📝 Detailed information
🏢 About the local organisation
In the heart of the Hautes Alpes region, the association “Les Villages des Jeunes” (www.villagesdesjeunes.org), in partnership with the SIVU of Haute-Maraize, has been managing, renovating, and reviving the reception centre of le Faï since 1990. It is a former agriculture domain situated at an altitude of 1000 meters. The old buildings of the farm have been developed into small apartments and group accommodations. At le Faï, from April to December, the association organises inclusion projects for local people facing social and professional difficulties, and host teenagers and young adults experiencing family, health or professional difficulties, in order to give them a possibility to get professional experience. In the summer, the Faï is also a place where professional artists and musicians come to work in and with this extraordinary place. Together, they create and perform at the yearly festivals that take place at the Faï, such as FestiFaï, Échos, and La Montagne qui chante (The Mountain that Sings). The international workcamps organised at the Faï contribute to make this place something “extra”, where people of different ages, from different countries and cultures, employees and volunteers, artists and tourists, live and work together for some days or several months. We hope that you, a volunteer from France or abroad, will also join this spirit of encountering and working together which bring our project to life.
💼 What the programme involves
Currently, the catchment area at the source of the farm is in a small wood accessible to the animals and walkers. In order to protect this catchment, you will create an enclosure around this place. Different techniques will be required: masonry, gardening work, brushing, and especially techniques of installation of a wire fence and a gate. Furthermore, last year's workcamp started a permaculture project at the Fai farm! Those who wish to, may contribute to the work related to this project: development of the greenhouse (ventilation, insulation, siding, window pane liming, ...); wood construction (vermicompost, frame, insect house, perches, storage cabin, chassis, guardians); water management (rainwater harvesting, irrigation system, bearish).
🏠 Accommodation on site
In individual tents located in the welcoming center of Faï, 05400 Le Saix, where volunteers from other workcamps will stay as well. You will also have access to bathrooms and the welcom center's rooms. The entertainment team will also invite you to become more involved in the community's life : menu and meal preparation using local produce, dish-washing, and clean up.
📍 About the location
The Le Faï farm (3 km from the village of Saix and 30 km from Gap)