My stay at Finca Noah!
I drove up to Finca Noah with a positive nervousness. I lugged my suitcase up the beautifully manicured driveway to the finca. I have to admit, when I reached the top I thought to myself for the first time:
Oops! I think I need an oxygen tent! 😊 Of course, I didn't want to let on and tried to look as "cool" as possible. 😊
I was warmly welcomed by many dogs and the whole team!
Farah explained the whole process to me and we went on a tour, during which I was able to get to know all the animals. In the evening, I was allowed to "work the sacks" for the first time! As an "office git", I have to say that this is really hard, precise and physical work that is done here. After two hours of wiping and cleaning, I've already got two blisters on my hands! 😊 I thought to myself, just don't attract attention with my bound hands!
I was then able to relax in Casa Jeannine, which is furnished with a lot of love and style and is located directly on the finca among the animals. The accommodation offers everything you need. However, the toilet is about 50 metres away. This could perhaps be a problem for "homebodies".
The working day starts at 08.00 in the morning with tasks such as feeding the animals, cleaning the enclosures, cleaning, scrubbing, mopping etc. The time flies by and you are really exhausted afterwards. The time flies by and you are really exhausted afterwards. But it is always rewarding to feel the joy and gratitude of the animals. You're also proud when everything looks really clean again afterwards! In the afternoon you have time for yourself and can relax or cuddle with the animals. In the evening, from 18:00 - approx. 20:00, the evening round takes place, during which the animals are fed again and the enclosures are cleaned.
However, I would like to make it clear that anyone who thinks I am going there to stroke and cuddle some animals and occasionally swing a cleaning rag is completely out of place here.
It is important to Farah that you work precisely and she really takes everything very seriously here. If you can't handle this attitude, then you've come to the wrong place!
If there was no order or a precise schedule with around 200 animals, the finca would never look like this. I'm talking about a level of cleanliness where you could eat off the floor without any problems, and this with 200 animals.
You have to imagine how much work goes into it! I have the utmost respect for the whole team and admire their work very much. I would also like to see many more people like them who care as much about the welfare of animals as they do about their own.
So if YOU are motivated and don't mind getting your hands dirty, then you are the right person to help out here.
The animals will thank you with their joy and love.
All the best to the whole team and thank you for letting me be a part of you for a short time
Nathalie