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VOLUNTEER IN BRAZIL AT A PERMACULTURE FARM

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  • Celebrating the Atlantic Forest and Mountain Culture in the Heart of Nova Friburgo: Agroforestry, Environmental Education, Volunteering and Adventure Sports

    Celebrating the Atlantic Forest and Mountain Culture in the Heart of Nova Friburgo: Agroforestry, Environmental Education, Volunteering and Adventure Sports

    [vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1739379399395{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1740408802641{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″][swmsc_text_block id=”” class=”” style=””]Is it possible to connect Agroforestry, Environmental Education, Volunteering and Adventure Sports? Read this article and find out if so!

    The month of May invites us to take a closer look at one of Brazil’s greatest natural treasures: the Atlantic Forest. On May 27, we celebrate National Atlantic Forest Day — more than just a tribute, this date is a call for awareness and collective action for the preservation and regeneration of nature that still survives among the mountains of southeastern Brazil.

    And if there’s one place where this call is taken seriously, it’s at Eco Caminhos, our ecofarm located in the mountainous region of Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro.

    🌿 A Living Forest That Needs Care

    The Atlantic Forest is home to around 72% of Brazil’s population and has already lost over 85% of its original vegetation. Even so, it remains one of the most biodiverse biomes in the world, with unique species of fauna and flora. Nova Friburgo is part of this ecosystem and therefore demands special attention.

    Preserving what’s left and restoring what’s been lost requires practical action, ecological education, and a new perspective on how we produce, consume, and live. At Eco Caminhos, we practice active environmental regeneration through agroforestry systems that mimic the natural functioning of forests, eco-friendly bioconstruction using local materials, and permaculture as both a philosophy and a lifestyle.[/swmsc_text_block][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][swmsc_image_gallery border_radius=”0″ border_width=”0″ border_color=”#e6e6e6″ image_margin=”40px” image_size=”full” columns=”1″ grid_type=”masonry” image_text=”none” hover_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_icon_bg_color=”#f8b54e” title_text_size=”20px” title_text_color=”#555555″ caption_text_size=”16px” caption_text_color=”#777777″ caption_border=”off” id=”” class=”” style=”” image_ids=”27340,27339″][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1739379399395{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][swmsc_image_gallery border_radius=”5px” border_width=”0″ border_color=”#e6e6e6″ image_margin=”20px” image_size=”full” columns=”3″ grid_type=”none” image_text=”none” hover_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_icon_bg_color=”#f8b54e” title_text_size=”20px” title_text_color=”#555555″ caption_text_size=”16px” caption_text_color=”#777777″ caption_border=”off” id=”” class=”” style=””][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][swmsc_text_block id=”” class=”” style=””]🌱 Eco Caminhos: Environmental Regeneration and Social Transformation

    Caring for the Atlantic Forest is not a campaign — it’s our daily routine. At our farm, we don’t just admire the forest — we work daily to regenerate it.

    We are an ecofarm founded on permaculture principles, nestled in the mountains of Nova Friburgo. Here, we live and promote an integrated approach to sustainability that includes:

    Our work goes beyond the land: we positively impact the local community, promoting social inclusion, environmental education, and offering opportunities for youth and adults to reconnect with nature in a practical and transformative way.[/swmsc_text_block][swmsc_image_gallery border_radius=”0px” border_width=”0″ border_color=”#e6e6e6″ image_margin=”20px” image_size=”full” columns=”2″ grid_type=”masonry” image_text=”none” hover_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_icon_bg_color=”#f8b54e” title_text_size=”20px” title_text_color=”#555555″ caption_text_size=”16px” caption_text_color=”#777777″ caption_border=”off” id=”” class=”” style=”” image_ids=”27341,27343,27344,26962″][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1739379399395{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column][swmsc_image_gallery border_radius=”5px” border_width=”0″ border_color=”#e6e6e6″ image_margin=”20px” image_size=”full” columns=”3″ grid_type=”none” image_text=”none” hover_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_icon_bg_color=”#f8b54e” title_text_size=”20px” title_text_color=”#555555″ caption_text_size=”16px” caption_text_color=”#777777″ caption_border=”off” id=”” class=”” style=””][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][swmsc_text_block id=”” class=”” style=””]🏔️ Free Mountain Festival: Sports, Culture, and Nature in Harmony

    This year, the Free Mountain Festival added even more meaning to May. Held at Espaço ARP and in the mountains of Nova Friburgo, the event celebrates outdoor life and mountain culture with activities like trekking, climbing, trail running, along with environmental talks, cultural exhibitions, and open-air cinema.

    More than a sporting event, the Free Mountain Festival proved that it’s possible to combine adventure, art, culture, and environmental responsibility — creating experiences that both inspire and raise awareness.

