About the program
Those with a yearning to work the land and spend time in a rural village in the wonderful country of Turkey should sign up for this important program today. The agriculture and farming project takes place in a 'Living Village' in Beypazari, Ankara, the capital of Turkey. The 'Living Village', was established to show Turkey's cultural diversity, to examine and share traditional knowledge in depth and to allow the next generation to get to know this heritage and be inspired. It is Turkey's first applied culture and science museum which aims to exhibit folk life and its products. This program is a perfect fit for those who want to support the locals regarding the agriculture, gardening and animal husbandry and also to support the people of Beypazari and museum visitors to have an artistic and cultural experience. The aim of this fantastic program is to keep this 'Living Village' together and to help the community to sustain their cultural activities by supporting the institution and raise awareness within the community.
Goals of this Project:
- Help to support the maintenance of the village
- Help to preserve and raise awareness for the culture and history of the community.
- Expose volunteers and locals alike to different people and cultures
How You Can Help
By choosing this program, volunteers will have the opportunity of interacting and working with locals and getting to know the Turkish culture and history first-hand by supporting the 'Living Village' and undertaking the following tasks:
- Work on garden maintenance
- Work on kitchen maintenance
- Work on cultivation and farming
- Work with farm animals and carry out animal husbandry duties
- Support the organization and development of workshops such as sculpture and ceramics, music, traditional hand-crafts, and traditional stories.
- Support the development and maintenance of the villages website and graphic design.
- Support the community with other duties as required.
- Interact with the community and teach them about their own lives and where they live.
Requirements
Love Volunteers welcomes all those 18 years and over. This 'hands-on' project is best suited to those who have a passion for agriculture, culture and history, and/or environmental studies, or who simply wish to explore an interest in these fields. However, the project is open to all and does not require participants to have specific education, qualifications or experience, as you will be shown everything you need to know by your local project leader. All volunteers must show proof of their Covid vaccination. All applicants must of course display a genuine willingness to help, be fit and active, show drive and initiative, and bring a positive 'can-do' attitude. If this sounds like you, we want you on the team!
Additionally, volunteers applying to join this program will be required to supply to following documentation:
- Emergency contact
- Police check
- Vaccination Certificate
Project Location
The agriculture and farming project takes place in a 'Living Village' in Beypazari, Ankara, the capital of Turkey.
The village consists of an Anatolian open air museum and a museum hotel where there are private and pubic spaces, selected from architectural examples from between 17th and 20th centuries from different geographical regions of Turkey. The essence of an open-air museology is to research, exhibit and interpret traditional structures that were left orphaned in the face of huge forces such as modernism and capitalism, and the cultural accumulation formed around them.
Start Dates & Duration
This project is available year-round with arrivals every SUNDAY. Volunteers can choose to participate for periods ranging from 1 week to 3 weeks. Longer stays on a single project cannot be accommodated.
Spaces on this project are limited and therefore subject to availability. Early booking is recommended.
For current available start dates please check the calendar on the right.
Arrival & Orientation
Upon arrival in Ankara, you can travel by taxi or HAVAS from Ankara Esenboga Airport to the bus terminal. From there, you can take the bus to Beypazari, a district of Ankara. At the bus terminal, you can take a taxi to the "Living Village." The local team will be welcoming you at the Living Village.
HAVAS information - https://esenbogaairport.com/en-EN/passenger-guide/to-from-the-airport/airport-transportation
You will receive an orientation from the local team to help you settle in, find out about your volunteering placement, the local surroundings and meet any fellow volunteers. A representative from the local team will fill you in on local and regional customs, traveling, rules and recommendations, and of course, what to expect from your volunteering experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know your hosts, meet your fellow volunteers, and ask any last questions you may have.
- Arrival Day: SUNDAY
- Departure Day: SATURDAY
- Arrival/Departure Airport: Ankara Esenboga Airport (code ESB)
Accommodation & Meals
Volunteers in Ankara arrange their own accommodation, meals and airport transfer.
We recommend booking accommodation at the Yasayan Koy Museum Hotel where you will be volunteering throughout your experience.
Fees
That’s just USD 40 per day* for:
*In addition to the program fees listed above a Registration Fee is payable to secure your place. The registration fee is USD 299 for those volunteering with Love Volunteers for the first time or USD 149 for any subsequent volunteer placements. The registration fee includes: lifetime LV Alumni Membership, fundraising support & advice, dedicated pre-departure support, certificate of completion (on request), and exclusive access to the LV Trip Planner.
Some things are not included in the program fees listed above, such as flights, visas, vaccinations, travel insurance, additional foods and snacks, spending money, local transport, in-country trips and excursions, return airport transfer (unless mentioned above).
Please note that prices are subject to change without notice. Please ensure you have read the Love Volunteers Terms and Conditions & Refund Policy.