Since the beginning of 2004, 3 Rivers & Rosalie Forest has been welcoming volunteer workers from around the globe. The arrangement has proved to be mutually beneficial
RIGHT NOW WE ARE SEEKING DEDICATED GARDENING VOLUNTEERS
Our ecolodge is set in the heart of the rainforest, surrounded by pristine rivers and rainforested mountains.
Our excellent local staff do a great job running the lodge, but at the moment due to lack of resources our gardens have somewhat lapsed.
We are looking for volunteers who are happy to be dedcicated to getting the organic gardens gouing again, in an orderly system that will then be easy to maintain.
You would be expected to work about 30 hours per week, at differing times acording to the needs of the gardens. Maintaining gardens, planting new crops, and harvesting.
BUT your hours are very flecxible, and we wany both you and us to be happy.
Whilst you will be almost only in the garden, you may ocasionally be asked to give a small hand around the lodge in emergency situations, but you would be mostly in the garden. Working with locals and other volunteers, hopefully you will already know some tricks and be able to teach us a thing or two. The staff at the lodge and the other local peole living nearby are extremely frinedly, and enjoy meeting new people. You need to be able to take care of yourself. If problems arise, we are there to help, but mostly you are expected to cook for yourself, clean yourself, take care of your own laundry and other peronal needs. You must have a minimum level of independance, or you will not be happy here; we do not hold your hand, but happily guide you and be your friend. We are all busy, and each has their jobs to do. Playtime is another matter
Our volunteers have normally stayed for a month or two, and the arrangement has proved to be mutually beneficial.
We provide lodgings, normally a bed in the dormitory (or if you want privacy you may bring your own tent with you), and the volunteers help with all aspects of the project.
Depending on your particular skills, and our particular needs at the time, will determine exactly which work you do during your stay.
You may be asked to share what knowledge and experience you have with our small team of cool staff.Often you may need to be going to the local village, half hour steep hike from here, to organize or attend meetings, or take guests to the home stay hosts they may have chosen, or toi do your shopping.
In the office it may be bookings and reservations, accounts and e-mails, and customer information.
There is a volunteer young garden and plenty of space for more food to be planted.The food you eat is the food you grow, mostly. So you have a responsibility to yourself and the next volunteers to maintain your share of the garden work.
There is a customer communal kitchen in the forest, and a staff kitchen behind the restaurant; you are free to use either to cook your meals.
We provide free of charge all your food from the garden, and you can purchase the rest of your food at cost price in the village grocery store.
Alternatively you can get your meals at Steve’s restaurant at staff rates; EC$12.50 / US$5 for a full breakfast, EC$15 / US$6 for a full evening meal, EC$15 / US$6 for a cooked lunch, less for sandwiches.All volunteers and interns get two days off per week, and it is not likely that your days off will be the same as the other one or two volunteers that might be here at the same time.
Don't worry, you will not be overworked and will get plenty of free time to explore and enjoy our beautiful island.
You will need to be keen to learn and understand our environmental work, as most of our guests enjoy discussing our systems and learning how they work. They look to all of our staff to be able to explain things to them.
Many of our volunteers so far have also taken on their own little project to leave their mark on 3 Rivers and then Rosalie Forest. If you have any ideas or suggestions for little projects or improvements that suit your particular skills; and hopefully you enjoy, then let us know and it can most probably happen!If you are interested, now it is time to read our Volunteer's handbook!
If, however, we are not exacly what you are looking for, then you can find other volunteer opportunities at:
Ecoteer - Cheap volunteering Abroad www.Ecoteer.com
We also offer internships for students wishing to further their studies whilst volunteering here at the lodge. Click here for more information on the 3 Rivers internship.
So far, we have welcomed the following volunteers :
Bertrand and Céline arrived here as guests at the end of 2003, and settled in another village for a few months after that. In March this year, they returned to us and stayed for a few months as volunteer workers. They soon became an integral part of the team, and are now good friends of us all. They are French and so Céline's pet project was to help us translate all of the literature around the property, explaining our work and our systems into French. Bertrand installed our fantastic lazy bench, and made the volunteer encampment a special place to be, which has since been enjoyed by almost every guest.