    Eco Caminhos strongly believes in this type of initiative. Seeing so many people connect with nature and exchange knowledge reinforces our belief that change is already underway — and can gain even more strength through unity and purpose.

    Check out the event website: https://freemountain.com.br/[/swmsc_text_block][swmsc_image_gallery border_radius=”0px” border_width=”0″ border_color=”#e6e6e6″ image_margin=”20px” image_size=”full” columns=”2″ grid_type=”masonry” image_text=”none” hover_icon_color=”#ffffff” hover_icon_bg_color=”#f8b54e” title_text_size=”20px” title_text_color=”#555555″ caption_text_size=”16px” caption_text_color=”#777777″ caption_border=”off” id=”” class=”” style=”” image_ids=”27345,27346″][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1740408854358{margin-right: 30px !important;margin-left: 30px !important;}”][vc_column width=”1/2″ css=”.vc_custom_1740579636539{margin-right: 100px !important;padding-right: 50px !important;}”][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][swmsc_image link=”#” lightbox=”true” target=”_self” lightbox_type=”image” align=”left” alt=”” title=”” border_radius=”0px” id=”” class=”” style=”” src=”27342″][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/2″][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][swmsc_text_block id=”” class=”” style=””]🌍 Sustainability in Practice: Our Local and Global Role

    Eco Caminhos is a space for ecological and social transformation. We welcome volunteers, apprentices, and tourists from all over the world who come to learn, teach, and live a new way of connecting with the Earth. By regenerating the soil, planting trees, building homes with earth, and living in community, we are writing a new narrative for the planet — and it starts here, in the Atlantic Forest.

    We believe that preservation doesn’t happen alone. It takes partnerships, events, education, and the active presence of the community. That’s why we celebrate every movement that values our mountains, our forest, and our mountain culture.[/swmsc_text_block][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row css=”.vc_custom_1731520578623{margin-right: 20px !important;margin-left: 20px !important;}”][vc_column][gap size=”30px” id=”” class=”” style=””][swmsc_text_block id=”” class=”” style=””]🤝 The Future Depends on Our Choices

    The Atlantic Forest needs more than protection — it needs engaged, connected people willing to change the way they live. That’s what we seek at Eco Caminhos. And that’s why every visit, every festival, every volunteer, and every tree planted matters.

    If you believe in this path, come visit us. Join us as a volunteer, apprentice, or guest. Help regenerate the forest and build a fairer, more sustainable, and nature-connected future.
    🌐 www.zieplay.com[/swmsc_text_block][vc_single_image image=”27074″ img_size=”large” css=””][/vc_column][/vc_row]

  • Evapotranspiration Basin – What is it?

    Evapotranspiration Basin – What is it?

    What is an evapotranspiration basin? It is a wastewater treatment system that uses plants and soil to remove impurities and purify water. Also known as constructed wetland or floating root zone, however, it mimics the natural water filtration and purification processes that occur in swamps and wetlands.

     

    Evapotranspiration is the sum of the processes of evaporation and transpiration.
    Eco Caminhos website logo

     

    How does Evapotranspiration occur in the basin?

    It occurs when water is transferred to the atmosphere from surface water movements, processes known as evaporation and transpiration. Evapotranspiration depends on these two distinct processes, as they occur simultaneously on the Earth’s surface.

    In general, it can be measured in millimeters per day (mm/day) with vegetated water tanks. One millimeter means transferring one liter of water available from the soil into the atmosphere for each square meter of the surface.

    In short, evapotranspiration depends on several factors, such as soil management, use and humidity, climatic conditions, due to the incidence of solar radiation and temperature, and characteristics of the vegetation in question. It can be divided into actual, potential, reference evapotranspiration and crop evapotranspiration.

     

    Processes that make up an evapotranspiration basin

     

     

    Evaporation and Transpiration

    primeira camada de materiais: pneus e pedra rachão.Evaporation is a physical process of phase change, which occurs from the liquid state to the gaseous state of water.

    It occurs in oceans, lakes, rivers, soils and vegetation. It is worth mentioning that evaporation is an endothermic transformation. This means that it absorbs heat during its occurrence.

    Transpiration is a biophysical process in which a plant expels excess water through its leaves. The process of transferring the water used in the plant’s metabolism to the atmosphere occurs through the stomata and the cuticle.

    eco caminhos website logo 2

     

     

    ecolibrium project logogrupo de pessoas trabalhando na construção de uma bacia

    Stomata are located in the epidermis of the leaves, generally in their lower part. These structures have the ability to open and close, allowing the exchange of gases with the environment and the escape of steam.

    On the other hand, the cuticle that covers the leaves can be considered waterproof. Thus, there is only a small loss of water into the atmosphere.

