idealist.org

eHomemakers is piloting a community-based tourism project in Tambun village, Ipoh, Malaysia. This project will allow the community of pomelo farmers in Tambun village to obtain alternative income from their traditional farm income. Margins obtained from farming income are increasingly low due to exploitations from the middlemen. This project will allow the community to deal directly with tourists while at the same time providing homestay hospitality that would like to experience the lifestyle of pomelo farming. Our posting iin 2008 in idealist.org has resulted in a few dedicated volunteers who gave their time to build various components of the project. see.www.tambunfarmstay.org
We are in need of someone to recruit more farmers to join the project, check out their facilities and guide them to establish farmstay, train them in hospitality/sanitation/health/hygiene/solid waste management, trouble shoot and monitor their progress so that they can manage the farmstay on their own. Volunteers should love the outdoors, photography, professional experience in at least one area of the training areas mentioned above (community level), background experience in community-based tourism is preferred, can write profiles well and have computer skills such as podcasting. The person/couple should be willing to multi-task to be effective.

Volunteers will also spend some time at the eHomemakers headquarters in Kuala Lumpur to help in other projects in other areas to give them a farm break. Type and extend of participation will be based on volunteers' experience, background and interests.
Duration: 2- 6 months
Program costs: eHomemakers will provide the volunteer with accommodation (homestays), 3 meals a day & local travel allowance. If international volunteer/s, they will need to cover their own flights.

Please send a cover letter, resume (include up to 3 references), and some photography/ writing samples to Sheau Ching Chong: scchong@ehomemakers.net