Student Name: Ahmad Hatoom

Student ID: 80200014

Course Name: Community Engagement and Volunteerism

SSW211

Dr Name: Firas Azzam

Semester: Spring 2021-22

What is volunteerism?
Volunteering is the practice of giving one's time and skills to help other people and organizations
rather than just for financial gain. Volunteerism in the workplace refers to the tactics and
instruments that employers use to support employees who wish to volunteer.

Many organizations offer paid time off for volunteering, usually one or two days each year. The
corporation may also mobilize its own resources to allow the entire organization to volunteer for
a good cause, such as a web design company devoting a portion of its time to constructing
websites for charity.

WWOOF (World Wide Opportunities on Organic Farms):

Worldwide Opportunities on Organic Farms (WWOOF) is a global movement that connects
visitors with organic farms, promotes cultural and educational interaction, and works to develop
a global community that values ecological farming and sustainable principles.
History:
WWOOF began 50 years ago and has now evolved to a global community of hundreds of
thousands of individuals. National WWOOF organizations grew independently in countries from
the outset, but with a shared aim to educate people via hands-on and exciting cultural exchanges,
and to help local farmers who feed their communities and train the next generation of farmers.

The Federation of WWOOF Organizations (FoWO) was founded in 2012 to serve as a

democratic organization enabling national WWOOF organizations to collaborate globally. The
purpose of FoWO is to unite, promote, protect, and assist the WWOOF movement worldwide.

Activities:
Hosts:
If you have a farm, smallholding, garden, allotment, vineyard, or woods and adhere to organic or
sustainability ideals, you may want to consider hosting WWOOFers.
Our volunteers can provide an extra pair of hands to assist you with various jobs. Many of our
hosts use Permaculture or Biodynamic gardening techniques. Some hosts earn a living from their
land, while others are homesteaders seeking self-sufficiency. Some are families, while others are
individuals. We also have cooperatives, communities, and eco-villages on file.
Hosting WWOOFers can be quite fulfilling because you are teaching people about organic
producing techniques. You'll also be showcasing a different way of living. Many WWOOFers
are so moved by their experience that they change their lives and even start their own organic
farms! As a host, you help to improve communication and growth within the organic movement.
To host WWOOFers, you must first join WWOOF in the country where your farm is located.
Volunteers:
You usually live with your host and are asked to participate in and collaborate with their daily
activities. In most countries, 4-6 hours of fair-trade labor is exchanged for a full day's food and
lodging.
You may be requested to assist with duties such as sowing seed, composting, gardening,
planting, cutting wood, weeding, harvesting, packing, milking, feeding, fencing, mud-brick
making, wine making, cheese making, and bread making.
The duration of your stay at the farm is entirely up to you and your host. Most WWOOF trips
last one to two weeks, while others can last as little as two or three days or as long as six months.
The first stage in your WWOOFing adventure is to select a place and join the appropriate
WWOOF organization. As a member, you will have access to a database of farms in your chosen
country and will be able to begin making arrangements.
WWOOFing is a great opportunity to meet new people and learn about different ways of living.

WWOOF chose some countries that mainly meet with it’s plans such as:
Ireland: There are sheep, vegetables, and lush rolling hills all around. Furthermore, there are
approximately 200 hosts to pick from. Ireland is an expensive place for budget travelers, but
WWOOFing can make the vacation more affordable. As an English-speaking country, this is an
excellent choice for all English speakers, while the strong accents in rural parts can be difficult to
understand at times, particularly for non-native speakers. The entire country is covered in
beautiful foliage, and the moderate weather is generally nice year round, so you can WWOOF at
any time.
Italy: Another popular location for vineyards, olive groves, and beekeeping. The country is
extremely popular with tourists and honeymooners, but WWOOFing here will provide you with
a completely different view of true Italian culture, language, and lifestyle than the conventional
tourist route. You can learn about winemaking, olive picking, and other activities in this
Mediterranean country.
Costa Rica: A South/Central American country known for its organic farming practices, as well
as jungles, beaches, mountains, and waterfalls in a tropical climate. You may learn about
ecotourism in the best ecotourism destination. Costa Rica is an excellent winter WWOOFing
location.
France: There are plenty of vineyards for all you wine enthusiasts out there! France has around
1000 hosts, making it one of the top countries for WWOOFing. Work in a lavender field in the
south or learn how to prepare French bread at a boulangerie. Consider bringing your new French
baking abilities home to share with your family.
Nepal: Nepal is an excellent option for daring WWOOFers looking to combine farming with
adventure travel. On weekends off from harvesting local crops, consider touring Kathmandu or
immersing yourself in the Himalayas and trekking to one of the many gorgeous mountains
throughout the country. Treks can be pricey, but Nepal is generally an affordable destination for
most visitors.
New Zealand: Another English-speaking country with a spectacular environment and distinctive
farming opportunities. New Zealand attracts adventurers due to its diverse range of outdoor
activities. Bungy jumping, hiking, swimming, kayaking, climbing, surfing, scuba diving, rafting,
and skydiving are all options. In addition, Lord of the Rings aficionados can go to the hobbit
houses. If you're interested in working with cattle and don't mind a long flight, New Zealand is
an ideal place to volunteer.
South Africa: For those of you who enjoy fishing, there is a growing aquaculture industry. The
seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere, so if you wish to WWOOF in the summer
without sweating, South Africa has a pleasant environment during our summer months. Going on
a safari on a day off also sounds appealing.
USA: Whether you are a native or not, the United States is an excellent site for WWOOFing due
to its diverse weather, landscapes, and agricultural goods. There are around 400 hosts in Hawaii
alone! Furthermore, WWOOFing domestically (if you live in the United States) is an excellent
method to reduce living expenditures (bye, rent!) while exploring your own backyard and honing
a range of talents. You won't have to pay for that expensive foreign flight, making domestic
WWOOFing an extremely cost-effective choice.

