustainable way of living. The project envisions a place that will remind people of themselves and nature in all its aspects. The aim is to start building a little "paradise" located in a rare oak forest, the last surviving forest of those which used to cover the landscape of the Holy Land centuries ago. The overall project includes the on- going construction of a stone theatre and shallow pools, experiencing ecological economy , maintaining an organic agriculture, practicing wisdom (hochma) from the old Israelite philosophy and from other philosophies of wisdom including Kabbala and Zen.
The regional community is welcoming all inhabitants of the area to interact with nature and to discover a Big Mind and Big Heart. The project hopes to create integrative educational activities for all sectors of the population. As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to work on a project that is interacting positively between mankind and mother earth. You will have the opportunity to learn skills in building, stone working, forestry, land nurturing, organic agriculture and grey water. Volunteers will join fully in the month's activities and any holidays.
Volunteer work and contribution
Volunteers will assist in creating eco-friendly systems, such as: waterholes, terrace building, compost toilets, traditional farming, organic gardens, earth building, ecological and education programs of awareness and consciousness training and many more.
Accommodation & Facilities
As the place is a work in progress, conditions are rather basic. Volunteers will live in field conditions, in basic yet comfortable forest shelters, with outdoor toilets and showers (What can be better than showering under a tree???). There is an open kitchen with basic provisions and communal meals will be prepared.
Not just work...
During your free time you can go to the city of Haifa for sightseeing and night li
fe. The two lovely Druze villages of Osfia and Daliat-al-Carmel are nearby where you can explore the open markets and try the local cuisine. The beautiful national park beaches of Dor and Habinom can be reached by private car and is definitely worth a visit. On the Kibbutz there is a pub and swimming pool which open occasionally to the volunteers.
Minimum requirements
- Min age 18
- A minimum 4 week commitment
- High level of independence and flexibility
- Good level of English or Hebrew
- Able to do physically hard work in hot conditions
- Full travel & medical insurance
- Immunizations (please consult your doctor)
Additional information
About GoEco
Frequently asked questions
Volunteer logs
Pictures
GoEco community on Facebook