About 90 mountain families need help, Caritas said on Wednesday. They are struggling because of factors including illness, accidents, pregnancy, bad weather or urgent need for construction work. It says the number of volunteers is lower this year because foreign travel is possible once again.
The relief organisation is looking for mentally and physically healthy people aged 17-70 who can lend a hand and appreciate an insight into a new world. It says this volunteer work often leads to lifelong friendships.
Caritas often intervenes to help farmers in need. Volunteers, often from abroad, can opt to work on farms with particularly low incomes. There’s a lot to do, such as milking cows, making hay, raking stones, chopping wood and fixing fences. The farmers offer a rich learning experience against a backdrop of Alpine scenery.
Popular Stories
More
Swiss Abroad
How centuries of Swiss emigrants left their mark on the US
Bodycams: essential for good law enforcement, or a privacy risk?
Did you ever come across bodycams in your place of residence and if so, how do you think the use of bodycams alter the relationship between the public and (transport) police?
This content was published on
Swiss wheelchair racer Catherine Debrunner won the 5,000 metres to bring home Switzerland’s first gold medal at the Paralympics in Paris.
This content was published on
Trying not to slip while walking across a muddy slope, I wondered why farmers hadn’t sold out long ago and moved to towns for a more comfortable life.
Why urbanites in Switzerland give generously to mountain farmers
This content was published on
Identity and patriotism play a big role in motivating people in the cities to come to the aid of struggling Alpine farmers.
This content was published on
Swiss Mountain Aid last year funded over 500 livelihood projects in the Swiss Alps to the tune of SFr20 million ($18.9 million) to help people carve out an existence in the tough alpine environment. “Huge solidarity is essential to keep the mountain regions alive,” Hugo Höhn, director of Swiss Mountain Aid, told a media conference…
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.