July 2004 saw the arrival ofBrett Wilkow and Michael Bartelloni, from the USA. Having already visited us as a student for one our workshops, Michael asked if they could spend some time here as volunteer workers, to which I agreed. They became friends with everyone from day one, and were instrumental in the building of a new extension for our restaurant and bar area, and helped train some of our local staff in the use of computers.
"Hi, I'm Brett Wilkow and proud to say that I was one of the volunteers, here at 3 Rivers. I consider myself extremely lucky to have been able to contribute in the growth of this magnificent place. Although I only stayed for a month, it almost instantly felt like home. Come check out this beautiful place and these beautiful people. Three of my favorite things to do at 3 Rivers are hiking up to Grand Fond (the small village nearby) to meet local Dominicans, chatting with Jem (owner) over a great Dominican style dinner, and getting some sun along the amazing rivers.
But believe me, there is plenty more to do......see for yourself :) "
In August and September, 2004 we welcomed Andy Bass and his fiance Ehran on board. Andy played a major role in the construction of our new tree house, and Ehran spent a considerable amount of time researching and then preparing labels for each and every plant on the property, explaining their local and family names, as well as detailing their medicinal purposes and local beliefs.
February 2005saw the arrival of Jennifer Fellman, the daughter of a previous customer, who came to help our for a few weeks. Although she was only with us for a short space of time, her help in the restaurant was invaluable.
Jenny Schieldecker from Atlanta in the United States, did her thesis here whilst studying socially responsible architecture in Barcelona. SHe investigated the numerous squatter settlements here in Dominica, and the government's programme to assit those squatters in buying their land at affordable rates.
"Hello everyone, I’m Paul Laurin, and proud to have been a volunteer here at 3 Rivers in April and May 2005. Many thanks to Jem and 3 Rivers staff for their friendship. We worked together in the garden and the restaurant and shared complicity. I appreciated Jem’s conversation on sustainable living initiative. This project which involve communities is the essence of 3 Rivers commitment in sustainable eco-development. I am happy to participate in a way to this initiative by making the first solar cooking oven."
July 2005 saw the arrival of our first ever Dominican volunteer worker.
Ozayee Robin, from the village of Marigot, spent a month with us on work experience placement from his school, The CALLS school in Portsmouth. He became part of the crew in a very short space of time, and performed so well, he has now become a full time member of staff.August & September 2005 saw the arrival of Mr. Paul Osborne, our first New Zealand volunteer. Apart from getting everyone excited about his rented motorbike, Paul proved invaluable around the place, and gave assistance to each member of staff in various topics. He has left us now to continue his South-American travels.
Then came British born Jill, who helped run 3 Rivers while Jem was away in October and November 2005. She helped with most jobs around the place, and took a particular interest in the organising of the workshops.
In January 2006 we had the company of Steve Lyons, from my hometown in the UK. We met in the pub, and a few weeks later there he was, on 3 Rivers soil. He is a mechanic, and helped us massively with the conversion of a diesel generator to run on used veggie oil, at a local chicken farm. He also had an assistant volunteer with him called Joey, who lived in Steve's jumper for the duration of his stay.
Then came Paula and Bethaney, from Canada. They really made themselves parof the crew, and during their month long stay in March 2006, re-painted allof our cottages so they are now shining! They also had their own private mssion to photograph themselves with a Novak's bag. None of us ever want to see a Novaks bag again!
At the same time as Paula and Bethaney were here, we also saw the return of an old friend, Mike Bartelloni from Vermont. He returned to do his university thesis on Carib building technology, and in particular using those skills to build our new SLIC education centre . With many constraints, he managed to achieve a great deal, and the building would never be there had it not been for his hard work.
"Hi, I'm Jenny Gibbs from the U.K. I was a volunteer at 3 Rivers from May to July 2006, getting 'stuck in' with just about everything !
I spent the most wonderful time getting to know Jem and his crew, who were crazy enough to let me loose prettying up the Forest Retreat and becoming infamous for my coconut art obsession! In between working on loads of fun and varied projects, we even found time to celebrate my 21st birthday.
Being a volunteer at 3 rivers is the most enriching experience - I've never been so sad to leave a place!
"Hello everyone, I’m James Pulver, and proud to have been a volunteer here at 3 Rivers in July and August, 2006.
