What it is to WWOOF

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August 18, 2010

My palms are calloused and my back aches. The sun has set on our second full day in Sri Lanka. The cappuccino machine in my stomach that has been affecting me since Mumbai four days ago is still burbling away.

SURGEON GENERAL'S WARNING: THE FOLLOWING PARAGRAPH INCLUDES DANGEROUS LEVELS OF ACRONYMS

Jean and I are volunteering with the Sri Lanka chapter of World Wide Opportunties on Organic Farms (WWOOF) making us WWOOFers. As indicated by the name WWOOF is active all over the world promoting cultural exchange, knowledge and skill sharing and cultivation without the use of insecticides or pesticides. The Sri Lanka WWOOF chapter is hosted by the Devasarana Development Centre (DDC) in the village of Yakalla (90 miles northeast of Columbo). The DDC is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) that works with surrounding villages to promote community and agricultural development, health, human rights, gender equality, literacy and civil society awareness. More on the DDC's programs later.


The DDC is a fairly large, spread out complex that sits on a 14 acre farm. The complex consists of offices, several open air lecture halls, a library, a large dining hall and lots of housing. Several of the DDC staff members live on site. For volunteers there are a couple of large dorm rooms (currently under renovation) and several private rooms. A few weeks ago I was sent detailed information that said the DDC had facilities to accommodate 50 people. Reading that I assumed the place would be buzzing with WWOOFers.


Besides us there's currently one other WWOOFer, a Frenchman name Herbie. Herbie is a 3rd year university student studying engineering and has been traveling around Sri Lanka for almost three months now. He takes off in a few days and the next WWOOFer isn't due in until October.

The DDC farm is a collective effort of the community members, DDC staff and of course WWOOFers
and largely spearheaded by the WWOOF coordinator Chaminda. The farm consists of coconut, banana and papaya trees and lots of pineapple plants. There's also pumpkins, melons, guava and various
vegetables.


Jean's camera did something funny with my lips. Left to right is Ambul, Chaminda and Herbie
Yesterday we worked for a few days in the afternoon with Deva weeding around some papaya saplings. 
Deva lives on site and fills sort of a caretaker/facilities manager role. This morning Jean, Herbie and I were out in the pineapple fields weeding from seven until the tea break just after 10am. Picking back up after the afternoon tea break at 3pm we worked until daylight began to fade at six.


Accommodations and Food at the DDC


Jean and I have been put up in a little bungalow on the DDC grounds about 50 yards from the dining hall. There are two bedrooms with a shared bath, a living room, wash room and a covered front porch. Our bedroom consists of two twin beds, mosquito nets, a desk, clothes horse and a fan.  Other than a couple of assorted tables and some plastic lawn furniture the rest of the bungalow is unfurnished. Its spartan but tidy and clean.

Food is also provided by the DDC. We get three meals a day usually in the the big airy dining hall. Deva or Chaminda typically prepare it for us. The food is simple Sri Lanka fare and typically comprises dhal or curry with rice, bread or roti. Jean and I particularly like boiled chick peas with shredded coconut. We get loads of fruit like bananas, limes and guava. Avocados, pumpkins and peppers are also plentiful. If you want the full DDC tour check out this link. 

DDC Pictures

Downtown Yakalla

Comments

sly said…
What kind of visa did Herby have to stay for three months? I thought you could only stay for 4 weeks.
11 October 2010 at 07:55
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