Sustainable Living &
Natural Building
INTERNSHIP
Next Course Dates:
September 17 - November 19, 2013
Now accepting applications
(Applicants can request a shorter time stay,
although priority will be given to full-term applicants)
INTERNSHIP
Next Course Dates:
September 17 - November 19, 2013
Now accepting applications
(Applicants can request a shorter time stay,
although priority will be given to full-term applicants)
Internship Overview:
Mama Roja offers in-depth internship programs to individuals interested in getting first-hand experience in the different aspects of Sustainable Living: Organic Gardening, Earthen and Natural Building, Renewable Energies, Natural Food Production, Seed Saving, Yoga/Meditation, and Community Living.
Participants will have the opportunity for personal growth through shared learning and responsibility in self-reliant living. The internship consists of learning, problem-solving, discussing, and exploring in a positive working environment of like-minding people. There will be daily workshops, verbal and visual presentations, and hands-on work.
The program also provides opportunity for ample rest time, swimming in the waterfall and rivers, personal practices such as yoga and meditation, and sharing delicious meals.
Participants will have the opportunity for personal growth through shared learning and responsibility in self-reliant living. The internship consists of learning, problem-solving, discussing, and exploring in a positive working environment of like-minding people. There will be daily workshops, verbal and visual presentations, and hands-on work.
The program also provides opportunity for ample rest time, swimming in the waterfall and rivers, personal practices such as yoga and meditation, and sharing delicious meals.
- Natural Building: We will be constructing an Earthen building with our hands and feet! We will explore and play with various natural building techniques: bamboo, wood, Earth, including adobe bricks, cob, wattle-and-daub, and earthbag. We will cover foundation, design principles, wall construction, plaster and natural painting, roofing, and creative use of site-found and salvaged materials. You will have plenty of skills at the end of the course to help you build your own Earthen structures!
- Organic Gardening: We will be making garden beds, composting, amending the soil, planting and transplanting. Also, we will cover seed saving, companion planting, natural pesticide and fertilizer making, and more... You will know plenty about how to start your own gardens and plant lots of your own food!
- Extended Sustainable Workshops: We will have discussions and demonstrations on lots of self-reliant skills, such as: Jarring and preserving, Fermentation (yogurt, kefir, cheeses, wine, Kombucha, etc), Cultivation of micro-organisms for health and garden, Soap-making, Alternative Refrigeration, “Appropriate Technologies,” Reforestation, Chicken and Duck Care, and Herbal Medicine Making.
- There will also be plenty of time to explore projects of personal interest and creativity, and for practicing yoga, meditation, medicinal plant searches, nature hikes, waterfall and river swimming. It's your learning adventure!
Course Details and Information:
General Schedule:
- Work Days: 5 days per week, morning and afternoon sessions, with an extended break in the middle of the day for lunch and siesta.
- There will be regular days off, group field trips, and a 5-day break in the middle of the course
- There will be an optional extended stay after the course for those interested in joining the community for longer participation, or joining in our community workshops.
Meals:
We have a community kitchen where we all share in the meal preparations and clean-up. We provide 3 healthy and delicious vegetarian meals daily with fruits and veggies from our garden and other local farms.
We have a community kitchen where we all share in the meal preparations and clean-up. We provide 3 healthy and delicious vegetarian meals daily with fruits and veggies from our garden and other local farms.
Site, Lodging and Facilities:
Mama Roja is located in a beautiful sub-tropical forest with many rivers and waterfalls. The center is on 78 acres in a quiet rural area within walking distance to a local bus to take you to the nearby town which has many amenities (internet, restaurants, bakeries, pharmacies, etc.)
Housing and Camping:
- There are shared earthen cabins available on a first-come basis. Cabin accommodation must be requested and reserved in advance.
- There is lots of space for camping around the property and in sites tucked into the forest. You will need to bring a tent, bedding, and other gear to make yourself comfortable.
Community Spaces and Amenities:
- We eat our meals, have meetings and discussions, and watch films in our community kitchen and patio area.
- There is a community bathhouse with a shower and composting toilets.
- Washing clothes: There is a bike-pedal powered laundry machine on-site. Also, you can hand-wash in the rivers, and there are drop-off laundry services in town.
- We have a Living Library with books on sustainability, natural and Earthen building, organic gardening, history, fiction, meditation, yoga, natural health and healing, etc. (Book donations are always welcome and appreciated!)
Course Language: English (Spanish optional)
Tuition Contribution*: We are a donation based organization; all contributions go toward Mama Roja Project.
Sept-Nov Course: $1850 USD
A non-refundable deposit will be due upon confirmation to reserve your spot. The remainder of your contribution will be expected on the first day of the internship.
* Special arrangements for partial scholarship can be made for participants from Argentina or other "developing" countries, or for those demonstrating financial need.
Considering the length and intensity of this program we would like to know more about you and make sure that you understand the nature of the program. There are no prerequisites to participation, but we want to make sure what we offer fits your needs.
Write a short letter introducing yourself, answering the following questions:
1) General information: What is your age, sex (if not obvious by your name), how do you occupy your time (work, school, etc.), and where do you live?
2) What experience do you have with building, gardening/farming and alternative energy systems?
3) Why do you want to participate in a sustainable living and natural building program?
4) How do you hope to integrate the experience/learning into your life?
5) Describe your experience living and/or working in a small community.
6) Do you have any emotional or health difficulties that are affecting your life now?
7) What months are you applying for and what is your preferred accommodation?
(Applicants can request a shorter time stay --minimum one month-- although priority will be given to full-term applicants.)
Please send your letter and any questions you may have to mama.roja@yahoo.com.
Please send your letter and any questions you may have to mama.roja@yahoo.com.
The size of the program is limited to ensure that everyone can accomplish their individual learning needs. Participants will be accepted on a rolling basis, with priority given to long term stays. Applications will be accepted until the program fills or a waiting list begins. Please wait for acceptance before making travel arrangements.