I got involved in a little of everything, and in particular helped Laura Zac and Jenny fix up the dormitory to new international standards - no leaks and no holes for the dogs to get through!
Zac Andereck is a student at Miami University in Ohio, another university that has close ties with 3 Rivers and SLIC. Having already stayed at 3 Rivers earlier in the year as part of the annual Miami student group, he returned to Dominica to work on his university thesis: A study of landslides in Dominica. He was a great help in all aspect of 3 Rivers life. Some of his maps are on the maps section of this website, and the rest of his project can be read by clicking here.
"Hello everyone, I’m Laura Russel , and proud to have been a volunteer here at 3 Rivers in July and August, 2006.
I got involved in a little of everything, and in particular helped James Zac and Jenny fix up the dormitory to new international standards - no leaks and no holes for the dogs to get through!
Hi, I am Jerome Born from Amsterdam, the Netherlands. I stayed here from October to Christmas 2006. I first started out helping in the garden, kitchen en restaurant. And then Jem discovered that I could help with a new Reservation system. So, I designed an Accounts- en Reservation system and helped training the staff to use it.
At the same time I presented Jem my idea of the HolyCabin® . Together with Keith we started building in November, but unfortunately I could not stay long enough to see the finalizing of my project. The ‘HolyCabin® (www.holycabin.org) is a cabin to meditate, say your prayers, chant or do any other ceremony. By the way, you can do some excellent Yoga on one of the remaining platforms… but the HolyCabin® you can find in the forest, near the new double level treehouse.
I very much enjoyed my stay here with the very kind staff and the fine people of Grand Fond! The pool was my favourite shower of all times!
My name is Dom, and I've been a guest several times here at 3 Rivers before becoming a volunteer. As well as re-developing this website, I helped in all aspects of the daily chores of the resort, from cooking to doing the paperwork. I also helped with staff training.
Throughout my stays here, I saw a lot of projects developing, the hydroelectric system, the lighting of the Forest Retreat. Today, I am amazed to see how 3 Rivers has grown up while keeping true to Jem's vision of sustainability and ecotourism. I'm proud to be a part of this team. I've come across most staff members and a lot of volunteers; I took great pleasure in working and spending time with them (with the odd exception out of course).
Dominica is a true paradise; 3 Rivers is the perfect place for relaxing, enjoying and respecting the nature, even when working hard. Whether you're a guest or a volunteer, you'll enjoy every moment of your stay here.
In May 2007 we met Christina Sasser from the University of Oregon, Environmental Studies department. One of the reasons she was accepted as an intern was because of her passion for organic farming, permeaculture and sustainable living. She has proved an important asset, and gave an enormous ammount of assistance in the gardens, teaching us a few new tricks, and learning our own ones. She made herself part of the team instantly, and put her best into everything she got involved in, including helping to organise a new job shift system, our new restaurant menu, and our 2007 Eco Club community award application for a school garden in the local village of Grand Fond.
"I've had such a great life experience here at 3 Rivers. My internship gave me the opportunity to practice the bio-intensive method, do hands-on work getting projects going, and to meet really wonderful people from Dominica, and all over the world."
Click here to see her excellent slide show of the time she spent in Dominica.
Chris Thompson is a student at Miami University. As much as I enjoyed learning about, and participating in, the routines that keep 3 Rivers in operation and simultaneously eco-friendly, I would have to say that I will miss the friends I made there the most. Not only the other workers, who I view as a sort of second family, but also other Dominicans, particularly in Grand Fond, that I interacted with, came to know and who trusted me enough to include me in their daily lives. Like others before me I have been moved by my experience here and will never forget it. Special thanks to Jem for allowing me such an opportunity and for creating such a special place : June-July 2007
" Hi, I’m Sim (Simeon Lagier) and I came to 3 Rivers as an intern to complete my studies in the tourism industry. I ended there because I’m interested in ecotourism, and small structure business, but also because I am very lucky!!!
My purpose was to learn about sustainable hotel management, and to put in application the teaching from university. But more than that, I have learned to build bamboo houses, to maintain a renewable energy system, to take care of an organic garden, to cook for the guest and attempt at the restaurant and the bar, and so many unexpected skills. In one word, I have learned to run a small eco-friendly hotel.