    Evapotranspiration in arid environments

    In arid environments it can be a challenging process due to the lack of humidity and the scarcity of available water. However, even in arid environments, evapotranspiration still occurs, albeit at lower rates than in wetter areas.

     

    Evapotranspiration is the combination of evaporation of water from the soil and transpiration from plants. In arid environments, evaporation is more significant than transpiration, due to the lack of vegetation and low soil moisture.

    precipitação, evaporação e transpiração

    Evaporation occurs when water in the ground turns to vapor due to solar energy and heat. In arid environments, lack of soil moisture and high temperature can result in faster evaporation.

     

    In arid environments, plant transpiration also occurs, although on a smaller scale due to the lack of vegetation. Plants in arid environments often have special adaptations to conserve water, to reduce water loss through transpiration.

    Understanding these processes in arid environments is fundamental to the sustainable management of water resources in these areas.

    modelo de uma bacia de evapotranspiração

     

    What are the types of evapotranspiration?

     

     

    preenchendo bacia com camada de terra.

    Actual or current (ET): The amount of water that is brought into the atmosphere by evaporation and transpiration, considering actual conditions, including the amount of water available in the soil and the atmospheric factors in effect.

    Potential (ETp): Measure of the amount of water that is released into the atmosphere through the combined processes of evaporation and transpiration in a wide region covered by vegetation.

    Reference (ETo): is a measure of the amount of water delivered to the atmosphere when there is high availability of water in the soil.

    Oasis (ETO): is the process of evaporation and transpiration that occurs in a region of irrigated vegetation, delimited by a vast area of aridity.

    Of the crop (ETc): refers to the evapotranspiration of a crop under ideal development conditions, without water restrictions.

     

     

     

    What is the role of Evapotranspiration in Permaculture?

     

    ilustração do papel da evapotranspiração na permacultura.

    In permaculture, the role of evapotranspiration is crucial to the functioning of the system. Through the combined process of evaporation of water from the soil and transpiration of plants.

     

    In permaculture, evapotranspiration plays several important roles:

     

    • Water cycle:

      When water evaporates from the surface of the soil and plants, forming clouds and eventually returning to the earth as rain, this helps maintain the water balance of the permaculture system.

     

    • Temperature regulation:

      When water evaporates from plants and soil, it removes heat from the environment, cooling it. This is especially important in hot climates, where evapotranspiration can help reduce temperatures and create a more comfortable environment for plants and living things.

     

    • Air humidity:

      Increased by releasing water vapor into the atmosphere. This is beneficial for plants as it helps prevent drying out and dehydration. Furthermore, air humidity can attract pollinators and benefit biodiversity in the permaculture system.

     

    • Nutrients and water cycling:

      It also facilitates nutrient cycling in the permaculture system. As water evaporates, nutrients dissolved in the water are transported to plants, where they are used for growth and development. When plants transpire, these nutrients are returned to the soil, enriching it and promoting fertility.

    imagem aerea pessoas espalhando brita na bacia de evapotranspiração.

    vista ensolarada bacia de evapotranspiração.

    In summary…

     

    Evapotranspiration plays a transformative role in permaculture, for the water cycle, regulating temperature, increasing air humidity and facilitating nutrient cycling. Understanding and harnessing this process is fundamental to the success of a sustainable permaculture system.

    pessoas sentadas em torno de uma bacia de evapotranspiração

    Research Source: https://www.saude.pr.gov.br/sites/default/arquivos_restritos/files/documento/2020-04/baciadeevotranspiracaobet.pdf

  • Social Impact 2022

    Social Impact 2022

    The Partners & their history

     

    Over the passed 20 years a group of organization have colaborated in social activities mainly focussed on underprivileged youth in Brazil. It all started with the Comunidade Rural Casa do Caminho orphanage in Brazil where Bart Bijen became the managing director. In 2006 the Stichting Avante Educação Brasil was founded in the Netherlands with the objective to support the children of the orphanage and other underpriviledged youth in Brazil.

    Then in 2009 the Caminhos Language Centre in Rio de Janeiro was founded. A Portuguese Language School for foreigners with 2 goals. Generate funding for underprivileged children and teens from the orphanage and also the favelas in Rio de Janeiro. The school is owned by Bart and Jascha. Jascha is the managing director.

    In the language school surged “Mais Caminhos” which was the social arm of the school which grew together with the school and is now an established organization.

    And in 2015 Eco Caminhos in Nova Friburgo, Brasil was founded with the purposes to impact both the environment and underprivileged youth.

    As the social programs have grown in 2023 we have now founded a Brazilian Foundation called “Ecolibrium” with the purpose to raise funds in Brazil and abroad to increase the social and environmental impact in the region.

