OFFERING LEARNING OPPORTUNITIES TO YOUNG PEOPLE
Since 2020, Aarde-Werk de Stegge welcomes several volunteers from all over Europe, usually 2 to 3 at the same time. For us, it is a great honour and pleasure to give a chance to young volunteers (between 18 and 30 years old) to participate in an inspiring project, all thanks to the European Solidarity Corps.
The goal is to offer ESC volunteers:
ESC volunteers are involved in diverse activities, including:
What profile are we interested in?
We look for a multi-tasker with social skills who is:
Does that sound like you? Awesome! You can click here to register.
ESC Short-Term Volunteering Team Summer 2023
OUR CURRENT ESC VOLUNTEERS
FLEUR from Belgium (since December 2022)
“Hello! My name is Fleur, I am 26 years old and I come from Belgium.
I have always had a passion for nature. Whether it was watching birds, hiking, or camping, I felt most at peace and at home in a natural environment. That is why, after quitting my job and hearing about the European Solidarity Corps (ESC), I started looking for volunteering projects on sustainability and the environment. Quickly convinced Aarde-Werk de Stegge was the right place for me, I applied and was very grateful to be accepted as a volunteer here.
Gea’s experience and drive, combined with pure, unique moments close to nature, have already made lasting impressions on me that changed the way I view myself and the world around me. Can't wait to see what the following months will bring!”
NORA from Germany (since March 2023)
"Hey there! My name is Nora, I'm 20 years old and from Germany.
Getting the chance from the ESC to volunteer here at Aarde-Werk de Stegge, really has been one of my best practical experiences so far. The beautiful, inspiring farm and the amazing people I have met, it´s just wonderful! As someone coming from a city, it's really a complete different lifestyle, to suddenly wake up here, in the middle of the countryside.
But I have to say, I couldn't be happier to have so much wildlife, nature and permaculture around me! The last few months already taught me a lot about sustainability, farming and being a part of the environment. I'm sure that my knowledge can only expand further here and I'm excited looking forward to it!"
WORDS OF OUR FORMER VOLUNTEERS
You can also watch the Meet Our Volunteers videos in the Vlog section of this website or directly on our YouTube channel
MATHILDE (23) from France (October 2022 - July 2023)
"After getting a degree in urban studies focused on ecological transitions, I wanted both to get a more “hands-on” experience and to live abroad, which is how I found the opportunity to volunteer for 10 months at Aarde-Werk de Stegge. I didn't know much about nature or permaculture before my arrival, but I learned so much while living and working at the farm! Living in the tiny house throughout all the seasons has allowed me to reconnect to nature and spend time reflecting on what kind of life I want to live. It helped me a lot to understand myself better and imagine a professional project."
ANNE (20) from Spain (April – September 2022)
“My volunteering was a wonderful experience that I won’t ever forget. The farm is quite magical and special. I got to know myself better, to reconnect with nature and people, to feel braver and like I can take more risks in life, and I learned how to listen truly to myself. I feel like I’m a different person after staying at that place, a better person!
I have many fond memories of my time here: special talks with Gea, pizza dinners with the other volunteer Diane, sowing and planting little plants in the garden, going outside at night and stare at the stars in the summer…
To people who think about volunteering at Aarde-Werk de Stegge, I would say: Whatever it is you’re looking for, you will find it there! Try it, come with an open mind and you will enjoy the experience.”
ZULEMA (26) from Spain (July 2022)
“This summer I decided to spend my time differently and out of my comfort zone, that’s why I decided to do this volunteer project. Even though I was only a few weeks in the Netherlands, at the farm I met a lot of people from all over the world. I learned a new way to approach nature, how to nurture myself and how the environment provides us almost everything we need on a daily basis. This experience inspired me to write my master’s thesis on how we can use current resources to drive sustainable development in rural areas in my hometown in Spain.”
ROMEO (27) from France (April - September 2021)
"My name is Romeo and I was 27 years old when I did my voluntary service in Aarde-Werk de Stegge in 2021. I came from the South West of France. I graduated with a professional degree in Agronomy: Plant Production (2015) and after obtaining my Bachelor's degree in Biology and Ecology (2020) I decided to change my environment to improve my knowledge in permaculture and to improve my English level before starting my Master's degree in Agronomy and Environment. With this in mind, I went to Kotten in the Netherlands.
When I arrived, I couldn't communicate in English, so it was really difficult for me to fully develop my skills. But in less than 3 months I made a lot of progress. I remember one day during the tea break I was making jokes and Gea answered "you make jokes now in English, congratulations". After this language barrier I was able to start to develop better in my tasks. I also learned new things about permaculture and a new culture. I have a lot to say about how direct they were. A quality of my daily life now.
Today I am a graduate in Agronomy and Environment."
MATHILDE (20) from France (September 2020 - July 2021)
"I arrived at the farm on a sunny day in September 2020. At this time I was only 20 years old and I was the first ESC- volunteer ever for Gea! Everybody welcomed me with open arms and a big smile. I come from France and I learned quickly the Dutch language through the OLS platform and through Dutch coffee breaks with everybody!
I spent so much time on the land, pruning, gardening, mulching, harvesting the delicious vegetables after seeing them growing through the months. At Aarde-Werk I've learnt how to take care of the life that I was surrounded by, and was taking care of me. I learnt how to say thank you to a plant when it gives you so much abundance, and how to consider all the life and the small insects that are part of the permaculture process.
The place is not perfect of course, people come and leave but they also grow and learn. Aarde-Werk de Stegge is such a special place that Jan-Willem and Gea have designed through the years and thanks to all the help they found on their way. Living there has sowed a seed inside of me, and now it has become a beautiful plant who wants to spread other seeds! You can see my movie on YouTube."
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