I have also lived a great human experience. The staff welcomed me so warmly and took care of me as a family, I will never forget. Dominica is a small island, but if you are curious and ready to open yourself, you will discover a world far from everything you know. No word can describe, only experience can tell… So once again, thanks to 3 Rivers, and all Dominicans that made my stay one of a kind.
Nicolas Olivier, has become a true friend and part of the 3 Rivers team. He first came over the bridge to see us in 2006 as a regular guest. Since then he has returned numerous times, and he has worked hard to set up his own organic farm here in Dominica. Each time he returned he helped more and more on the project, and has helped every single member of staff in all kinds of ways, from reading lessons, to driving lessons, to buying chocolate on his little overseas trips. He has also integrated himself into our local comunity and now runs successful adult eduaction classes in Grand Fond, assisitng anyone who wants the help. 3 Rivers owes gratitude to Nico, for all his assistance in implementing our management training programme and organisational structure. WELCOME ALWAYS, NICO.
We are George and Megan, and we came from Arizona USA. George is a wildland firefighter and Megan is a photographer/conservationist.
While volunteering at Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge we helped repair some structures that were damaged by Hurrican Dean,and just helped out with the daily activities of the Eco Lodge. We loved bathing in the mermaid pool everyday, and that is actaully where Megan learned how to swim! We made many great friends and had many wonderful experiences! We both look forward to many returns and many great memories to come!
Hi I’m Michelle Mackassey
I came to Dominica chasing a dream – and I wasn’t disappointed.
My role as a volunteer varied greatly due to the changes going on but included signposting the forest. I have had the most amazing six months here and I can’t believe they went that quickly! The people are friendly the dogs are lovely and the scenery is breathtakingly beautiful. I left with fond memories of an Island I grew to love – I would come back today if I could!
Thank you for giving me that amazing opportunity.
I am Eric Strickler. My 3 1/2 months spent at Rosalie Forest Eco-Lodge were some of the most valuable and insightful that I had ever had in my 22 years. I had many opportunities to not only be around the locals of Dominica, but engage with them daily, and learn many of the interesting and wonderful things that their culture had to offer me. Rosalie Forest encourages an open, friendly, courteous, and relaxed atmosphere with its guests, staff, and volunteers, and this was very valuable for me. There has never been any other times in my life when I was able to become part of such a serene and peaceful environment, to truly relax, and thus learn many things about myself.
From the smells of the forest, to the heavy summer rains, to the many good times spent in the villages of Dominica enjoying good drinks and company, and to the crystal clear rivers that engineer the landscape of the area surrounding Rosalie Forest, the place will be with me forever. My hopes are also that Rosalie Forest will be around forever for as we move farther into the 21st century the values brought to light at Rosalie Forest, and the sustainable technologies that strive for harmony between some kind of modern lifestyle and those values, will only increase in importance.
Angus Rose - My stay at Rosalie forest was a fantastic experience, I only spent a month at Rosalie forest but my time was thoroughly enjoyed. I saw huge progress in the property during my stay, made some excellent friends and got to see many aspects of on of the most beautiful islands I have ever been on... Dominica. From learning how to do laundry to measuring a hydro-electric system in the surrounding rivers, working at Rosalie forest gave an all-round experience of running and maintaining an eco-lodge from conversing with guests to running errands, all aspects were experienced and then I discovered Dominica. Hitch-hiking on the back of pick-up trucks, climbing water-falls and witnessing a Saturday night in the local village of grand fond! I thank Jem hugely for letting me stay with him and was made very welcome, the experience was one I will soon not forget!
Hey everybody, It's Rossy Henriquez and Coline Naudy. We met each other as a volunteer at Rosalie Forest Ecolodge, became really good friends ever since and enjoyed ourselves everyday with our fellow team members and the locals. We wish you will get the opportunity to have a wonderful stay here as well.
Coline: I come from France , I am 23 and I wanted to have an experience in ecotourism, I will never forget this stay in Dominica, I just spend two month , but enough to learn a lot and to feel really good!
Rossy: I’m 21 years old and come from the island of Curacao. I had to do a management placement as part of my Intl’ Hospitality & Tourism study, and because of my interest in nature and sustainable tourism I chose to come to this unique place on earth that gave me an experience of a lifetime!