     

    The realized work in 2022

    The support of educational and social projects in Brazil by the Avante Educação Brasil Foundation runs through the programs: 1. Mais Caminhos 2. Eco Caminhos Apprenticeship (school) 3. Support for Davi and family

    Mais Caminhos

    In the program Mais Caminhos is aimed at providing education and support for children from the favelas Cantagalo and Pavuna in Rio de Janeiro.  The program functions at the Caminhos Language Center in Rio de Janeiro. The manager Marie Dupuy runs a team of volunteers.  For a reports of the activities and achievement you can check the mais caminhos website.

    Eco Caminhos Apprenticeship

    The Avante Educação foundation  also supports the apprenticeship program of Eco Caminhos. An Eco farm near Nova Friburgo in the state of Rio de Janeiro.  The Eco Farm also receives underprivileged young adults with little perspective. youngsters live at the farm for one or two years receiving accommodation, food and a stipend. The young adults can specialize in bio-construction or agroforestry.

    They also learn how to behave on the labour market and how to take care of themselves: cleaning, cooking and learning how to handle money. In 2022, there were 4 apprentices. Of these, three have successfully completed the programme. One of them is now contracted by Eco Caminhos as an employee, two have left after going abroad after meeting a friend within Eco Caminhos. In 2023, two new apprentices have  started and two more are starting in May,

    Davi and Family

    Support to Davi and family The Avante Educação Brasil Foundation has been supporting Davi Porfirio and his siblings for many years. The family spent an important part of their childhood in the Casa do Caminhos orphanage near Rio de Janeiro. Davi then spent an exchange year in Genhout Beek with the Pirson family . He then went to study and works at the Caminhos Language Centre where he is responsible for touristic activities for the students. Two brothers and a sister are now adults and stand on their own two feet. There is another brother Tiago who is forteen years old and is currently in school. In the video below Davi explains why the support needs to continue for a few more years.

    Davi will now move to France in 2023 where his girlfriend lives. Luciana, Davi’s sister, will continue to care for Tiago. Luciana doesn’t make enough money to support Tiago. Davi will have to set up his life in Europe first and get a job in France . Until then, we will continue to provide financial support. We kindly ask the donors to continue to support for at least another four years until Tiago is an adult. Davi is supported by about 40 sponsors who pay a monthly amount.

     

    AEB Foundation

    The AEB Foundation does fundraising for all the projects described above and does annual fundraisers for specific projects. The board consists of Jan Bijen (chairman), Jascha Lewkowitz (secretary treasurer) and Maarten Vonhögen (secretary).

  • Canadian students build a park in Nova Friburgo school.

    Canadian students build a park in Nova Friburgo school.

    Coming from Canada direct to the neighborhood of Cordoeira – participate in an action in local school, build park and participate in bioconstruction and agroforestry project in partnership with ‘Eco Caminhos’.

     

    In partnership with the social program OFFGRID we are pleased to welcome a group of students from sainteanne school in Canada to help us build a playground in a school in Nova Friburgo – Padre Rafael Municipal School, in the Cordoeira neighborhood.

    They came to help us with a lot of love, passion, enthusiasm and happiness spreading throughout our community and also giving us a hand in the mass in our permaculture project at Eco Caminhos.
    They are from many parts of the globe we have Hungarians, Russians, Spanish, Indians, Chinese, Italians, English and French all together on a mission that began on Monday, 6, where they will remain until March 22.
    This is a great opportunity for them to learn a new language like Portuguese and also about different cultures and customs.

     

     

    Bart points out that the experience is rich for both students coming from other countries and young Brazilians:

    “Here they have the opportunity to know a foreign language and understand that young people on the other side of the world are equal, are only from another culture, with different race and language, but have many similar things and make us believe that the world is much smaller than we imagine”.

    The financial resources for the construction of the School Park were part of a donation from the students and they are acting as volunteers. It’s a wonderful gesture!

    The OFFGRID project is a bilingual project that follows the vision of development of children and young people through humanized sustainable habits and skills.

    João Guilherme Wermelinger, dentist who participates in the ‘Off Grid’ project at Padre Rafael school said he is full of expectations:

    “I’m sure it will be days of discovery, hope, diversity and inclusions, served by altruism and also empathy”.

     

    The seven young students from different corners of the world are accompanied by a teacher and will also produce a documentary on sustainable tourism, which is part of the completion of their school program.

    In addition to the interventions and benefits of the school in Cordoeira, students will have agroforestry experiences, will learn about Bioconstruction, as well as leisure activities such as trails, and walks in waterfalls of the city.

     

    Opportunities like this are extremely important both for young foreigners who come to make an exchange in Brazilian lands and for the young people here, who start to see more possibilities for a better future, the importance of taking care of our environment using sustainable practices for the greater good of the community and the planet in which we live. It is a fact that this immersion will provide a new worldview to these young people and we believe that we are following the right path in search of a better future.