Helpful hands wanted: Caritas needs volunteers for mountain farmers!

Helpful hands wanted: Caritas needs volunteers for mountain farmers!

Schweiz - Caritas urgently is looking for volunteers this year to support the respective challenges of over 90 mountain farmer families in Switzerland. The requirements are particularly high in the summer months, which represent the most intensive time for agricultural businesses. Beaks of fate, illnesses and other unforeseen events require additional support, which is why Caritas conveys around 900 volunteers every year to help help. The most common volunteers are young women and retired people who want to get involved for a week or more. As reported [ots.at] (https://www.ots.at/presseaus-sung/ots_20250520_ots0018/caritas addiction to volunteers), these helpers make valuable contributions for work such as hay, milking, cheese, household activities or stable cleaning.

The number of volunteer weeks achieved rose to a total of 1,132 in 2024. These missions are free of charge, with Caritas ensuring food and logis. In order to work voluntarily, physical and mental fitness and an age between the ages of 18 and 70 are a prerequisite. Previous knowledge in agriculture or in dealing with animals is not necessary, which enables people from urban areas to be committed. Every third volunteer is under 30 years old, while the male volunteers are the age group for over 61 years.

versatile possible uses

volunteers can be active in different areas. In addition to the tasks already mentioned, there are other options, such as fences and stable work. These activities are not only important for the agricultural economy, but also offer a way for the helpers to experience physical activity and break out of the usual everyday work. Many are looking for such experiences to expand their skills and learn innovative approaches in agriculture. Abroad there are also numerous projects that concentrate on sustainable agriculture and attract volunteers, as the offers on Volunteer World.

In order to register for an assignment, interested parties visit the website www.bergetier.ch. Longer missions are particularly welcome because they help the volunteers to build routine and responsibility. In addition to working experience, the helpers can also make friends and become part of the community of mountain farmer families.