Coline: Every day, I was surprised more and more by this wonderful place, nature is unbelievable! And living everytime in nature, breathing clean air, eating fresh fruits, swimming in the clear river, walking in the forest, I feel step by step in a really best shape!!
Rossy mon: On top of all these wonderful natural experiences, it’s the local people as well that make this the place to be! They are so warm and welcoming, and you can start meeting them around the lodge and nearby villages. You’ll learn so much from them that you will appreciate the life you live in!
Coline: Yeah Man, one of the best thing of my stay was to meet a lot of local people, all are really nice and respectful men, I want to thank all of them to teach me a lot about the way to live with nature, and the way to think the life.
Rossy: I was really satisfied with my internship here, got a good overview of how to manage such a place within the sustainable field and received all the guidance needed from Jem, the managing director. During the four months I stayed here, it felt great to contribute towards a greener future and be an important example within the industry… and it still feels good!
Coline: How to make an Eco-Lodge… that is what I wanted to learn, and in two month, I learn a lot about sustainable living, sustainable energy, and I was lucky to participate to a workshop (solar panels) and to make an organic garden!
Rossy mon: If you’re luckily enough to come work here as a volunteer, you can learn about all the small important processes, of each department, that are a routine here at the lodge. They are as important as the processes you’ll encounter in major hotels around the world, or maybe even more important since the one of the lodge take the environment highly into account!
Coline: Jem, a great man !! He surprised me every day by his story and the dream he is realizing, He teach me to stay optimist every day and to keep my dreams. To work with him helped me to have more assurance.
He is really busy with his work but always available to answer to all your questions and to help you. I want to thank him for everything!!
Rossy: Yeah Jem, thank you for all the time you spend with us! You are truly amazing. Keep up the good work and we wish you all the best with your future endeavors.
Everyday we could notice improvements at the Eco-Lodge which really motivated us, so we wanted to help more, more and more. We never wanted to stop! Time went too fast. We will come back in Dominica and at Rosalie Forest Eco-lodge for sure, one of the best places in the world!
“Hi my name is Jill Parlee and I’m calling from the Dominica International EcoFest” – That was my pitch for nearly three months, and probably the best three months of my life! Dominica is a captivating island and the Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge is THE location that supports the ideals of this Nature Island. It was the perfect setting to jump into true island life, and not just the touristy business as on most Caribbean islands. (And you may be asking me…but isn’t Rosalie Forest a hotel?) Well yes, sort of. It’s really a getaway that puts you into the middle of the jungle, into the true Dominica which IS still in many parts and ONCE WAS in some others. Rosalie Forest supports itself through living in harmony with the land and the people. And this is much thanks to the marvelous efforts of Jem Winston. I was so happy to learn and live with Jem. He is the master of all things renewable and sustainable! But above all I was blessed to help bring to life his vision of the first annual Dominica International EcoFest 2009. I learned so much from all the wonderful people that made the event possible. And for that week we had fun! We had stimulating discussions, brilliant presentations, enlightening workshops, beautiful music, lots of dancing, and all the while enjoyed the beauty all around us through hikes, turtle watching and just hanging out. Granted it rained, A LOT, but that seemed to bring out the vitality and sincerity in everyone to truly give their best to the moment. And I have given my heart to Dominica.
Hey my name is Josh Haimowitz - I volunteered at Rosalie Forest Eco Lodge in the summer of 2009, when I was 21 years old. I grew up in Teaneck, NJ, located about ten minutes west of New York City. I am a double major in Evolutionary Anthropology and Physics at Rutgers University, as well as an avid musician. Dominica is a unique place with its own distinct culture, sights, and music. The month and a half I spent volunteering for Jem was unforgettable; I met all sorts of cool people and learned all about sustainable living. The local village is a half hour hike and has all a variety of social events that allow to to be truly immersed in the Caribbean culture. There are freshwater rivers, beautiful waterfalls, and dazzling views. Mermaid Pool was a great place to sit around and play guitar, for those who are so inclined. Come to Rosalie Eco Lodge and spend some time in the jungle and hopefully I’ll see you next EcoFest.
At one with nature, secluded and safe in the jungle
