📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
Desert Days is a unique village resort built from mud and local materials. It is an eco-lodge that was built by hand, from the ground up. It's a creative and gratifying experience that requires a lot of hard work. The use of eco-friendly materials in green building is important for two reasons: firstly, for the welfare of our planet; and secondly, simply for ourselves. Building with mud is worlds away from working with concrete, wood, acrylic materials etc.. Mud is a "tolerant' material. The dried material can be "revived" and re-shaped over a long period of time, and of course, you can enjoy getting your hands dirty as you work. Desert Days was created by a young family to fulfill the principles of simplistic living and close contact to the earth. Guests are hosted from around the world to enjoy this stunning place while learning about and experiencing sustainable living.
💼 What the programme involves
Volunteers will mainly assist with the construction and maintenance of the eco village. Volunteers and staff will use earth found in the surrounding area. Volunteers will learn different techniques to mould the Earth and sustainable materials to create the following: Eco cabins Benches Sitting Areas Decorative patterns Renovation of structures when needed There is also a hospitality component to the program that requires volunteers to be involved in general maintenance duties such as: cleaning, gardening, repairs, cooking, and preparing huts for eco-tourist guests. During national holidays volunteers duties will be focused mainly hosting guests at the eco village. Volunteers are expected to work 6-7 hours per day / 5 days per week. The team is small, intimate and friendly. The work requires manual-labor and spending lots of hours outside in the Negev desert.
🏠 Accommodation on site
Volunteers will stay in basic bedouin style huts for 1 - 2 people with mattresses, linen and wood burning heaters. Facilities include: communal living room, equipped kitchen, shared compost toilets, hot showers and outdoor fireplace. Food will be provided for cooking.
📍 About the location
After work hours, volunteers can enjoy this unique desert region, relax by the new eco pool, and just chill out under the stars. Volunteers will receive the weekends off to explore other regions of Israel such as Eilat and Jerusalem. Volunteers can also join Yoga lessons once a week at the resort.
requirements
Conversational English or Hebrew Good physical fitness Strong work ethic Motivation to do physical and demanding work Able to work in harsh desert climate Highly independent Full travel & medical insurance Volunteers should note that the project is located in an isolated part of the desert, most contact is with other volunteers and some travellers in the area.
ℹ️ Additional information
Project open all year round (except its closed from mid-June to mid-August) # Volunteers can start on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month # Required participation: Min 2 weeks - Max 8 weeks.