Distributions:
Africa: Malawi, Togo, Nigeria.
Americas: USA, Canada, Chile
Asia-Pacific: Australia, Bangladesh, China, India, Japan, Korea, Nepal, New Zealand,
Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand.
Europe: Austria, Belgium, Czech, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy,
Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Serbia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, UK.
Volunteering Program Analysis:
Requirements: Most farms need volunteers to be at least 18 years old, with no upper age limit;
however, in some countries, younger volunteers may participate if a guardian writes a statement.

Because each country has its own WWOOF organization that defines the standards, all
requirements must be confirmed. Farmers may also have unique needs, which will always be
indicated in the request for volunteers.
Duration: WWOOF volunteering is a program of volunteering and cultural exchange, thus
volunteers do not work full-time, but rather 20 to 30 hours a week, with the option of negotiating
these hours as well as the total period of the stay with the host farm.

Some farms have a minimum stay of two weeks, while others have no minimum or maximum
stay, but it is crucial to remember that a longer period is more useful for both the farmer and the
volunteer, rather than spending two or three days every farm.
Destinations: WWOOF is present in several countries, however others do not yet have a
representative. We recommend that you look at the map on the official website to see if your
country is included in the program. This map also shows the farms that have registered and are
ready to accommodate volunteers.
Costs and Supports: To find host farms in different countries, you must first create an account
and pay a fee to the WWOOF of the nation in which you wish to volunteer. This quota varies by
country; for example, in Portugal, the price is 20€ and is good for two years; however, a
WWOOF Portugal account is not valid in other countries, and volunteers must register an
account in each nation where they wish to volunteer. This option can be a little pricey depending
on the type of vacation, therefore we recommend you read the Work away page as this may be a
more cost-effective choice.
Benefits of WWOOF:
Meeting New People: This is by far the most enjoyable aspect of WWOOFing. You will not only
develop strong relationships with your hosts, but you will also frequently make friends with
other volunteers working on the farm or people in the town. I formed close friendships with all of
my hosts on all three farms where I worked, swapping recipes, language practice, travel
experiences, and plenty of laughs. And I've been fortunate to meet other volunteers who have
become lifelong friends and travel partners. Not many farms will accept multiple WWOOFers at
the same time, but if socializing is essential to you, this is something to look into.

Learn New Skills: I never expected to understand the intricacies of Argentine wine production,
but after a few months on the vineyard, I learned more than I could have dreamed about farming,
cultivation, harvesting cycles, and sustainable water utilization. While I don't use these abilities
in my daily life, I find that knowing how food is grown and where it comes from has given me a
more holistic view of agriculture and how I may be a more conscientious consumer.
Practicing New Language: Depending on where you go and your language talents, you may be
able to learn a new language or practice one you've already studied. When I spent time on farms
in Argentina and Uruguay, I was already competent in Spanish, but I took advantage of the
opportunity to interact with my hosts by exchanging English language help for some rudimentary
tuition in the local indigenous language, Guarani.
While free bed and board is appealing to many volunteers (including myself), the experience you
can get is far more valuable. It's not only a highly cost-effective way to travel, but it's also a one-
of-a-kind method to have a fully immersive experience abroad.

Working Schedule and Duties: The hosts should not exploit you, but it is up to you to ensure that
this does not happen. Before you agree to volunteer with them, be sure you have a clear
understanding of your work schedule and duties.

Inquire about the type of job they want you to complete, the number of hours per day, and the
number of days per week. WWOOFers frequently complain about being overworked or failing to
learn new skills. Unfortunately, the business is unlikely to support you in this instance, so you
should do your best to limit your workday to 6 hours.
If you are being taken advantage of, you can always leave early. (I actually left a farm early due
to a lack of job.) Although this is an exceptional case, no one like the feeling that their time is
being squandered.)
Conclusion: As a global volunteering program, WWOOF provides engagement for all people
around the world with the countries they want to get experience in farming and taking care of
animals and the nature resources, and regarding targeting the youth, it provides a wide range of
opportunities for those who want to have experience in travelling to other countries while
ensuring to maintain experience in the farming sector.
References:
HR zone: What is Volunteerism?
https://www.hrzone.com/hr-glossary/what-is-volunteerism
WWOOF Youth Cluster
https://youthcluster.org/en/opportunities/international-volunteering/wwoof/
What to Know About WWOOFing Around the World(Anna Pedersen,2020)
https://www.gooverseas.com/blog/wwoof-around-the-world
WWOOF
https://wwoof.net

WWOOF International