¨The IMORA project catapulted me into a surprising nature that I didn’t know Spain could host. The place is full of birds that are very different from each other, the other animals are those raised and mainly are pigs, sheep and goats. Cows and horses can also be found. The activities I did in IMORA are very different and not always what I expected before leaving. Mainly there is the care of animals, which need a lot of energy to be fed and to be contained. The animals with us tend to be very calm and accustomed to the presence of humans by letting us approach them. Animals are raised primarily as a source of livelihood for the community. It is possible to have a vegetarian diet for volunteers, however, it is generally easier to share the same omnivorous diet as the host family, since small-scale livestock farming is part of the project’s self-sustaining lifestyle and well adapted to the local climate.
Equally time is spent on maintenance and green building. These jobs personally are my favorites, learning new techniques and knowing how to use the resources already present in the place is stimulating. Activities are divided into building a blackwater pool, maintaining roofs constructed with a local plan, building stone walls, and designing a goose shelter. Antonio and Sergio have a lot of experience and share their knowledge and experience with us.
On days off, however, it is always possible and pleasant to do hikes or visit nearby towns. Linda and Antonio always have lots of advice on what to do, and we shared a few days off together. Around the Jarilla there are many trails and points of interest excellent for getting to know the area better. Great place for those who are passionate about archaeology as it is very common to find ancient ceramics and some fossils!
I was happy to have the opportunity to spend two months in Spain and was welcomed as a friend. I wish all the new volunteers the best of luck!¨
-Lodovico-
